Help! Canon 430EX II - only emits weak flash/light when fired

[Wild-bear]

Hi all,

I have an 430EX II which emits a very weak flash when test fire. It does not emit a high pitch sound when turn on indicating that it is charging the capacitor (only a constant low buzzing sound).

Can someone confirm that it is the flash capacitor that is faulty and not the flash bulb or firing circuitry?

Thanks.

[TTMartin]

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@Wild-bear wrote:

Hi all,

I have an 430EX II which emits a very weak flash when test fire. It does not emit a high pitch sound when turn on indicating that it is charging the capacitor (only a constant low buzzing sound).

Can someone confirm that it is the flash capacitor that is faulty and not the flash bulb or firing circuitry?

Thanks.

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Newer flashes like the 430EX II do not emit a high pitch sound when charging, they are completely quite. The only sound my 430EX II flash makes is when the zoom in the flash head changes focal length. 

[kvbarkley]

What happens when you actually use it?

[Wild-bear]

Same thing. It fired a weak flash. I took measurement and the photo flash capacitor had very little voltage. I think the inverter circuit is faulty and does not upconvert the voltage to the correct high voltage.

[Wild-bear]

I took the assembly apart and did not see any obvious burn mark.

Now a I have a small black piece of plastic ~2cm long and a round white rubber seal which I don't know where they should go as they fell out when I opened the casing.

PS, I'm quite competent with electronics 🙂

[kvbarkley]

Then you are on your own. Sounds like it is time for a new flash.