Nikon F-36 Drive Problem

farlymac

PF McFarland
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Jan 1, 2009
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I've recently come into ownership of a Nikon F/FTn with the F-36 drive, and was doing some work on it to see if I could get it working again. I've had some success on the camera itself, but the drive is another matter. (Have only done superficial work on the FTn finder, as I'm out of Wein cells at the moment)

I was able to get the circuits in the Cordless Battery Pack back in order with some rewiring. The problem I'm having is that when I depress the shutter release on the grip handle, all I get is a click from the drive. No grunt, or whir, just a click. And this is whether it is on the body or off. I have read the instructions, so I know that you have to turn the switch on the drive to L as the Cordless Pack overides it. Any ideas as to what the possible problem is?

Photos at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEipWJZ

PF
 
Update 20130313

Update 20130313

Despite my better judgement, I went ahead and tore down the drive. Still can't find a reason for the motor not to work. Added 23 more photos to the link in the previous post. Has no one ever worked on one of these?

PF
 
Update 20130314

Update 20130314

Got deeper into it today. Actually pulled the chassis out of the frame so I could get a look at the workings. Jumpered a 9v battery to the motor, and it runs. Then checked the diode, and it's okay. Cleaned all the contacts I could find, and put it partially back together. Still no run. But I put up 13 more photos and a video of the motor test. Knock yourselves out.

PF
 
Broke down and ordered the repair manual today. Supposed to be a rainy weekend, so will have plenty of time to sit and read.

PF
 
PF
I've never had anything like that to take apart. I'm wondering if you can put it part way back together and try the motor. Then if/when it doesn't work you'd have a good idea of what the last thing you assembled was and a likely source of the malfunction.
 
PF
I've never had anything like that to take apart. I'm wondering if you can put it part way back together and try the motor. Then if/when it doesn't work you'd have a good idea of what the last thing you assembled was and a likely source of the malfunction.

Way ahead of you on that one. Been there, done that. I've gotten a couple of wiring diagrams courtesy of Vicco, and that helped me understand the sequence, but they were from the earliest model, and mine seems to be of the second version. What I really need is to know how the levers are all supposed to be set at the start of operation, and to check that the contacts are open/closed in proper order. I have jumpered a 9v battery to the motor, so I know it runs.

PF
 
Woohoo! The repair manual arrived this morning. It's still not the same version as mine, but close enough.

PF
 
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