580ex Faulty - No flash

I've had my 580ex flash for 15 months and today the flash decided to stop working.

The flash works fine, but the flash (light) doesn't fire.

Has this happened to any of you before? Could it just be the bulb?

I'll call canon tomorrow.

Cheers

This may sound stupid but you have tried new batteries?

It could be the xenon tube, which can be replaced, or it could be a short from overheating due to a prolonged rapid fire sequence of the flash without the "proper" cooldown period. In either case it is out of warranty, and Canon will charge you about $125 as a standard repair, unless there is evidence of other damage (water) when they take it apart.

I tried 3 sets of batteries.

Were can you get the xenon tube from?

Can they be easily changed?

The tube is a "standard" replacement part from Canon... when you call them, get to parts, and tell them the model of the flash and describe what you want. They don't release a parts list or an exploded parts diagram (they don't want you to know too much). Don't forget that it might still be a short on one of the several circuit boards. The tube is less than $20 including S/H, I think.

Easily changed? It is easy for someone who has already done it, or even taken the flash apart, as there are many parts.

I have done this, and taken apart just about every Canon unit already...I would probably just send it to Canon for an evaluation; if you don't like the estimate they give you, have them just send it back...

I think they give a 90 day warranty on repairs.
Michael

JMB, Thanks for the detailed response. I've sent it to canon. Hopefully they look at it quickly.

Should I be expecting such faults every now and then?

About once a week I could easily take 200 shots with the flash.

I guess i'm trying to assess If I should get another flash unit.