Thanks for the reply. The local Nikon tech did tell this to me after understanding the body was ok. He was binary in his deduction and helped by my queries, however sort of dismissed the possibility of fixing the lens. Since it will not work and cannot be repaired, i was ready to give it a go myself, but would need to know the part number of the motherboard so to get the right one. I also have the schematics manual of the lens.
Looking forward,
Michele