Hi, and thank you for the response. These are the same symptoms, but I tested the body alone last night by firing it without a back attached. Sadly, the problem persists. I read through as many old threads as I could find, and I noticed your earlier posts about the back problem. That caused me to try different backs, and then without. I do recall, however, there was a thread identifying a problem with a small linkage in the mechanism that surrounds the lens mount on the body. There were photos attached to show the problem part, and where to lubricate. It's not the gold contacts, but a moving part. I may need to send it off for repair, but would do it myself if it is simply a lubrication issue. The motor sounds fine when it is working.
Alex