Ok, now we finally get to the fun part of this repair. In this step you're going to remove the mode switch from the front cover and clean it with your DeoxIT spray. First you need to remove the screw on the plate that holds the mode switch to the front cover (see Frame 9, again sorry for the blur!) Now with the front cover held upright, with your screwdriver gently push on the mode switch from the inside so it pops out the top(actually bottom since it's upside-down) of the front cover (see Frame 10). Now lay the front cover down on the camera for the cleaning.

Frame 9

Frame 10

Frame 11

As you see (out-of-focus) in Frame 11, there is a small slot on the side of the mode switch, that's where you put the spray extension tube up to and give the switch a couple of short blasts of spray. Don't worry about getting spray on the plastic part of the switch or anywhere else, the chemical is not abrasive to plastic. You can wipe it off later. There is an identical slot on the other side of the switch, I would give it a blast of spray also just to make sure the chemical gets to all the contacts in the switch. Don't try operating the switch yet, you could end up damaging the ribbon cable. After you get the switch mounted onto the front cover, you can then move the switch through it's positions to clean all the contacts and get them lubricated.

Now push the mode switch back into it's hole on the cover, it has 2 flat sides on the bottom and the hole is the same so there is only one way it will go back into position. Make sure when you re-position the plate (that holds the mode switch) back into position that the little post on the bottom of the mode switch goes into the hole that is on the opposite side of the plate from the screw hole. You can see this hole in Frame 9. If you have this right, then replace the screw and tighten.

Now it's time to put it all back together and hope it works like new. In the process of removing the front cover, a few items may have gotten out of place, namely the display glass cover may have fallen out and the rubber cover for the jacks may have fallen out of it's spot. The display glass cover will just slide back into it's position and the rubber jack cover will easily go back into it's position, just push the little tab down into the slot on the frame and there is a little post that the tab with the hole fits onto. Also you'll notice that your battery lid is loose, just put it into it's position and when you slide the front cover back on , the back tabs will be in their proper slot.

One more important item to be aware of when sliding the front cover back on is the mode switch ribbon cable. I know, you thought you were done with the darn ribbon cable but not quite yet! When you slide the cover back on you need to make sure that the ribbon cable doesn't get pinched between the cover and the frame. If it is extending out, just gently push it down into the inside with your screwdriver as you close up the unit.

Frame 12

Replace all the screws, making sure the 2 fine-threaded metal screws go back into the inside cover holes. Also you'll notice that one of the other screws is longer than the other three. This one goes back into the hole on the bottom that's near the tripod mount, not the one in the battery compartment. After you've gotten it all back together, wipe off the excess spray if any and move the mode switch through it's positions a few times if you haven't already done so.

You're finished! Re-install the batteries and you're ready to go!

Please be sure to email me if you have any questions or comments concerning this procedure, or if these pages have helped you repair your own Nikon 950, I'd love to hear from you.

All material copyright 2001 Stan Richard