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Minolta Autocord take up spool will not turn

ggray79

Member
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Apr 16, 2022
Messages
95
Location
Texas
Format
35mm Pan
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?
 
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.
 

Good article! I will try opening it up and see ok I can get it to release.
 
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.
 
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
 
I seem to recall that flipping the double exposure switch and releasing the shutter fixed this issue for me. Worth a try?
 
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?
Click to expand...

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!!!!
 
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
@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
  • Deleted
  • Reason: sale thread by non subscriber
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