Film door latch is loose

I really loved your camera type though it was 35 years ago I had one. I envy you.

Not sure why you should be having trouble unless you have a bad film. Have you tried more than one film?

If the film cassette has dropped in properly and is laying flat, the film rewind has to be raised, I think, to allow that and the sprocket holes in the film are properly engaged with the sprockets and the free end of the film engaged onto the film wind-on reel then everything should be well below the door aperture.

I would wind on maybe a frame and fire the shutter prior to closing the film door just to observe everything moving as it should and then close the door.
The last quarter inch the door must be closed against the pressure of a spring but if the little spring-loaded device behind the door which is intended to keep the film perfectly flat against the camera body is working correctly only a light pressure will be needed to compress those springs and close the door.
Perhaps something is wrong there?

I don't remember any problems closing the film door.
I hope this helps but if it doesn't please come back again and describe your actions and the feel of the door more fully.

This is a known fault with this retro model, I'm afraid - over time, the plastic gears get worn, and eventually fail. Solutions are mentioned on the Pentax Forums.

Hi Susanabbott2, As long as you are using AAA batteries, unless you have the holder for AA batteries it should advance the film. Things to look at: With the batteries in camera turned on do you see the red display in the view finder, if not there is an electrical issue, if you do see it do the following. Open the camera back make sure the leader is pulled to the red marker on the lower right. On the camera back door is there the chrome springy thingy with the little roller? If not then as you close the camera back there is nothing to place tension on the film so that the sprockets can grab the film.

Jammed Advance Motor Assembly.

Film door switch is not working.
When you close door make sure door latch is clicking.

Broken door latch.
Needs replacement.

sounds like the door latch broke. (tape) Canon will only replace/upgrade not repair.
ours cracked after a drop then broke replacing the film.

Check the manual rewind button on the bottom plate of the camera. Make sure the button is not jammed under the edge of the button opening. If it is you might be able to carefully pry it out with a sharp pin or tooth pick (be careful not to pierce the button or you could damage the circuit board underneath) Or you could remove the bottom plate and reseat the button (be careful of a loose spring to the film door latch)

Same advice I made to another post. At some point you got to make a decision. There is a lot of plastic pieces that can break. Canon doesn't support the T series from what I've read. You may consider getting another one. You also have to consider that the fix may not work. Then what do you do?

Dawn

remove the battery and check that it is good. replace battery and open back door, close the door and it should run the motor / transport. if so, load film up to the drive sprocket being sure film will catch on the sprocket.
or move the latch holding back cover, and open the door fully. check the pressure plate on the door, gently pull the plate up a little to increase pressure on the film. bring the holding lever out toward the latch and close the door to lock the lever back to position.