Pentax k-3 will not power on

pentaxic · 04-01-2021, 11:37 AM

Mine died a year ago, absolutely nothing worked . took the battery out and left the camera until about a week ago . used an A/C adapter and tried to light it up . to my surprise it works sort of . I can't open live or it doesn't come on by itself so no menu or preview etc. But i can use the view finder to focus and the shutter works in all functions I can see basic settings on the top screen. No flash either. In short I can take photos but no screen to preview adjust menu and flash. I can even use the 4way but can only see the basics in the top screen multi exposure ,remote etc. All I have to do now is get the live view working and flash most everything else appears to work.

**reduno** · 04-01-2021, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by pentaxic

In short I can take photos but no screen to preview adjust menu and flash.

Have you confirmed that a file is actually saved on the SD card? From my experience, it seems these cameras can hang if the CPU can't communicate correctly with one of the ancillary functions, rear LCD, GPS (on K-3 II), and likely the flash. Some other functions that don't use a serial bus still seem to operate correctly.

pentaxic · 04-01-2021, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by reduno

Have you confirmed that a file is actually saved on the SD card? From my experience, it seems these cameras can hang if the CPU can't communicate correctly with one of the ancillary functions, rear LCD, GPS (on K-3 II), and likely the flash. Some other functions that don't use a serial bus still seem to operate correctly.

that was my first indication that there was a pulse . When I turned it on I was hooked up to the A/C adapter & USB cord and could read the Flu Card which was the only one I had in there. I then put a card in port 1 and took a few pictures indoors . So has anybody got any ideas on how to bring back the live view etc. short of a taser and 19,000 volts to get its attention. Meanwhile I will use it through the Peep Hole and top LCD.

**reduno** · 04-01-2021, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by pentaxic

When I turned it on I was hooked up to the A/C adapter & USB cord and could read the Flu Card which was the only one I had in there.

That's good news if it can access the SD card. You indicated there was no display on the rear LCD screen. Does it look like the backlight on the LCD is turning on but the screen is black? You may need to be in a darker location to see the faint glow. When you activate live-view, does the mirror flip up as normal? Also, does the camera turn off straight away when the power switch is turned off, or does it seem to wait for the auto power off timer to expire? I certainly would not recommend zapping it with a high voltage discharge.

**ivanvernon** · 04-01-2021, 08:41 PM

K-3 failure to power on is a known weakness of this model, and much dicussed as to cause or cure. I had one myself. The usual cure is to drop it into the trash can or sell it for $75 for parts. Apparently Pentax replaced them for a while, but no more.

pentaxic · 04-03-2021, 05:05 AM

Originally posted by reduno

That's good news if it can access the SD card. You indicated there was no display on the rear LCD screen. Does it look like the backlight on the LCD is turning on but the screen is black? You may need to be in a darker location to see the faint glow. When you activate live-view, does the mirror flip up as normal? Also, does the camera turn off straight away when the power switch is turned off, or does it seem to wait for the auto power off timer to expire? I certainly would not recommend zapping it with a high voltage discharge.

The only visible thing it appears that does not work is the Live LCD & the internal Flash . Completely dark but the shutter is working up & down with the live view button , the ready light off & on with every thing (preview, live view etc.) the four way all functions that I can read in the top LCD are working except so far I can't read the flash settings. The mode wheel is working for what I can see in the top LCD. Rear focus is working . It turns off and on with the main even the grip aux buttons work. The hot shoe works with a AF360FGZ. When I try to change the flash settings the top LCD goes blank so I can't at this point anyway see what setting is on but the external is working at this point. The lens I have tried on it all work.

In a nut shell the back LCD does not work so no Menu Adj. Preview or any functions that rely on seeing the setting and the Internal flash not working but the hot shoe is. I can read both card slots through the USB harness and the battery , grip and A/C adapter all work. Any ideas on screen replacement or some other cheap repair . And Simpleton's Responses only please some of you techs on here give me a headache. My brain at 75 is very selective and violently rejects overload. Meanwhile I'll use it as is in TAv mode. I now can see in the top LCD the changes to the external flash using the 4 X .

pentaxic · 05-09-2021, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by pentaxic

The only visible thing it appears that does not work is the Live LCD & the internal Flash . Completely dark but the shutter is working up & down with the live view button , the ready light off & on with every thing (preview, live view etc.) the four way all functions that I can read in the top LCD are working except so far I can't read the flash settings. The mode wheel is working for what I can see in the top LCD. Rear focus is working . It turns off and on with the main even the grip aux buttons work. The hot shoe works with a AF360FGZ. When I try to change the flash settings the top LCD goes blank so I can't at this point anyway see what setting is on but the external is working at this point. The lens I have tried on it all work.

