420ex dead?

[zelseman]

I bought a used 420ex flash off of a member on her a few months ago, and have loved using it. But last night it simply stopped flashing. The lights on the rear of the unit still come on except for the "pilot" light. I have tried fresh batteries as well, no luck. The flash still makes the slight ringing noise when it comes on, and the zoom distances change as the head is tilted just like normal. It simply wont flash manually off camera or on camera.

Is it dead? Where would be the best place to take it to see if it is dead? Could it be as simple as a bulb burning out? I really need a flash this week due to a fairly busy photog week. Any advice would be awesome. Thanks guys.

[zelseman]

come on guys, 40 views and no one has had this problem ever? Any kind of input would be much appreciated.

[Fingertip]

I guess these flashes are 99.999% perfect because I posted with a similar problem on my 580ex hoping that someone else had experience with it, and no luck (although I did get a few responses)
My situation was a little different though because my pilot light stayed on, but the flash would only fire intermittently.
Its frustrating because its not clear if its the camera or the flash thats the problem.
Good luck.

[zelseman]

Same here...i have no clue, im gonna try out my flash on a film camera that i have and see what happens. I guess i will update the one person that has had flash problems. Stay close bud! lol

EDIT-
The flash doesnt work on my film body, im at a loss. I have a collection of old gear that i need to fix. In the meantime i guess im gonna buy a 430ex

[Bob_A]

If the pilot light doesn't come on with fresh batteries something is wrong. First, if you are using rechargeables, try another set of fresh batteries (i.e., fresh out of the package alkalines). If the pilot light doesn't light then something is wrong.

You don't need to have it mounted on a camera to test it. With good batteries the red pilot light should light in about 5 seconds after powering the flash up.

[zelseman]

If the pilot light doesn't come on with fresh batteries something is wrong. First, if you are using rechargeables, try another set of fresh batteries (i.e., fresh out of the package alkalines). If the pilot light doesn't light then something is wrong.

You don't need to have it mounted on a camera to test it. With good batteries the red pilot light should light in about 5 seconds after powering the flash up.

Yea i was almost positive that was the case with the flash not having to be mounted. Ill pick up some batteries tomorrow and see what i get.

Would a camera repair shop be an ideal place to take it to get repaired?

[Bob_A]

Yea i was almost positive that was the case with the flash not having to be mounted. Ill pick up some batteries tomorrow and see what i get.

Would a camera repair shop be an ideal place to take it to get repaired?

Hopefully the problem is with the batteries and not with the capacitor. Having Canon repair it could be costly, and if you're a do it yourselfer be careful because you could get a taser-style jolt :)

I've had discharged batteries that I thought were fresh in mine a couple of times and all you get is a very quiet squeal but the pilot light never comes on.

Good luck!

[zelseman]

I tried new batteries to no avail. Im going to try to DIY fix it. If that doesnt work, ill take it in to a local shop and see what they say.