Ok, so check this one out.

Whenever I pick T-X Challenge for the opening shot, it shoots and locks a ball into the ball lock trough - as if I just locked a ball leading up to multiball. After it does this, it loads a ball into the shooter lane and fires it into the PF - all the while - it HAS initiated T-X Challenge as well. So it's like it enables two modes in one shot.

Then, if I shoot the left orbital shot, there are two roll-over switches the ball activates. If that happens and then the ball falls into the "ball lock" trough, it will display one of two behaviors:

1. T-X Challenge mode activated
2. Locks a ball

Any ideas??? I am slowly diagnosing things, but I have other errands to get done (stuff to ship that people here have bought), so this is lower on my list of "to do"s until tonight. Figured I'd throw this out for brainstorming from some experts!

Small bump since I posted that at 2300 lastnight.

I think I figured it out. Let me do a small amount more of testing before I say anything. Once I know, I'll fire away to everyone here!

All right, I have played multiple games now, and I believe I have fixed the problem!

So, see Exhibit A:

100_6563.JPG

Focus on the "U" gate as I am calling it. It is what the ball passes through as it heads to the ball lock trough, and that "U" hits a activates a switch, telling the machine that a ball has been locked. That "U" gate was sticking in the "up" position, so everytime I started a game, the switch was already being activated, hence, why both modes were activating at the same time.

To fix this, I put some blue shop cloths down on my playfield, and I used this product:

http://www.krytox-distribution.us/product.asp?itemid=36&gclid=ckfssz3y9l0cfyzamgodbjiaeg

I sprayed maybe 4-5 tiny drops into the area where the "U" met the bracket it was sitting in, and then I flicked that "U" gate with my finger probably a good 25 times to make sure it was 100% functional. I then wiped up any excess (read: 1 drop) lubricant off of the bracket with the blue towel.

So far - so good! Hope this helps someone down the road!

And thank you to WeirPinball for suggesting "It sounds like a switch is stuck." Right on, I just had to find it !