Pentax Super Program Troubleshooting

The LCD in the viewfinder or on the top cover doesn't work.

Install new batteries in the camera to ensure that low battery voltage is not the issue. Batteries should be inserted with the negative side facing the battery compartment cover.

Check the contacts in the battery compartment. Old leaky batteries are a common problem and the acid can corrode battery contacts. Vinegar can be used to clean the corrosion.

Corrosion can also occur inside the camera. Remove the bottom cover and check the voltage at the red wire. It should be around 3.0 V. If it is lower, the connection to the battery compartment may be corroded.

The reflex mirror in the body of the camera is stuck in the up position blocking the viewfinder. The shutter won't fire and the advance lever is locked.

This is usually caused by a failure in the mirror box mechanism. After the shutter fires, the closing curtain triggers a latch allowing the mirror to return to its viewing position. As the camera ages, some of the rubber bumpers on the mirror box degrade and get sticky. The mirror return latch no longer moves freely at it gets stuck in the up position. The old rubber bumpers need to be removed and the mechanism cleaned (see Pentax Super Program Mirror Box Service).

There are also some small rubber components in the shutter unit that can degrade. Sometimes the residue will make its way onto the shutter blades and seize the shutter. In this case, the closing curtain of the shutter won't trigger the mirror return and it will stay in the taking position, locking the camera. See the guide on servicing the shutter of the Pentax ME Super to remove and clean the degraded components.

The advance lever winds continuously but is unable to cock the shutter. The camera won't fire.

This is a different failure mode but is also caused by degraded rubber on the mirror box. In this case, the latch that holds the mirror spring in the charged position gets stuck. The mirror can't charge, which also means the shutter won't fire. The old rubber bumpers need to be removed and the mechanism cleaned (see Pentax Super Program Mirror Box Service).

When the mode dial is set to 'M', the shutter speed adjustment buttons don't change the selected speed in the viewfinder.

The button contacts are located in the top cover. Remove the top cover and disassemble the mode dial and button housing. Clean the button contacts.

The button presses are communicated to the camera electronics through a set of contacts between the top cover and the camera body. The contacts may be dirty, oxidized, or misshapen. Clean the body-side and cover-side contacts.