Shutter Firing Issue with Nikon FE

I’m trying to resolve an issue with a Nikon FE. Shutter speeds slower than 1/60th second (and M90) consistently work. Shutter speeds faster than 1/30th second work inconsistently. The faster the speed, the less frequently it works. When it does not work, the mirror retracts, but the shutter does not open/close. I have to move the dial to M90 to open/close the shutter. Also, I found that if I push a small part in the mechanism inside the bottom cover, the shutter will open/close. I don’t have the cover off right now, so I’m not shure what the part was. But based on the repair manual, I think it was the pendulum, lock lever, or AR lever.

 

Batteries are fresh 357s. This occurs without any lens mounted. Camera was not at all abused but the only owner.

 

I read several posts about these cameras, but could not this specific trouble. This is not the lock-up issue as best I can tell.

 

One theory I had was that perhaps there was dust or similar in the mechanism. Might be shutter magnet, or a spring. So I shook the camera, and also shot some pressed air in the bottom. And I kept firing the shutter. I got it to the point last night where the only intermittent shutter speed was 1/1000th second, and all the others worked almost all the time. Then this morning I checked again, and I’m back where I started.

 

New theory is that some lubricant is gummy, and so when it was a little cooler in the morning, the problem recurred.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to get this camera reliably shooting at all shutter speeds?

 

Tom

There is a solenoid,or maybe two, hiding under the baseplate which can get gummy . Worth checking.

Feel free to update us if this works. It was itemised in a repair invoice for my FE2 some years ago. Camera still functions as new.

Feel free to update us if this works. It was itemised in a repair invoice for my FE2 some years ago. Camera still functions as new.

 

Ian, was the solenoid cleaned or replaced?

 

Did your camera have same symptoms prior to repair?

 

Thanks!

Tom

Cleaned. The camera lost all shutter speeds before repair.

Thanks, Ian.

 

I decided I did not want to take on this repair. So, I’m ordering another FE.

 

Appreciate the ideas.

Tom