pentax slr mx --short circuit?

pentax mx on shelf for 2 yrs. no batteries. upset with zx50 results so pulled it down and installed new batteries. problem is that the meter diode remains on all the time. in order to save the batteries i have to remove them.
i always liked this camera and i can never fathom what made me buy the zx50. my wife's point and shoot takes better pictures than the zx. anywho--i wonder if anyone else has run into this and what did it cost to fix. i would hate to junk the camera if i can possibly avoid it. i tried locking the shutter which normally turns off the meter but to no avail. constant turning it on and off doesn't even register a flicker on the led. thanks in advance. I am the original owner and the only problem the camera had was the hot shoe which conked out about 5 yrs ago. had it fixed. see ya.

The meter is turned on with a half pressure on the shutter release - is the shutter lock partly turned and stopping the button resting in its normal position?

Otherwise, could be a faulty switch on the shutter button or on the wind lever, which enables you to have the meter permanently on when pulled out slightly, and a quote for repair looks likely to be needed.

vigorous pressing and releasing shutter button (without winding on) may clear electrcial contacts- worked for me. But I also had to rewire meter - battery circuit due to corrosion when camera got splashed by the sea

Wouldn't like to try that mwith my MZs, but nice to have the MX as a backup

Good luck

Kevin

Hi,
An easy cure for this (courtesy of the Camera Repair Forum) can be found here http://ca.geocities.com/spirope/mxmlu.htm.
Much better than "vigorous pressing and releasing shutter button (without winding on)"

Kim