I chose to create a new thread using the most likely language that would likely be typed into the searches. Actually I'm concentrating on common misdiagnoses that regularly make the rounds of Nikkormat meter problem discussions. Specifically, the common diagnosis of the resistor ring having gone bad due to wear. I won't take issue with the possibility that it can and does happen, due to wear. The constant back and forth movement of the spring-loaded contact wiper rubbing the carbon ring and wearing it down to the base it is applied to.
But I have worked on many Nikkormats, and have never once personally witnessed this. I've always been able to settle down most, if not all of the jumpy meter needle situations by working in other areas. I have found of course, disassembly and cleaning of all contact surfaces and wipers to be the most common remedy. I do it as a matter of course on all Nikkormats that come into my hands, whether they exhibit meter jumpiness or not. This is tedious work and there is a definite procedure to it, and I discourage do-it-yourselfers from doing it. I won't list the possible damages that are easily done through DIY.
I have found that even after such cleaning, the meter can still be jumpy, so I have found that the on-off contacts in the top of the camera need polishing also. I sand them lightly with 1200 grit wet-or-dry.
Today I discovered yet another reason for jumpiness that can elude diagnosis. On this one, I discovered one of the little white plastic pegs had come out that hold in the 2-prong wiper in the resistor ring itself. This allowed the backside of the wiper assembly to protrude just enough to short out the meter intermittently. Always pay attention to the direction of your meter jumpiness. If it jumps to the + direction, it is a short. My remedy was simple minded but worked very well. I jamed a round toothpick into the hole where the plastic peg was and put a drop of CA glue into the hole from the other side and let it dry hard. Then cutoff the toothpick and lightly sanded it on the inside, and cut it off on the topside to match the other plastic peg. The backside (outside) of the wiper metal was no longer protruding to allow shorting, and the repair worked perfectly. I dare say it is more permanent then the original plastic peg.
I had a meter problem the other day where I concluded the meter movement itself was the problem, but I rarely see this. In fact it was the first time. Fortunately I had a Nikkormat carcass that had been robbed of just about every other part but the meter. Knowing that meter was still good, I transferred the entire meter assembly to the problem camera--resistor ring, cells, meter movement, electronics, wiring --everything. The transplant worked and I didn't even have to calibrate it.
So, the point of my post is that do not automatically accept the widespread internet diagnosis that the wiper ring is worn down. Yes, it can happen, but I have never seen it myself, but won't dispute it either.
But I have worked on many Nikkormats, and have never once personally witnessed this. I've always been able to settle down most, if not all of the jumpy meter needle situations by working in other areas. I have found of course, disassembly and cleaning of all contact surfaces and wipers to be the most common remedy. I do it as a matter of course on all Nikkormats that come into my hands, whether they exhibit meter jumpiness or not. This is tedious work and there is a definite procedure to it, and I discourage do-it-yourselfers from doing it. I won't list the possible damages that are easily done through DIY.
I have found that even after such cleaning, the meter can still be jumpy, so I have found that the on-off contacts in the top of the camera need polishing also. I sand them lightly with 1200 grit wet-or-dry.
Today I discovered yet another reason for jumpiness that can elude diagnosis. On this one, I discovered one of the little white plastic pegs had come out that hold in the 2-prong wiper in the resistor ring itself. This allowed the backside of the wiper assembly to protrude just enough to short out the meter intermittently. Always pay attention to the direction of your meter jumpiness. If it jumps to the + direction, it is a short. My remedy was simple minded but worked very well. I jamed a round toothpick into the hole where the plastic peg was and put a drop of CA glue into the hole from the other side and let it dry hard. Then cutoff the toothpick and lightly sanded it on the inside, and cut it off on the topside to match the other plastic peg. The backside (outside) of the wiper metal was no longer protruding to allow shorting, and the repair worked perfectly. I dare say it is more permanent then the original plastic peg.
I had a meter problem the other day where I concluded the meter movement itself was the problem, but I rarely see this. In fact it was the first time. Fortunately I had a Nikkormat carcass that had been robbed of just about every other part but the meter. Knowing that meter was still good, I transferred the entire meter assembly to the problem camera--resistor ring, cells, meter movement, electronics, wiring --everything. The transplant worked and I didn't even have to calibrate it.
So, the point of my post is that do not automatically accept the widespread internet diagnosis that the wiper ring is worn down. Yes, it can happen, but I have never seen it myself, but won't dispute it either.
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