In a nut shell the back LCD does not work so no Menu Adj. Preview or any functions that rely on seeing the setting and the Internal flash not working but the hot shoe is. I can read both card slots through the USB harness and the battery , grip and A/C adapter all work. Any ideas on screen replacement or some other cheap repair . And Simpleton's Responses only please some of you techs on here give me a headache. My brain at 75 is very selective and violently rejects overload. Meanwhile I'll use it as is in TAv mode. I now can see in the top LCD the changes to the external flash using the 4 X .

The final Fix is in I have 99% of my K3 back functioning after being completely dead over a year ago. The internal flash didn't work but the hot shoe does so I use a AF200AG I had lying around and I now have Live View back with access to the Menu via a Lillyput 667 that I had bought used a few years back. I haven't completely tried my flu Card & Astrotracer yet but it appears to be functional as well (will try this summer). Total cost so far $0.00 as I had all the Jury Rigging lying around and repurposed them. So from over a year ago a completely dead K3 leaving the battery out for close to a year I now have my K3 (X) back.

**reduno** · 05-10-2021, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by pentaxic

The final Fix is in I have 99% of my K3 back functioning after being completely dead over a year ago.

Glad to hear that you managed to get sufficient functionality back. It sounds like the loss of the internal flash is not a big issue but having to use an external monitor I would imagine is a bit of a pain (especially out in the field). This could be a fairly simple fix (possibly a loose connection) but may take some diagnosis and replacement parts to fix. It certainly sounds like your issue is different to the normal completely dead K-3, where the main control board needed to be replaced.

Andrewgoodwin.photos · 11-29-2023, 10:16 AM

My k-3 died with under 10k shutter count … The QA on the first k-3 must have been 🚮 🗑️

**Mikesul** · 11-29-2023, 12:39 PM

Sorry to hear that. Very unusual but not unheard of. What do you mean by "died".

Andrewgoodwin.photos · 11-29-2023, 02:03 PM

It simply won’t turn on … the local fix it store said they would diagnose for $50 but I have a feeling its not just the power switch …

jgnfld · 11-29-2023, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by Andrewgoodwin.photos

It simply won’t turn on … the local fix it store said they would diagnose for $50 but I have a feeling its not just the power switch …

As I mentioned with one of your other posts elsewhere, try posting in this stream: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help - PentaxForums.com

04-01-2021, 08:41 PM	#125
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	K-3 failure to power on K-3 failure to power on is a known weakness of this model, and much dicussed as to cause or cure. I had one myself. The usual cure is to drop it into the trash can or sell it for $75 for parts. Apparently Pentax replaced them for a while, but no more.

04-03-2021, 05:05 AM	#126
pentaxic Junior Member Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 43	Originally posted by reduno That's good news if it can access the SD card. You indicated there was no display on the rear LCD screen. Does it look like the backlight on the LCD is turning on but the screen is black? You may need to be in a darker location to see the faint glow. When you activate live-view, does the mirror flip up as normal? Also, does the camera turn off straight away when the power switch is turned off, or does it seem to wait for the auto power off timer to expire? I certainly would not recommend zapping it with a high voltage discharge. The only visible thing it appears that does not work is the Live LCD & the internal Flash . Completely dark but the shutter is working up & down with the live view button , the ready light off & on with every thing (preview, live view etc.) the four way all functions that I can read in the top LCD are working except so far I can't read the flash settings. The mode wheel is working for what I can see in the top LCD. Rear focus is working . It turns off and on with the main even the grip aux buttons work. The hot shoe works with a AF360FGZ. When I try to change the flash settings the top LCD goes blank so I can't at this point anyway see what setting is on but the external is working at this point. The lens I have tried on it all work. In a nut shell the back LCD does not work so no Menu Adj. Preview or any functions that rely on seeing the setting and the Internal flash not working but the hot shoe is. I can read both card slots through the USB harness and the battery , grip and A/C adapter all work. Any ideas on screen replacement or some other cheap repair . And Simpleton's Responses only please some of you techs on here give me a headache. My brain at 75 is very selective and violently rejects overload. Meanwhile I'll use it as is in TAv mode. I now can see in the top LCD the changes to the external flash using the 4 X . Last edited by pentaxic; 04-03-2021 at 06:59 AM.

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04-01-2021, 11:37 AM	#121
pentaxic Junior Member Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 43	Mine died a year ago, absolutely nothing worked . took the battery out and left the camera until about a week ago . used an A/C adapter and tried to light it up . to my surprise it works sort of . I can't open live or it doesn't come on by itself so no menu or preview etc. But i can use the view finder to focus and the shutter works in all functions I can see basic settings on the top screen. No flash either. In short I can take photos but no screen to preview adjust menu and flash. I can even use the 4way but can only see the basics in the top screen multi exposure ,remote etc. All I have to do now is get the live view working and flash most everything else appears to work.

