Switch problem with my Panasonic DMC FZ18 camera ?

Hi again. I decided to pull the camera apart, so downloaded the Service Manual off the web and went exploring !

Hope the following helps others, as I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON.

The manual WARNS (as its DANGEROUS to your health/life apparently) that you do need to take the charge out of the capacitors, and it is explained how to do this in the service manual.

Its a bit tricky to get apart if you are not methodical and patient, a good magnetic ultra small phillips (star) screwdriver is essential. I used wooden toothpicks and paddlepop sticks to disconnect and reconnect the several ribbon wiring connectors. The service manual shows where all the screws are, I think only 10 in total.

The top operation unit where the switch and programme dial are located slides out as a unit once the CB is removed.

It is a mechanical switch, and is able to be dismantled by bending back metal tabs, and the problem is.....it operates another CB switch below it via 4 x plastic tangs, one of which had broken off by the switch's sliding action over the years. So I turned the switch button itself around 180 degrees so that it has 2 x good tangs to do the work, put it all back together, and it works. The switch is not exactly robust in my opinion.

When it ( the tang/s) eventually breaks again, I will have to buy a new top unit or sell the camera off for spare parts. Anyone know how much a top operation unit is ?

I hope this post helps someone else, and remember to observe all the safety precautions regarding electrical shock in the Service Manual before disassembling the camera.

The cheap plastic parts that Panasonic uses for this switch cannot be repaired by a consumer. Mine went outalso, so I called Precision Camera and Southern Photo and both are well aware of the problem. It will cost me $150.00 minimum to repair. Pitiful for a camera with an 18X Leica zoom lens. Maybe Leica cost them so much they scrimped on control parts.