Sekonic L-398A not working

[Yuan Francois]

https://imgur.com/4K4jwaH

Purchased a non working sekonic l398A on eBay for cheap hoping that I could fix it. The seller didn’t know what the cause of the problem was but basically the meter reading is really low. I’m not even sure it’s detecting light at all. I’ve played around with the zero adjust but to no avail. The high slide is out and in the picture above ive locked it into constant reading mode to show that it isnt taking any readings. Id like to hope that the amorphous photosensor hasn’t died and sending it in for repair is not an option since I live in the Caribbean. Any suggestions?

 

[Arvee]

You need to open it up and put a voltmeter on the two leads coming from the cell. Should read about 0.4-0.5 volts in bright light if the cell is good. If you can confirm that the cell is good then look for a broken wire to the meter movement. If no broken wire to the meter movement then most likely the fine wire used in the manufacture of the d'arsonval meter is broken. GL on the repair.

 

[ic-racer]

Have you repaired these before? Where did you get the new photocell, I have been looking for a source.

 

[John Koehrer]

Doesn't a Selenium cell depend on a Clean contact between the cell and case?
If you hold the meter with the dial facing up and swing it from side to side will the needle move at all?
If not, the needle may have been knocked out of it's pivot. still fixable though.