Pentax MX flash sync no longer works

[newfilm]

Hey guys, Okay... maybe suddenly sound a little over dramatic, what really happen is a few days ago while needing a flash to be able to get some low light indoor picture I mounted my flash on my MX I realise it does not fire!

So, few days later when I finished the film in the camera I gave it a try again without film to try to get it to fire my flash, and found the following symptoms:

1) hotshoe (not fire)
2) x-sync socket (not fire)
3) fp-sync socket (fire!)

and then I remember I did read something like that described by a pentax user (and I again remember seeing a picture of where to clean the flash sync contact)

I tried googling around, yes there are a few post about exact/similar problem, but alas no pictures! :bang: I don't think I'm imagining things, the picture must exist somewhere, does any of you gentlemen remembers seeing such post/pictures describing the place to clean the flash contacts?

and again, many thanks again for any pointers!

 

[Dan Daniel]

Maybe this will help. The diagram calls out the X sync switch as being under the front panel above the self-timer.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums...ussion/311985-location-mx-flash-contacts.html

I did a search with the following string: pentax mx flash contact cleaning

Under images this brings up one photo that links to the above discussion a ways down the page, and says that the photo is from page 2, but I can't get to p. 2 on the site. Maybe you'll have better luck.

 

[newfilm]

Yup, I've seen the above post, and too unable to get to page-2, maybe the illusive picture are hiding in page-2! argh!

 

[Dan Daniel]

Again, I used this search string: "pentax mx flash contact cleaning" I switched to 'images' and this was down the page a bit. I am using duck duck go so maybe other search engines give different results.

In the background is the front of the MX with the cover plate removed on the self timer side of the lens. So the prism is to the top and the mirror box is to the right. Remove the self-timer lever (reverse threading), peel back the leathertte (fairly strong material that will peel up if you go slowly), and remove the cover plate.

That's all I got. Good luck.

 

[newfilm]

aha! this was the image I've seen and was in my mind! many thanks!

so it is confirm that there is a switch behind that self timer (and I am not imagining things) I just need to crack it open and have a look see, sounds like a weekend project I guess! 🙂

Ok, after dinner while sitting down staring at my MX sitting on the table I figure weekend is still rather far ahead, I should give it a go try to fix it now since I have some time before bed time, and the following is that I've done, might help some one:

to get to the x-sync behind the self-timer peeling the front leather cover is not enough.
1) first remove the top plate
2) remove the 4 screws that secure the lens mount plate on the body (leave the lens mount alone, the entire plate that cover the front can then be lift up and WATCH OUT for the tiny WIRE and WASHER behind the plate (i did a mistake here and soon going to be begging for help in another post)
3) once the front plate is lifted, you can now access the x-sync switch like the above pictures describe, I left it in place and stick a piece of paper in between the contact to rub out the oxidisation.
4) and after testing with a meter, the contact are now working again! and the flash does fire afterwards when I put then back together!

many thanks guys!

 

[johnnyrod]

I need to do this, I have the exact same problem. I read somewhere the contacts are something special that resists the build-up of corrosion (due to the spark on separation of the contacts) but time takes its toll.