E18 on my S200!

[ghettoflow21]

Ok, so I tried the troubleshooter on the Canon website, and it said to just try and turn it on and off, but this did not help the camera. The lens is half way out when it's off. I try to turn in on, it goes out a little but, then it goes back in a little, to where it was, and gives me the E18 message. When I turn it on in review mode, I can see the pictures, but after a while, it turns off, and goes to the E18 message. I am contemplating sending it in for a flat fee of $100 to fix it, but it seems somewhat of a simple problem....could you guys help with quick responses, because I am going to need the camera within the next two weeks....thanks!

[S45_fornow...]

Ok, so I tried the troubleshooter on the Canon website, and it said to just try and turn it on and off, but this did not help the camera. The lens is half way out when it's off. I try to turn in on, it goes out a little but, then it goes back in a little, to where it was, and gives me the E18 message. When I turn it on in review mode, I can see the pictures, but after a while, it turns off, and goes to the E18 message. I am contemplating sending it in for a flat fee of $100 to fix it, but it seems somewhat of a simple problem....could you guys help with quick responses, because I am going to need the camera within the next two weeks....thanks!

E18 error is for lens mechanism jams.

Best case: You take apart the optical (lens) assembly, clean it good to remove dirt, etc... from the gearing, and it works.

Worst case: You take the thing apart and find broken teeth on the gears in the optical unit. Then you need to have Canon replace the optical unit or do it yourself. You will have to buy a whole new optical unit since Canon does not sell single parts for fixing it. For $100 you might as well just invest it in a new camera since fully working S200's are going on eBay for $75-125 sold as a whole kit.

I've had dozens of these things apart before...