Pentax ME Super Main PCB Replacement

ID: 176060

Description:

Steps:

  1. Wrap a piece of masking tape around your thumb, sticky side out.
  2. Turn the wind lever cap clockwise to remove (it is reverse threaded).
  3. Remove the wind lever lock ring (it is also reverse threaded).
  4. Remove the brass spring washer.
  5. A pair of fine tipped pliers or nippers can be used in place of a spanner wrench. Be careful!
    6. Step image Step image Step image
  6. Place a tool in the fork of the rewind spindle.
  7. Unscrew the rewind lever.
  8. Remove the lock ring with a spanner.
  9. Lift off the ISO/Exposure Compensation dial.
    10. Step image Step image Step image
  10. Ensure that the ISO dial couples with the tab on the resistor.
  11. Turn the Exposure Compensation to 1/4x then back to 4x while gently pushing down. This will help the dial engage with the detent mechanism properly.
    12. Step image
  12. Remove two 3.3 mm #00 screws.
  13. Remove one 3.2 mm #00 screw.
  14. Remove one 2.6 mm #00 screw.
    15. Step image Step image Step image
  15. Remove two 4.3 mm #00 screws.
    16. Step image Step image
  16. Lift off the top cover. The silver trim piece is loose and may fall away.
  17. Remove loose washer.
    18. Step image Step image
  18. The shutter pin is loose. Make sure it is in place before installing the top cover.
  19. The mode dial pin must be properly coupled with the mechanisms in the camera for it to work.
  20. Set the mode dial to 'M'. Place the top cover on the camera. Move the mode dial to 'B' then back to 'M' while gently pushing down.
  21. The mode dial should click into place and work properly.
    22. Step image
  22. Use a spanner or tweezers to remove remove self-timer screw. It is reverse threaded.
  23. Remove self-timer lever.
  24. Remove black spacer.
  25. Remove spring washer.
    26. Step image Step image Step image
  26. Remove two 3.0 mm #00 screws.
  27. Remove one 2.1 mm #00 screw.
  28. Remove loose plastic cover for motor drive pins.
    29. Step image Step image
  29. Unsolder two yellow wires.
  30. Remove one 3.0 mm #00 screw.
  31. Remove one 5.9 mm flat head screw.
  32. Lift off ISO resistor.
    33. Step image Step image Step image
  33. Unsolder one red wire (positive battery).
  34. Unsolder one pink wire.
  35. Unsolder one purple wire.
    36. Step image
  36. Unsolder the red and blue wires (positive battery). They may share a pad.
  37. Unsolder one gray wire.
  38. Unsolder one white wire.
  39. Unsolder one brown wire.
  40. Unsolder one metal contact.
  41. Unsolder one pink wire.
  42. The wiring in this area varies with ME Supers from different production years. You may need to document the wiring for your own camera separately.
    43. Step image Step image
  43. Unsolder one green wire.
  44. Unsolder one blue wire.
  45. Unsolder one red wire.
  46. On some cameras the wiring order may be green/red/blue.
    47. Step image
  47. Apply isopropyl alcohol to soften the leatherette adhesive.
  48. Use a dull scraper to left the edge of the covering.
  49. Peel the leatherette away and remove it from both sides of the camera front.
  50. Installation Notes: Use contact cement to reapply the leatherette. This should be the very last step in reassembly, after the camera is tested and functionality is confirmed.
    51. Step image Step image Step image
  51. Remove two 3.4 mm #00 screws.
  52. Remove flex PCB retainer.
  53. Remove shim washers. Note the location (left or right) and install in the same positions during reassembly.
    54. Step image Step image Step image
  54. Remove four 4.0 mm #0 screws.
    55. Step image Step image
  55. Temporarily replace the advance lever and cock the shutter.
  56. Gently lift the front block away from the camera body. Move slowly and look for wire snags.
    57. Step image Step image
  57. Cock the shutter on the camera body. The mirror box should be uncharged before installation.
  58. Twist the three motor drive wires together to easily insert them through the bottom of the camera.
  59. Carefully track wire routing during installation. Make sure nothing is getting pinched and that all wires are accessible for resoldering.
  60. Once the front block is in place, check the mechanical speeds of the shutter before completing the reassembly. The mirror and shutter should function normally.
    61. Step image
  61. Remove one 3.4 mm #00 screw.
  62. Gently work the LED strip out of the slot in the mirror box until it hangs free.
  63. The old dust/light seal foam will probably fall apart when the LEDs are removed. It should be replaced with new foam strips during reassembly (1.5 mm open cell foam with adhesive backing).
  64. Installation Notes: The LEDs will need to be realigned with the text in the viewfinder. Use the play in the screw to properly position them.
    65. Step image Step image
  65. Unsolder one gray wire (flash sync).
  66. Remove two 3.4 mm #00 screws.
  67. Slide eye piece out of its metal frame. It is still attached to the main flex PCB.
    68. Step image Step image
  68. The PCB is attached to the prism with double sided tape.
  69. Use isopropyl alcohol to loosen the adhesive and gently work the PCB free from the prism. Work slowly.
  70. Pull the PCB out of the slot connector at the base of the mirror box.
    71. Step image Step image Step image
Back