EOS 400D Err 05, Flash pops up but camera says no.

JackAllTog (e2 Member)

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1 Nov 2009 - 11:20 AM

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The flash on my camera pops up when needed just fine, but the camera (EOS 400D) does not sense it's popped up OK. It clicks 3 times in a row still trying to release the flash then displays:
"Error Err 05 The built-in flash's auto pop-up was obstructed. Turn the power switch to and again."
No amount of doing this clears the issue, somthing inside is not sensing its up OK.

Has anyone been able to fix this themselves or is it time for a camera service?
Maybe you can recommend someone
Canon suggest:
- A.J.Johnstone & Company Limited
- Colchester Camera Repair Services
- H. Lehmann Limited
- Canon (UK) RCC

Many thanks,
Stuart

mrcal

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1 Nov 2009 - 12:31 PM

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From the back of the camera, look into the slots that hold the external flash. Compare the right and the left. There is a long thin strip of spring steel in the left one that covers a tiny microswitch at the front edge. This microswitch detects when an external flash is in place. Often, the strip sticks down so the camera refuses to lift the internal flash as it senses an external flash.

Use a small flat screwdriver to gently lift the strip on the left. This is usually sufficient to allow the switch to pop up.

If this doesn't work, I'll look up the instructions to strip the hot shoe. It's not difficult, just fiddly.

JackAllTog (e2 Member)

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1 Nov 2009 - 12:38 PM

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Thanks Michael, I see the strips your talking about, they seem to work OK, i can hear the micro switches clicking.
My issue is not that i think, as the flash does popup OK, the the camera does not seem to sense that it has popped up.
I'm assuming another microswitch/optical switch is not being operated as the flash pops up.
If you have the instructions to strip the hot shoe i'd be very interested thanks.

Cheers
Stuart

tszcz

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31 Mar 2010 - 5:25 AM

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Hi Stuart,

I stumbled across your post because my Canon Rebel Xsi is showing the exact same symptoms that you describe above and I am trying to figure out what the problem is. Did you ever manage to find a solution or is this one for the repair shop?

Thanks!

Tina

JackAllTog (e2 Member)

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31 Mar 2010 - 10:26 AM

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Tina - your a star I'll be trying this tonight to see if it also works for me (i'd just given up and used an external flash instead).

The answer in your link is this:-
" Here’s the fix to the err05 msg when the flash does pop-up. This will work on the XTi and perhaps on similar Canon cameras:
The pop-up flash has two legs. Look at the pivot point of the right leg (”right” when looking into the lens). Just in front of the pivot is a very small spring-load pin on the “roof” of the camera body.
This pin is the sensor that tells the camera the state of the flash. The pin is pushed down when the pop-up flash is closed and is suppose to quickly spring up when the flash is opened. Problem is, the pin sometimes gets dirty and drags. When it is slow to spring up … you get the err05 message.
Fix: Take a small jeweler’s screwdriver and dip the tip in isopropyl alcohol. (Don’t use any other solvent unless it’s designed for cleaning electronic parts!) Then touch the screwdriver tip to the pin. Do this several times until the pin area is nicely wet. Then push the pin up and down until it is able to spring up quickly.
Enjoy."


Many thanks for your comment.

JackAllTog (e2 Member)

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13 Apr 2011 - 8:33 AM

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Hi Dan, same here. It just went away after a few weeks and never came back. For 8 months it was fine, I've now passed it on.
I was a small price of dust or grit that moved off somewhere else.
Self healing cameras - cool.