Great write up. Brutal camera to work on that very, very few repairers will even contemplate taking on.

Almost as bad as Canon NEW F1!

Edit:

The weather sealing for the baseplate and two top covers actually came in a tube no longer available - there were no pre-made seals.

Best alternative now is a bit of RTV silicone as is used for mould making (not bath sealant type though!)

Manual mode, both mechanical (>1/60th) and electronically controlled speeds (<1/60th) don't require film to be present. Electronically controlled speeds are adjusted with VRB B, only after shutter curtain speeds are correctly adjusted and the mechanical speeds are correct. If 1/2000th isn't within limits, the high-speed cam required changing. Only in auto is film required.

It is correct that the meter/led's staying on can't be rectified without a replacement circuit, except in one instance where the shutter release lever tab needs adjustment.

I have half a dozen here with the same issue.