Canon speedlite 430ex II flash gun battery usage

[Melchett]

Can any please help me with my Canon speedlite 430ex II flash gun? When first switch on after a while without use(a day or so), it takes ages for the pilot light to illuminate. Then after each flash, it can take seconds (rather than fractions of a second) to be ready for the next flash. With brand new batteries (tried all sorts) it seems to work as normal but only for a short while and everything slows down again as soon as they drop to about 1.2v. It never used to do this.

Is there a way of testing the flash of any other way of looking for a fault?

[Melchett]

Thanks, at least repair is an option.

[Melchett]

I'll check the exposure, but I haven't noticed anything so far. Thanks.