Canonet GIII QL17: sticky frame counter

[juggler]

Hi,

I have a Canonet GIII QL17 that has a frame counter problem.
It was working fine for a few rolls until the problem came up.

Problem:
- frame counter no longer moves.
- when film door is closed, the 1st four strokes of the winding lever does not engage the gear and I can keep winding on. However film is actually advanced inside and I can take pictures.

Having read a recent discussion (click here) about a frame counter solution, I took another look at my problem and found it could be different nature. I managed to deduce something but found no solution.

I suspect that the winding stroke is not far enough for the catch to be engaged in the gear to cause the counter advance. For when I gave a slight push on the number wheel in clockwise movement, the catch engages and the gear movement is locked from moving backwards after a forward winding. See attached pictures.

I am not sure if my suspicions are correct or I missed out something.

Anyone know how to work this out? Appreciate any help. Many thanks!

[RicardoD]

For sure you will be able to figure this one out. Can you see anything inhibiting the travel of the feeding claw? I wonder if it just needs some cleaning to reduce some friction in some areas. Good luck hopefully others with more experience can help.

[juggler]

Ricardo:

Thanks for your input. It was your findings that prompted me to check my camera again.

Now, looks like if I pulled the left claw very slightly to the left, it can also cause the right claw to be engaged in the gear. If that's the case, maybe some spring had lost some of its tension. Wonder which one... ?