04-01-2021, 12:42 PM	#122
reduno Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central NY, USA Posts: 965	Originally posted by pentaxic In short I can take photos but no screen to preview adjust menu and flash. Have you confirmed that a file is actually saved on the SD card? From my experience, it seems these cameras can hang if the CPU can't communicate correctly with one of the ancillary functions, rear LCD, GPS (on K-3 II), and likely the flash. Some other functions that don't use a serial bus still seem to operate correctly.

04-01-2021, 06:55 PM	#123
pentaxic Junior Member Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 43	Originally posted by reduno Have you confirmed that a file is actually saved on the SD card? From my experience, it seems these cameras can hang if the CPU can't communicate correctly with one of the ancillary functions, rear LCD, GPS (on K-3 II), and likely the flash. Some other functions that don't use a serial bus still seem to operate correctly. that was my first indication that there was a pulse . When I turned it on I was hooked up to the A/C adapter & USB cord and could read the Flu Card which was the only one I had in there. I then put a card in port 1 and took a few pictures indoors . So has anybody got any ideas on how to bring back the live view etc. short of a taser and 19,000 volts to get its attention. Meanwhile I will use it through the Peep Hole and top LCD.

04-01-2021, 07:27 PM	#124
reduno Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central NY, USA Posts: 965	Originally posted by pentaxic When I turned it on I was hooked up to the A/C adapter & USB cord and could read the Flu Card which was the only one I had in there. That's good news if it can access the SD card. You indicated there was no display on the rear LCD screen. Does it look like the backlight on the LCD is turning on but the screen is black? You may need to be in a darker location to see the faint glow. When you activate live-view, does the mirror flip up as normal? Also, does the camera turn off straight away when the power switch is turned off, or does it seem to wait for the auto power off timer to expire? I certainly would not recommend zapping it with a high voltage discharge.

05-09-2021, 08:58 PM	#127
pentaxic Junior Member Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 43	Originally posted by pentaxic The only visible thing it appears that does not work is the Live LCD & the internal Flash . Completely dark but the shutter is working up & down with the live view button , the ready light off & on with every thing (preview, live view etc.) the four way all functions that I can read in the top LCD are working except so far I can't read the flash settings. The mode wheel is working for what I can see in the top LCD. Rear focus is working . It turns off and on with the main even the grip aux buttons work. The hot shoe works with a AF360FGZ. When I try to change the flash settings the top LCD goes blank so I can't at this point anyway see what setting is on but the external is working at this point. The lens I have tried on it all work. In a nut shell the back LCD does not work so no Menu Adj. Preview or any functions that rely on seeing the setting and the Internal flash not working but the hot shoe is. I can read both card slots through the USB harness and the battery , grip and A/C adapter all work. Any ideas on screen replacement or some other cheap repair . And Simpleton's Responses only please some of you techs on here give me a headache. My brain at 75 is very selective and violently rejects overload. Meanwhile I'll use it as is in TAv mode. I now can see in the top LCD the changes to the external flash using the 4 X . The final Fix is in I have 99% of my K3 back functioning after being completely dead over a year ago. The internal flash didn't work but the hot shoe does so I use a AF200AG I had lying around and I now have Live View back with access to the Menu via a Lillyput 667 that I had bought used a few years back. I haven't completely tried my flu Card & Astrotracer yet but it appears to be functional as well (will try this summer). Total cost so far $0.00 as I had all the Jury Rigging lying around and repurposed them. So from over a year ago a completely dead K3 leaving the battery out for close to a year I now have my K3 (X) back.

05-10-2021, 09:35 AM	#128
reduno Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central NY, USA Posts: 965	Originally posted by pentaxic The final Fix is in I have 99% of my K3 back functioning after being completely dead over a year ago. Glad to hear that you managed to get sufficient functionality back. It sounds like the loss of the internal flash is not a big issue but having to use an external monitor I would imagine is a bit of a pain (especially out in the field). This could be a fairly simple fix (possibly a loose connection) but may take some diagnosis and replacement parts to fix. It certainly sounds like your issue is different to the normal completely dead K-3, where the main control board needed to be replaced.

11-29-2023, 10:16 AM	#129
Andrewgoodwin.photos Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Grass Valley Posts: 51	My k-3 died with under 10k shutter count … The QA on the first k-3 must have been 🚮 🗑️

11-29-2023, 12:39 PM	#130
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,591	Sorry to hear that. Very unusual but not unheard of. What do you mean by "died".

11-29-2023, 02:03 PM	#131
Andrewgoodwin.photos Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Grass Valley Posts: 51	It simply won’t turn on … the local fix it store said they would diagnose for $50 but I have a feeling its not just the power switch …

11-29-2023, 02:06 PM	#132
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,787	Originally posted by Andrewgoodwin.photos It simply won’t turn on … the local fix it store said they would diagnose for $50 but I have a feeling its not just the power switch … As I mentioned with one of your other posts elsewhere, try posting in this stream: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help - PentaxForums.com

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