Minolta Autocord take up spool will not turn

ggray79 · Oct 18, 2023

The take up spool that receives film leader will not rotate while loading film. Shutter is not cocked and crank will not turn. Last roll finished normally and rolled up on the take up spool normally after rotating the crank after the 12th picture was shot. Any ideas how to unfreeze the spool and crank? Thanks!

John Wiegerink · Oct 18, 2023

ggray79 said:
The take up spool that receives film leader will not rotate while loading film. Shutter is not cocked and crank will not turn. Last roll finished normally and rolled up on the take up spool normally after rotating the crank after the 12th picture was shot. Any ideas how to unfreeze the spool and crank? Thanks!

Did you try turning the crank in the opposite direction and then trip the shutter?

dxqcanada · Oct 18, 2023

After you opened the back ... did the counter reset to the red triangle or does it still show 12 or circle?

DWThomas · Oct 18, 2023

Not familiar with the Autocord, but some cameras have a counter reset that's supposed to actuate when the back is opened and then closed with the new film in place. If that reset action doesn't occur it might mess things up; e.g., does the counter show it's back to a start indication?

ggray79 · Oct 18, 2023

John Wiegerink said:
Did you try turning the crank in the opposite direction and then trip the shutter?

Will not turn in either direction.

ggray79 · Oct 18, 2023

dxqcanada said:
After you opened the back ... did the counter reset to the red triangle or does it still show 12 or circle?

Red triangle

dxqcanada · Oct 18, 2023

Ok, so the counter reset ...hmm, sounds like gears jammed

dxqcanada · Oct 18, 2023

Minolta – winder side

I have not had an Autocord that I needed to repair the winding gears, but I do clean the gears underneath. Tools: dental chisel, pointy tweezers, and slotted screw driver. You will note that my Aut…

oldcam.wordpress.com

ggray79 · Oct 18, 2023

DWThomas said:
Not familiar with the Autocord, but some cameras have a counter reset that's supposed to actuate when the back is opened and then closed with the new film in place. If that reset action doesn't occur it might mess things up; e.g., does the counter show it's back to a start indication?

I believe it is where it would be when I turn the crank to advance to the number one frame.

ggray79 · Oct 18, 2023

dxqcanada said:
Minolta – winder side

I have not had an Autocord that I needed to repair the winding gears, but I do clean the gears underneath. Tools: dental chisel, pointy tweezers, and slotted screw driver. You will note that my Aut…

oldcam.wordpress.com

Good article! I will try opening it up and see ok I can get it to release.

Dan Daniel · Oct 18, 2023

ggray79 said:
Will not turn in either direction.

With back open?

dxqcanada · Oct 18, 2023

It has been a while since I took apart an Autocord ... I have a feeling that the shutter cocking arm may be stuck. Normally without film in the camera you are able to turn the winding mechanism freely ... it will turn and attempt to charge the shutter ... so either something is jamming the gears or the shutter mechanism is jammed.

Dan, would be able to add further advise.

Dustin McAmera · Oct 18, 2023

There's this in the Autocord group at Flickr; note it's not the first link, which is dead, but the second one, half a dozen posts down.

AutoCord

For anyone shooting on a Minolta Autocord TLR!

www.flickr.com

ggray79 · Oct 19, 2023

Dan Daniel said:
With back open?

Open or closed turn either direction.

ggray79 · Oct 19, 2023

ggray79 said:
Open or closed turn either direction.

Will not turn whether back open or closed.

grain elevator · Oct 19, 2023

I seem to recall that flipping the double exposure switch and releasing the shutter fixed this issue for me. Worth a try?

John Wiegerink · Oct 23, 2023

grain elevator said:
I seem to recall that flipping the double exposure switch and releasing the shutter fixed this issue for me. Worth a try?

grain elevator, it seems you might have solved the OP's problem. Unfortunately we don't know cuz the OP has left us hanging with no reply to your suggestion. I just hate that!!!!

ggray79 · Oct 25, 2023

John Wiegerink said:
grain elevator, it seems you might have solved the OP's problem. Unfortunately we don't know cuz the OP has left us hanging with no reply to your suggestion. I just hate that!!!!

John Wiegerink said:

grain elevator, it seems you might have solved the OP's problem. Unfortunately we don't know cuz the OP has left us hanging with no reply to your suggestion. I just hate that!!!!

Click to expand...

sorry, we have been traveling, and I have been separated from the camera. I tried that technique, and it did indeed let the crank reverse turn for the double exposure per the manual. Unfortunately, it did not cock the shutter. Thanks!

John Wiegerink · Oct 25, 2023

When your are reconnected with your Autocord see if the shutter release button feels hard or soft when you push it after turning the advance. Could it be the shutter is cocked, but not tripping? Oh, and thanks for getting back to use. I and many other really appreciate that.

ggray79 · Oct 26, 2023

New phone and I realized I am not Getting alerts when y’all post. I will try to set that up. We are still traveling and away from camera. Thanks!

John Wiegerink · Oct 26, 2023

ggray79 said:
New phone and I realized I am not Getting alerts when y’all post. I will try to set that up. We are still traveling and away from camera. Thanks!

OK, have a fun and safe trip.

ggray79 · Oct 30, 2023

I got the side off and was able to get the crank and takeup spool to turn and it seemed to be acting as if it was ready for shot 1. However, the shutter did not cock. I repeated all of that with the same result. I do not want to work on the shutter, so I am talking to repair guys about repair or sale. Thanks for all of your help on this thread.

aconbere · Nov 3, 2023

@ggray79 You might not have to mess with the shutter in order to fix the issue. The crank arm communicates the movement of the arm to charging the shutter on the front through a ring that is set under the shutter. That ring has a little lever attached to it and it isn't uncommon for that lever to slip out of place

You can check the fitment by removing the front control assembly that sits over the lenses. This is held in place by 4 screws under the leatherette on the front (Edit: AND the head of the flash sync lever which needs to be unscrewed). Once off you should be able to see if the charging ring lever is making good contact.

ggray79 · Dec 12, 2023

... ship to the lower 48 only.

Minolta Autocord take up spool will not turn

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