480 EX Flash wont fire unless camera is on auto

[Gary]

I dont really know much about flashes, so i probably buggered up a setting somewhere, but i have a problem with my 480EX.

For some reason the pilot light is only coming on (and therefore flash only firing) when the camera is set to full auto. If I set it to anything else like Av or Tv the pilot light doesnt come on and the camera doesnt flash.

Any ideas on how to fix this will be gratefully received!

 

[joescrivens]

Your pilot light should come on even when not attached, never mind about what setting youa re in. If you disconnect your flash and just turn it on, does the pilot light come on?

If not, sounds like the batteries need changing or you have a faulty one

 

[DizMatt]

in NON auto modes, have you gone into the menu options and made sure the external flash modes are on?

 

[Gary]

i charged the batteries up and it works fine now.
thanks for the advice guys, and sorry for being a dumb ass

although i was thrown as to why it still worked in auto

 

[Canon Bob]

although i was thrown as to why it still worked in auto

If auto had determined that a lower power output was needed then it is likely it achieved this level and became ready but may never have achieved the level required for your manual setting.

Bob