Help with I-game, Bill validator comm failure

[TheAirBalancer]

I've been building an I-game machine and it appears the only hurdle left to have a full working machine is a "Bill Validator Comm Failure" error.
Here's what I know and have checked;

The BV is a WBA-12-SS. It is powered up and the two red LEDs are solid and don't blink (I think solid is good???) and all of the dip-switches are set to off. When the machine is initially turned on the BV does NOT make any sounds like it is initializing. The cash can has the door lock removed and I have connected the switch wires together that used to be for the lock. All of the remaining wires going to the BV appear fine and connected/intact. I have tried the BV CRC mismatch clear function in the menus and it says it is cleared. I have also tried the BV test option in the menus but the BV makes NO attempt to take a bill.

So, am I missing something?  I'm wondering if maybe the BV needs to be re-flashed or is perhaps defective? Appreciate any thoughts and help here!

[CVslots]

Is it flashed for IGT machines?

[TheAirBalancer]

Is it flashed for IGT machines?

Based upon what I'm seeing I want to say it isn't, but I have little experience with BVs... 

[rickhunter]

unfortunately with WBA12's it is impossible to tell what is flashed unless you hook it up to a computer with a JCM interface to read the flash information off it.  You could send the validator to someone who could flash it with IGT firmware and test it for you, but it may be cheaper to just buy a known working head/transport set.  WBA's are so cheap nowadays.

[CVslots]

Most people are courteous enough to put a sticker with the version number on it when they update them. Ay stickers on yours AirBalancer?

[TheAirBalancer]

The machine is currently not at my house so I can't look right now, but there was something written on the transport in marker. I wish I had snapped a picture. So, am I correct in assuming that the two LEDs being lit up and not blinking means there is no error? If so, then it would make sense that it's not configured for netplex and that's why it just sits there doing nothing?

[CVslots]

If it's not flashed for IGT (ID023/24), it just can't communicate with the machine to accept bills. It's basically speaking a different language than the machine is. Many times, by looking at the stickers, writing on the unit, you can tell what it's flashed for (not always, but most of the time). Since its only in the last few years that people outside of casinos started flashing the units for resale, most were done in casinos, and the tech would typically mark or label them.

[TheAirBalancer]

Update;

So, I purchased a replacement head and transport that's WBA13 w/ EEPROM and ID024 (was $35). The error has cleared  . Thanks Roz and Rick for your thoughts about this.

Sadly though I was trying to set up TITO and now have a "validation system failure" in the pending tilts. It doesn't hard tilt the machine though and is only visible in the menu screens. Then I noticed I'm missing the ribbon cable from the distribution box to the back plane.  But I'm thinking everything will work out once I get the cable.

[GameKingSlots]

You are only getting that error because the player tracking is not detected. You are OK It is normal.

[cowboygames]

So the ribbon cable between the power distribution box and MPU board isn't neexed for home use? Is this the same for S2000 machines also?

[GameKingSlots]

Only if you are using TITO...

[cowboygames]

As a side note, and getting back on topic, an improperly seated cash can can cause BV lock up

[TheAirBalancer]

I believe that the tilt is because I have it set for 'SAS system validation' (for TITO) and since the ribbon cable is missing, it's unhappy. Otherwise, there is no 'call attendant' pop-ups and the machine appears ready-to-rock, except for ticket validation obviously.

[TheAirBalancer]

Final update;
I installed the ribbon cable and the machine is now 100% functional with no tilts. 

So, it would seem the bill validator that came with the cabinet was not flashed for IGT or perhaps defective. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and help.