AI 2023 v27.2 embedded grayscale image assigned a PMS color is printing as negative of image

I have a package design where I have a masked grayscale image that I assigned a PMS gray color to. When printing to full size on a tabloid extra page on Xerox C70 with Fiery, the image prints as a negative! Actually only portions of the image. Where it aligns with some elements, it prints correctly. When assigned CMYK gray, it prints correctly.  I tried troubleshooting by 1) removing other elements that align with the region that is printing improperly. It helped only when I removed everything else that aligned horizontally. 2) I then redrew the mask to form fit the image so that the item no longer had to rest underneath elements, but instead could be the top layer. It did not help. 3) I then, to save toner and paper, chose to print at 50% to letter size paper, and removed all other elements and slowly added the elements back in. At 50% it ALWAYS printed properly! 4) I then tried printing the complete file at 75% to letter size. and the file went back to printing the image in negative.  5) I then tried to save the file as a PDF, and then print at 100%. That did not help.  6) My only things that I have not tried yet are A) Try placing the image instead of embedding.  B) Try an autotrace and hope it maintains tints of the PMS color.  
FYI, this happened also prior to the latest update, so that is NOT the issue. CAN anybody help here? I am at a loss other than trying those 2 other things. This is sooo strange.  Photo with my iphone below.