As I mentioned in a previous thread, this is a Nishijin B Sophia (Super Deluxe, Crab theme). The left and right tulips are exhibiting a problem that presents itself like this:


- Starting with the tulip closed, if I drop a ball (#1) into it, the tulip opens, but the ball doesn't result in a payout and it doesn't drop out of the machine.


- The next ball (#2) closes the tulip, results in a payout, and the ball (#2) drops out of the machine through the normal exit. However, ball #1 remains in the machine.


- The next ball (#3) opens the tulip, but the ball doesn't result in a payout and it doesn't drop out of the machine.


- The next ball (#4) closes the tulip, results in a payout, and the ball (#4) drops out of the machine through the normal exit. However, ball #3 remains in the machine (along with ball #1).


- And so on. The only way to retrieve the balls still in the machine was to use a method Moparformances described in another thread ("flip the machine upside down and tip it left to right a few times to get the balls heading the right direction...").


It appears that when the tulip is closed, a ball entering it takes a path over the lever and out the side hole rather than through the prongs. When the tulip is open, the ball goes through the prongs. Should the ball always be going through the prongs?

Any insights would be appreciated.