That is normally a classic indication of a failed battery. Try a new 4SR44 battery.
If you are absolutely certain that it cannot be the battery, then your camera is most likely in need of a full professional CLA service (Clean, Lubricate, Adjust). The internal lubricant films dry out over about 30 years of use and gum up the mechanism.
A professional repair costs far more than the camera is worth, and most repairers won't attempt this on your non-functional model unless you agree to pay up front due to the possibility of carrying out work only to find a more serious fault (unusual on the AE1 as it's well built, but still possible). Although the repair may not make economic sense, if it works then you'll have a camera which should be good for many more years and which can still produce results which will put a digital SLR to shame, especially if you shoot on transparencies and then scan them. Plus there's all those nice, cheap/free, used FD lenses lying around...
Answers & Comments
That is normally a classic indication of a failed battery. Try a new 4SR44 battery.
If you are absolutely certain that it cannot be the battery, then your camera is most likely in need of a full professional CLA service (Clean, Lubricate, Adjust). The internal lubricant films dry out over about 30 years of use and gum up the mechanism.
A professional repair costs far more than the camera is worth, and most repairers won't attempt this on your non-functional model unless you agree to pay up front due to the possibility of carrying out work only to find a more serious fault (unusual on the AE1 as it's well built, but still possible). Although the repair may not make economic sense, if it works then you'll have a camera which should be good for many more years and which can still produce results which will put a digital SLR to shame, especially if you shoot on transparencies and then scan them. Plus there's all those nice, cheap/free, used FD lenses lying around...