MINOR REPAIR QUESTION: New-to-me Pentax K-x DSLR

[ME Super]

I recently acquired a new-to-me Pentax K-x DSLR for a song and dance (about $80 USD). No software or cable with it, but both the 18-55 and 50-200 kit lenses! The only thing I can find wrong with it is that the e-dial which is used to change shutter speed in Tv and aperture in Av mode is flaky. I've read that this is often just dirty contacts, and one can remove the batteries, spray a little CRC contact cleaner (the kind I have available to me is the QD (quick dry) variety which reportedly leaves no residue behind) in the cracks around the wheel and give it a few spins left and right and let it evaporate.

Quick, can anyone think of a reason why I might not want to do this?

 

[Kino]

Should be OK. Supposed to be safe on plastic. Just don't over do it!

 

[shutterfinger]

I've been using CRC Quick Dry Electrical Contact Cleaner for years and it has never damaged anything.Spray liberally and don't worry.

 

[jtk]

Don't be "liberal" with it. Use as little as you can get away with.

 

[shutterfinger]

Don't be "liberal" with it. Use as little as you can get away with.

While I would not soak the camera in it several short spray burst in a short period of time will do no harm.
Do remove the battery from the camera before using and allow adequate time for drying. I would also hold the camera so that the switch gets the cleaner without it running down inside the camera.
The MSDS: http://docs.crcindustries.com/msds/3130.pdf

 

[wombat2go]

I had that problem on some of the ist-d_ series. It was commonly reported of pentaxforums at the time.
I don't know how similar the e-dial position or type is to the K-x, but on ist -dS it is close to the corner of the sensor.
Also that e-dial switch is in a position under the wheel in front of a plastic cup shape, that it would be unlikely to have any spray reach through gaps in the rear cover, without running onto sensor.
Taking these cameras apart is fraught with problems like wires breaking, a nasty flash capacitor and getting things re-aligned on re-asssembly
Dead ist-ds, ( not k-x) rear main board photo
https://app.box.com/s/js3wi81n8dgu36odpcmne0l7082o2154

This photo just taken with my last working ist-ds! I still use it in my workshop with an old AF500FTZ flash and a Vivitar 28mm 1:20 Close Focus lens.

 

[ME Super]

Hey everyone,
OP here. Thanks for your responses. It turns out, no disassembly or contact cleaner was required. You're gonna love this. I just sat down and spun the dial as fast as I could for about 5 minutes. It must've been enough, because it's working well now.

Thanks for your advice though. I would've used the cleaner sparingly and with the batteries removed, then let it sit for at least a couple hours so the cleaner could dry. I can't imagine that there would be a lot of air flow through one of these to allow something like that to dry.