D5000 Service Advisory: She’s Hard to Turn On!
[Update]
The serial number checker is available here. There does not appear to be a specific range, or at least they’re not telling us, and since no link is apparently, I presume that if it says your body is affected, it’ll give you a link to further info an provide you with the 2 day shipping label, etc.
If you’d like to talk to them about this issue: (USA) 800-645-6678, 8am to 2am (Eastern), 7-days-a-week.
A FAQ is here.
[/Update]
You hit all the right buttons on her body, you perform all the right moves, you charge her up, you even tell her the things she wants to hear, “Yeah baby, I’m gonna buy you that 200mm f/2 VR you’ve wanted for so long! I’m gonna get you so hot, your SB-900 will melt!”
But, nothing seems to consistently work. Then you realize, it’s not you, it’s not your moves, it’s her- she’s got some flaw.
Nikon has put up a service advisory on the D5000 explaining that sometimes it won’t turn on even when the battery is fully charged and it won’t turn on sometimes even when the AC adapter is plugged in.
This is not good. So here’s what you need to know:
- On July 23rd, they will have a serial # checker to let you know if your body is affected.
- The fix requires you to send in your body, they’ll start accepting bodies on July 23rd- the website (?) will have a label generator for you to use.
- Shipping both ways will be paid for by Nikon and will be 2-day shipping to minimize inconvenience
Check here for updates.
Kudos to Nikon for taking responsibility and working to make it easy on you to get fixed.
What’s interesting is that this must be a hardware issue since they’re requiring you to send it in, normally, you’d expect software. Also interesting that it’s only some serial numbers- this implies a design change (or manufacturing snafu?) which makes you wonder if they swapped a part or supplier in the middle of the run.
Tags: d5000, service advisory
July 17th, 2009 at 20:36
What, now cameras require foreplay?
July 17th, 2009 at 21:28
Didn’t you know? You don’t just stick in your lens without getting her ready, do you?
July 18th, 2009 at 01:45
Good point, especially with my 600mm F4…
July 20th, 2009 at 23:56
Its pretty common to have daily changes in minor parts during a production run. The most common thing is that the factory runs out of a part like a resistor and asks engineering for a substitute so the production line can keep going. They do some quick calculations and checking to see whats in stock, and hand carry a marked up and signed drawing copy out to the factory to keep it going. Been there, done that.
Of course, sometimes a unexpected tolerance buildup or a change in suppliers results in problems as well.
July 25th, 2009 at 20:08
In a back-handed way this recall shows Nikon has pretty decent configuration management on their production line. That is, they are keeping good records on what their designing and in which final products any changes appear. Rather than having to recall every D5000 they were able to limit the recall to a limited series of serial numbers. If there were sloppier in their build process they would have to extend the recall to many more, or all, D5000s. And as mentioned before, sometimes changes don’t go perfectly, but that is normal. Annoying if you’re one of the ones affected.