SB-600 won't go off

<p>I have had an SB-600 for three years. I don't use it very often, but it worked fine until a few weeks ago. When I turn it on, the ready light won't come on. The flash light is always red. I can't get the flash to go off. Everything else seems to work. I've tried three different sets of batteries, including brand new ones. But that made no difference. I also don't hear the flash charging up when I turn it on (I don't hear the high-pitch noise).</p>

<p>Is it time to send the flash to a repair shop? If so, recommendations for a good shop? (I'm assuming that it's cheaper to get it fixed than to get a new flash.)</p>

<p>Thanks!!!</p>

<p>Try to restore the flash to factory original state.<br /> This is done upon turning the flash ON, and holding 2 buttons.<br /> Perhaps it is described in the manual. Download PDF manual from Nikon web site.</p>

<p>I believe there was also a Service mode, undocumented, not sure if for SB600 or larger flashes.<br /> There was a post here, about how and what the service mode does, and what sequence used to invoke it, though it was highly questionable to me since the information was not mentioned by anyone else or not confirmed.<br /> Of cource, the best is to send the flash to Nikon for service or adjustments. Such a flash check up is recommended by Nikon for every 2 years of use or so, perhaps also described in the manual.</p>

<p>Sorry to hear about your issue. If a reset does not correct your issue, you can send the unit in to Nikon for an estimate. The estimate is free (except for the cost to ship the unit to them).</p>

<p><em>"</em><em>The flash light is always red."</em> Which light are you referring to as you state the ready light (which is red) won't come on?</p>

<p>+1 to trying a reset. A reset of the flash is done by pressing the 'mode' and 'On/Off' buttons simultaneously for two seconds, according to page 13 of the PDF manual.<br>

If that doesn't work, try cleaning the battery contacts with a cotton-bud (Q-tip) dipped in some liquid metal polish, then polish off with a fresh cotton-bud.</p>

<p>I would shine a flashlight into the battery compartment and check for contact oxydation. If necessary, use a long screwdriver to clean those contacts to assure a good connection to the batteries. The battery orientation on the SB-600 is also very strange. I would verify that the batteries are inserted correctly.</p>

<p>Electronic flashes have high-voltage capacitors inside. Please do not open up the flash yourself. There is risk for electric shock.</p>

<p><a href="../photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00ZfjM">http://www.photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00ZfjM</a></p>

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<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Before I posted, I had already tried resetting the flash. Thinking that maybe I hadn't done it right, I just tried again, and that didn't fix things.<br>

The contacts look really clean and shiny. There hasn't been any battery leakage ever, as far as I know. Is it still worth a try to clean the contacts? (Yes, I have the orientation right -- the flash turns on and does everything except firing.)<br>

Re: the flash light, in Shun Cheung's picture above, you can see that there is a light for ready and there is a light for flash to the right of the ready light. When I turn the flash on, the ready light doesn't come on, and the flash light is red.</p>

<p>I think something in the dc to ac converter circuit is bad. I think you will have to send it in for service. I don't think there is anything can be done yourself.</p>

<p>I use SB-600's regularly triggered by a SB-800 and I'd send it to Nikon for repair. Don't know what the cost would be but I'd bet it's cheaper than a new flash plus it'll come back with a Nikon Repair warranty which is good for year based on a D2H repair a few years ago.</p>

<p>My SB-600 was acting up a couple of years ago. The red light was on, but either it would not flash or it would over/under expose images. After a few conversations with Nikon, I sent it in for an estimate. They told me that the lens was cracked and it would cost $120.00 for repair. I had never dropped/ mishandled the flash and did not see a crack before I sent it to them, but I guess it could of been a tiny crack which I overlooked. I guess a month went by while pondered on whether to go for the repair or buy another flash and then one day there was a package at my door. Nikon had sent me a new SB600:)<br>

Maybe they did it because around the same time I had also sent in a brand new D300 and my D70 kit lens (18-70MM) because of focusing problems and electronic issues with the D300 which they could not fix after 2 attempts. I had gotten pretty upset after sending the D300 and lens in and getting them back with problems unresolved on the first attempt. It was as if nobody had even troubleshooted. After sending them in again and talking with a very nice Sr. Technical Correspondent, they sent me a new D300 and lens. All has been good until I recently noticed that my 70-200mm f/2.8 VR has been acting up. Still trying to figure out if it is me or the lens. I dread being without it for weeks.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help. I'm sending the flash in for repair.</p>

<p>I AM IN DEPRESSION CAUSE BEFORA A DAY MY NIKON SB700 WAS DROP FROM MY HAND ,AFTER DROP WHEN I ON MY FLASH,THEY ALWAY STUCY(STOP )AND A SIGN VIEW IN MY FLACH LCD PANEL<br />,SIGH DETAIL:<br /><br />I FOUND "M" SIGH WITH A ARROW,ARROW APPER AT UPER SIDE OF "M" AND AROW DIRECTION IS DOWN SIDE,AND A "CIRCLE" .CIRCAL HAVE "I" SIGH IN BETWEEN....<br /><br />AFTER NEARLY 5 MINUTES FLASH WILL READY THEN STUCK AGAIN<br /><br />PLS SOLVE MY PROBLEM<br /><br />SO THANKS</p>

<p>I have had an SB-600 for three years. I don't use it very often, but it worked fine until a few weeks ago. When I turn it on, the ready light won't come on. The flash light is always red. I can't get the flash to go off. Everything else seems to work. I've tried three different sets of batteries, including brand new ones. But that made no difference. I also don't hear the flash charging up when I turn it on (I don't hear the high-pitch noise).</p>

<p>Is it time to send the flash to a repair shop? If so, recommendations for a good shop? (I'm assuming that it's cheaper to get it fixed than to get a new flash.)</p>

<p>Thanks!!!</p>

 

My SB-600 is having the same problem now. What is the cause and what is the fix?

 

Thanks.

My SB-600 is having the same problem now. What is the cause and what is the fix?

Thanks.

On an SB-600, the first thing I would check is battery orientation, since it has an unusual one.

 

If that is not the issue, as I mentioned earlier on this thread a few years ago, shine a flashlight into the battery compartment to see whether any connection is oxidized or rusty. I would clean those contacts.