Canon AE-1 Shutter issues

I have 3 Canon AE-1 Cameras each, with varying issues and I can't seem to find helpful information on the internet.

Camera 1 and 2:

The mirror is stuck in the up position, the lever won't wind, and the shutter won't release. I try manually releasing by toggling the magnet on the bottom, but it won't cause the mirror to move. I also tried shorting the magnet by touching the ground screw to the terminals, and it causes the magnet to move, but no mirror release. The light meter works. I confirmed that there was nothing jamming the winder by opening up the top.

Camera 3: Light meter doesn't work, nor does battery tester. Pressing shutter button causes nothing to happen. However, if I manually toggle the magnets, it causes the shutter to release. If I short the magnet, it also releases.

Thank you so much in advance for reading.

ChenzOnLenz said:

I have 3 Canon AE-1 Cameras each, with varying issues and I can't seem to find helpful information on the internet.

Camera 1 and 2:

The mirror is stuck in the up position, the lever won't wind, and the shutter won't release. I try manually releasing by toggling the magnet on the bottom, but it won't cause the mirror to move. I also tried shorting the magnet by touching the ground screw to the terminals, and it causes the magnet to move, but no mirror release. The light meter works. I confirmed that there was nothing jamming the winder by opening up the top.

Click to expand...

Sounds like mirror mechanism frozen because of lack of lubrication. A complete disassembly and CLA is needed.

ChenzOnLenz said:

Camera 3: Light meter doesn't work, nor does battery tester. Pressing shutter button causes nothing to happen. However, if I manually toggle the magnets, it causes the shutter to release. If I short the magnet, it also releases.

Click to expand...

Power is not reaching the circuits. This is most likely an electrical problem. Check out the battery contacts for corrosion, then most likely the wires around will need to be inspected. If there's corrosion there's a high chance of other things being corroded so the best is to fully disassemble the camera and clean everything.

flavio81 said:

Sounds like mirror mechanism frozen because of lack of lubrication. A complete disassembly and CLA is needed.



Power is not reaching the circuits. This is most likely an electrical problem. Check out the battery contacts for corrosion, then most likely the wires around will need to be inspected. If there's corrosion there's a high chance of other things being corroded so the best is to fully disassemble the camera and clean everything.

Click to expand...

I'm trying to teach myself how to repair the cameras. Is there a guide on how to completely disassemble the camera and properly lubricate?

Also, for Camera 3, I checked for corrosion near the contacts. I will remove the top and check there as well.

flavio81 said:

Power is not reaching the circuits. This is most likely an electrical problem. ..., then most likely the wires around will need to be inspected.

Click to expand...

Have you experienced broken wires in a cameras? I mean, the only stress they typically have to bear is their own inertia. But I can imagine a cause being corrosion at solder points near the batteries.