Nikon MD-4 motordrive stops working

[Jessestr]

So, I recently acquired a Nikon F3P with an MD-4 motordrive. Everything worked so far, but sometimes, the motordrive just stops working. It takes a pictures but doesn't advance, if I then press battery check, the lights won't turn on. If I get out the batteries, and wait a while put them back in. Everything works again.... until some point.

I already cleaned the contacts for corrosion. Tested with different types of batteries, rechargable, alkaline .. old and new...

Feels like there is a bad contact, but I can't repeat the problem. It just "happens". Anyone an idea what could be wrong?

Thanks

 

[cooltouch]

Motor drive problems can be tricky, I've found. I've got a couple of problem ones here right now that behave similarly to yours. Here's my advice: just buy another MD4. I remember, back in the early 1990s, when they were super expensive. Not no more. You can find clean MD4s these days for $40 or so. Sometimes more, often less. At those prices, it's cheaper to buy a replacement than it is to get yours repaired. Besides, a lot of repair places won't even do motor drives.

 

[shutterfinger]

I had a MD15 with a similar problem. I found a new battery holder and that solved the problem. The flaky battery holder checked good both on ohms and volts and all contacts appeared to be clean with no corrosion.

 

[BrianShaw]

Speaking from personal MD4 experience and identical symptoms, replace the battery holder.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Yeah, a crusty MS-3 battery clip can cause that.

-J

 

[Jessestr]

It was the battery clip, cleaned everything. Works fine now.