Canonet QL17 light meter issue

[nillvurt]

Hi,

I just got a canonet ql17 and a weincell 625 battery, but can't get the light meter to work. This is what I have tried:

I made sure the battery worked (voltmeter). I checked that it was inserted correctly. Nothing worked; neither battery check light, or meter.

I examined the terminals, everything was very clean.

I checked for continuity by testing resistance when connected to the two sides of the battery terminal. I got continuity (~1100Ohm) when i pushed the button, but no continuity between the two terminals, even when aperture ring was set at A.

I took of the bottom cover off and disassembled the battery compartment. The solder connection to the negative loose "plate" was solid and insulated. I put electrical tape on the back side to keep it from touching the camera chassis. It seemed like the metal spring clip (+) was meant to touch the chassis. I still can't get the meter or light to work. Is the light sensor burnt out? Or what is a common problem except for what I have tried.

Any help is much appreciated! Until then, sunny f16 rule it is!

Thanks,

Daniel

 

[taemo]

did you set the aperture to A?
metering only works when you set Aperture to A

 

[gb hill]

did you set the aperture to A?
metering only works when you set Aperture to A

That was my thought too. If it doesn't work you can use sunny 16 rule for outdoors. Meter ain't worth a crap indoors anyway, least mine's not.😉

 

[Jack Conrad]

One possible fix.
I had a Nikon FE that had a problem like yours. Couldn't figure it out. Then I cleaned the screw threads on the cap and the body really well and it fired right up.

 

[Gerry M]

Sometimes the bottom contact doesn't protrude upwards far enough to make good contact with the battery case.

 

[Dwig]

...
I examined the terminals, everything was very clean...

Just looking isn't good enough. "Dirty" contacts often look clean. The gases vented by an aging battery can leave a clear, invisible film on the contacts that will prevents the current flow.

Clean the contracts with a rough cloth (avoid real abrasives) and, like others have said, check that the contacts actually press against the battery.

Other causes can be more serious. The switch contact that disables the meter with not in the A mode can get dirty and fail. The cell can fail. The battery test switch contacts can fail. ...

... for the adventurous: http://www.pentax-manuals.com/manuals/service/g-111_17-4.pdf

 

[nillvurt]

Thanks for the input guys,

I did have it in A when I checked, and I'll try cleaning the contacts and let you know how that works.

 

[nillvurt]

Tried cleaning the contacts to no avail and I seem to have contact.

I'm traveling in Europe, and my repair options are bit limited, so I'll stick to the f/16 rule and explore the issue more when i get home!