580ex II just stopped working

I've had my 580ex II for a little over a year now, and when I went to use it today, nothing! No sounds, no information, even the pilot light doesn't turn on. I checked the batteries but those weren't the culprit, and neither are the contacts. It's like it's just dead, which doesn't make sense because I haven't used it recently, and when I did use it, I didn't exhaust it out. And weird how it happened right as my warranty ran out (which was too short anyways - I had other appliances which are cheaper and have longer warranties). Anything I should try that I haven't? Or any advice?

When you say the batteries were not the culprit, did you check ALL the batteries? The reason I ask is that with both my 580's one battery in each flash is always more discharged than the others. This suggests to me that one of the four batteries is being used to supply the control circuits of the flash while that battery plus the others used to fire the flash tube itself (if that makes any sense).

IF you have checked all the batteries, made sure that there is no problems with them and that the door is closed properly then it sounds like it could be dead already. Also make sure no water or moisture has got in to the unit or battery compartment. Also check for corrosion on the back springs in the unit

Remove all batteries, and leave it sitting in a warm place for a little while, put brand new batteries in it and try that or use an external power pack. If this still does not work, i'd send it in to canon

gofer wrote in post #6546054
When you say the batteries were not the culprit, did you check ALL the batteries? The reason I ask is that with both my 580's one battery in each flash is always more discharged than the others. This suggests to me that one of the four batteries is being used to supply the control circuits of the flash while that battery plus the others used to fire the flash tube itself (if that makes any sense).

Yes, I checked the batteries and even put a whole new set into them. It's completely unresponsive though If you couldn't see the on/off switch, you would think it's off when it's not. I really don't know what happened to it, but I hope if I need to get it repaired it doesn't cost much. How much do you think it would be? It shouldn't be dieing anyways IMO.

Scott McLoud wrote in post #6547006
IF you have checked all the batteries, made sure that there is no problems with them and that the door is closed properly then it sounds like it could be dead already.

Sounds like great quality control then.

Scott McLoud wrote in post #6547006
Also make sure no water or moisture has got in to the unit or battery compartment. Also check for corrosion on the back springs in the unit

There is no water. In fact, it sits in it's case most of the time since I don't really take pictures a lot and haven't been around water either. I did check for corrosion too, but nothing there.

Scott McLoud wrote in post #6547006
Remove all batteries, and leave it sitting in a warm place for a little while, put brand new batteries in it and try that or use an external power pack. If this still does not work, i'd send it in to canon

This might sound like a dumb question, but what do you mean by external power pack? I thought you could only run the 580ex II with batteries.

All of a sudden it's working now! I was right on the phone with Canon and before I even got an answer, it turned on! I forgot that I didn't have batteries in it and so I put a pair in and it worked! What the hell!? I didn't do anything else with it for this to happen either. I suspect it might be the contacts, but those were one of the first things I checked when the problem started. They look really clean, the batteries are clean, and the door closed as it should, so I don't know what prompted this. Lets hope it doesn't come back again.

blinded wrote in post #6553384
All of a sudden it's working now! I was right on the phone with Canon and before I even got an answer, it turned on! I forgot that I didn't have batteries in it and so I put a pair in and it worked! What the hell!? I didn't do anything else with it for this to happen either. I suspect it might be the contacts, but those were one of the first things I checked when the problem started. They look really clean, the batteries are clean, and the door closed as it should, so I don't know what prompted this. Lets hope it doesn't come back again.

Loose or bad contact? Moisture? Thermal fuse?

Who knows.

Since it's out of warranty, I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as it works...

-Mario

blinded wrote in post #6547047
This might sound like a dumb question, but what do you mean by external power pack? I thought you could only run the 580ex II with batteries.

Not a dumb question atall

External battery pack is basicly where you have a cable going to your flashgun from the pack

Something like this

http://www.whcamera.co​m …pactbatterypack​cp-e4.aspx

Thats one of many you can buy. I use one everytime, becuase it not only makes the flashgun last longer (not to have dead batterys and have to change them as often) but the recharge time is alot quicker too