K100D not working

My Pentax K100D has suddenly stopped working. It hasn't been bumped or dropped or anything. A few days ago I was still taking pictures, and then a day or two later when I tried it, it wouldn't work. When you press the shutter release button, nothing happens. No autofocus, no picture is taken, nothing. The only thing is that you hear a fairly rapid clicking sound, perhaps like a gear wheel turning or something. I tried various settings, new batteries, a different lens, autofocus, manual focus, even a different SD card, but nothing makes any difference. The people at the local camera shop couldn't do anything either. They just said I would have to take it to a camera repair shop. I'm not very impressed that an expensive camera bought in only August 2006 should give problems so soon.
Does anybody have any idea what could be happening and what should be done about it?
Many thanks.

Have you tried taking the batteries out and leaving them out for an hour or so so that any residual charge in the body can dissipate? If not, try that then replace the batteries with known good examples.

If that fails then you'll need to contact your local repair centre I'm afraid.

I would also suggest trying a new set of batteries.

I have a KM Z2 bridge camera that was bought to suppliment my film SLR and to see if I could "get on with" digital.

It to exhibited the same symptoms - I even took it back to Jessops from whence it came and was advised to replace it - which I eventually did with my K100D.

I recently tried a set of eneloops that I use in my K100D and the old thing worked!!

So before you send it off or take it in get a set of eneloop type batteries or even a set of Energizer Lithium's.

Hopefully that's all it'll need

MZ

Hi Hefty and Manix

I have tried two sets of freshly charged NiMH batteries (GPB, 2800 mAh) and then a set new lithium ones, and each time the result was the same: just that "wheel-turning" sound. Thanks for the tip about leaving the batteries out for a while. I'm doing that right now and will hope for the best.

By the way, I also got feedback from a problem-solving site that suggested the lens guide pin could be damaged or dislocated. Is that feasible? I have changed the lens a few times recently, always very carefully, but they've all been lenses that I've used with my film Pentaxes in the past. In any case I had been using the K100D a few days earlier, but then, without the lens being changed, the next time I tried it it wouldn't work.

Many thanks.

Hi again Hefty
Once again, many thanks for your interest and suggestions. Unfortunately, I've had no luck though. I left the batteries out well over an hour, but when I put them back (tried some rechargeable ones too) the result was the same.
By the way (as I mentioned in the lens section too) that sound occurs when the shutter release is pressed, and also when the DOF lever is pressed, when OK is pressed, when INFO is pressed, when AV is pressed and when the Delete button is pressed.

Ok, time for some daft suggestions,

I don't have a K100D, but what about :-

Is the MF/AFS/C lever in between positions ?
Try setting to Manual Focus and see if works ?
Take the Lens off and try to take a shot ?
If the Lens has an " A " setting is this set correctly ?
Try another Lens if you can ? if you don't have one, can u borrow one ?

Hi Chris
Many thanks for your suggestions. Unfortunately, I've tried all those (except the second-last: it doesn't have an "A" setting), but to no avail. All I hear is that bl**** tick-tick-tick sound, which is rapidly becoming a nightmare!
Your suggestions are very welcome. I'm glad to try anything until such time as I'm forced into the unwelcome option of driving miles to the repair shop, and then presumably again a few days later to collect - and the cost.
Thanks,
Errol

Given that it's not working and nothing seems to fix it have you tried a wee tap? This is my port of last resort when something doesn't work as it should. A wee tap. It will either break it entirely (well it doesn't work now) or if I'm really lucky knock things back into place.

It is a last resort however.

Mike

Try turning Shake Reduction off. It's the only thing I can think of that is likely to be making a noise such as you describe, other than the AF mechanism.

Hi Mike, Hi John

Many thanks for the replies. A wee tap, that's one I hadn't thought of, Mike. But I tried that with the camera facing up, down and all ways, but unfortunately it made no difference.

Thanks, John. I tried the Shake Reduction too, but the noise didn't change in any way.

Thanks, guys. It's starting to look pretty hopeless, isn't it? I fear I may have make a meeting with the repair man. What a pain.

Many thanks so far,
Errol

Does it make the same noise if you switch it on with no lens attached?

Hi Oggy

Yes. With this lens on or off, or another one, or with AF or MF set, or anything else, the noise is always the same kind of rapid ticking sound, perhaps like some gear-wheel turning. Something like that. I've just discovered via Dangermouse that it seems to have something to do with the autofocus. The little circular thing in the lens that's supposed to turn when you turn the focussing ring of the lens manually - that is, the thing that engages with the AF pin that protrudes from the lens mount on the camera body - doesn't actually turn with one of my lenses, but it does with the other. Weird. But in either case, the noise stays the same.

Thanks,
Errol

Sorry - end of that idea.

Thanks, Oggy. Just by the way, Kris has informed me in the lens section (I submitted the problem there too, from the lens angle), that the little coupling screw I was worried about not turning actually doesn't turn on "quick shift" lenses. So that's presumably not the problem after all.
Thanks, mate.
Cheers,
Errol

To all who may be interested, the repair shop has informed me that the Aperture Control Unit needs to be replaced. It's going to take 3-4 weeks to get the parts. Cost will be R1600 (that's around £140). Hmph.

By the way, does anyone know where I can find one of those exploded views of the inside of a K100D? I've seen one online somewhere before, but can't seem to find it now. It would be interesting to see what exactly this Aperture Control Unit thing is.

Thanks,
Errol