Nikon F3 Frame Counter not working

[Kirks518]

Nikon F3 with an MD-4. The film is advancing, both with the MD-4 and without it, but the frame counter is not working, whether or not film is loaded.
The button/pin inside the light trap goes in and out as it should, and even with the button held down, the frame counter still doesn't work. My guess if there is some issue between that pin and counter mechanism.

Has anyone encountered this, and what was the remedy?

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

You would probably need to take the top plate off to see what's up with the linkage. Maybe it was knocked on the top, or maybe it's just dirt jamming it up. Any dents would indicate a knock that could put pressure on that area. Is the counter at 0 or at 40?

 

[Kirks518]

Counter is at 0. No dents or marks of any kind on the camera anywhere. It seriously is in pristine condition except for this issue.

 

[shutterfinger]

Check that the rewind button is fully extended, 3.8mm ±.2mm (.15inch ±.007 inch) from the bottom cover. Remove the bottom cover and inspect the release and film advance operations. The majority of the film advance is under the top plate.
Factory Service manual(s) are available here: http://arcticwolfs.net/

 

[BrianShaw]

Is the shutter speed stuck at 1/80? That would be rather restricting.

 

[Kirks518]

Shutterfinger, I have another F3 so I can compare different things. The rewind button on the F3 that has the working frame counter has no effect whether in or out - the counter still advances when it (the rewind button) is depressed. It was the first thing I checked...

Thanks for the link!

BrianShaw - nope, no issues with anything other then the counter. Shutter is firing correctly at all speeds.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Try using a very slim stiff section of wire to activate the mechanical switch that resets the counter found in the slot of the rear door. If you have a slim enough wire you can apply light leverage to this switch which has a spring to also pull it out. Sometimes that works, often the very mint bodies have maybe seldom or *never* had the door open thus activating the reset.