Could be the microswitch under the apron messing up. Have something similar happening on my Xenon since the actuator is missing, doesn't put a ball in the shooter lane when the credit button is pressed. Though sometimes it would randomly work.
Microswitch in ball trough causing problems:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/80s-bally-ball-delivery-area-switch-xenon#post-1114514
Disconnecting microswitch under apron for ball trough may have no ill-effect?:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/for-sale-xenon-bally-1980-1985#post-2971192
When you hit the start button, does the game go out of attract mode? Player 1 display showing "00" for the score & it's just not putting the ball into the shooter lane? Or is it still cycling scores in attract mode?