Canon - E18 error

[NiceCupOfTea]

Anybody had this?

Powered on my S70 last night, lens extended followed by grinding noises and fuzz on the screen, then it said "E18".

A quick google shows many pages documenting the error with all models of Powershot and Ixus cameras - basically, it's a lens barrel issue.

Various fixes including:

• try a new battery
• compressed air in gaps around lens
• connect via AV lead to TV
• make sure lens is straight with small amount of pressure on one side
• tap rubber USB cover on hard surface

and finally

• take it apart and clean out the cogs in the extending barrel manually.

I've tried it all except for the last, guess what I am doing when I have a spare evening?

It's seems it's very widespread and can happen from sand or crap getting into the barrel, shock, or just for no reason (like mine).

It's just over 2 years old so well out of warranty.

Anybody had the same issues? Seems like a design fault to me...

http://www.e18error.com/
http://www.bitnet.cx/canon.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E18_error
http://www.ixus-world.de/tips/repair_guide/e18_01e...
http://blogs.yucs.org/~dwallach/2004/08/canon_e18_...
etc....

[NiceCupOfTea]

Nobody had this? Google would have it that it's widespread!

Camera still knackered so I will attack it with a screwdriver tomorrow night, I can't make it more broken!

[aspender]

I once sold a Digital Ixus Vx to somebody at work after upgrading to a Digital Ixus II. They wanted it as a Christmas present to their daughter before their holiday to Florida. Two weeks after Christmas and once back at work the purchaser phoned me up saying that the camera was faulty and would not work with the screen just saying "E18". She claimed I'd known it was faulty and sold it to them without saying, thereby ruining their holiday as it failed in Florida and their daughter was very upset.

I did just as you did and googled the E18 problem. Even back then (approx five years ago) it was well known, and sand getting into the lens barrel was a possible culprit.

Florida? Beaches? Sand...

She kicked up enough fuss about it that the easiest thing all round was just to give her the money back.