Many thanks Kris...looks like its a trip to the repairers for me then. Hope they can still get the part.
Bernard thanks for the photo- mystery solved. Not sure if this is better or worse than an electrical fault but at least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Bob

Hi,
Checked with a multi-meter and no current appears to be flowing (batts check o.k.)
Absolutely no sign of power getting to the camera.
Camera does fire at X- speed so mechanics are o.k.
Looking into the battery compartment there is a steel side terminal to pick up the +ve edge of the battery but at the bottom of the compartment there just seems to be a dark grey soft pad which is presumably the negative terminal?
Not sure how this works though unless it is some sort of graphite material.
Anyone able to advise me if this is correct or should there be a secondary steel terminal across the base of the compartment?
Bob

Thanks for the tips Bernard & John.
Terminals are nice and clean and I thought the same as regards battery orientation- so I tried both ways without success. There is a little illustration of the correct way to insert the batts i.e. with the +ve sign visible viewed from the bottom of the camera. No joy I'm afraid.
Bob.

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and just decided to revisit film photography of my youth by kitting out with an LX + prime & macro lens. Bad start I'm afraid though as my LX won't power up. I have replaced the batteries but still as dead as the proverbial. Anyone any idea of the problem? and most important is is repairable?
Bob