"Ratcheting Sound in PowerShot S3 IS?"

For about the last week every time I turn my PowerShot S3 IS off and on I
hear a distinct ratcheting sound. This occurs as the lens goes out and in.
The camera was new in June 2006. Has anyone else ever had this happen?
Any suggestions for a solution are appreciated.

Marsha

In article <7LednXe_X8DuEZ7anZ2dnUVZ_u-unZ2d@giganews.com>, mds12
@cox.net says...
> For about the last week every time I turn my PowerShot S3 IS off and on I
> hear a distinct ratcheting sound. This occurs as the lens goes out and in.
> The camera was new in June 2006. Has anyone else ever had this happen?
> Any suggestions for a solution are appreciated.
>
> Marsha
>
>
>
Had a similar problem with Panasonic LZ-5. It was apparently sand in the
zoom mechanism, picked up from wind at the beach. Compressed air fixed
it for a while, then it recurred with complete failure. Panasonic fixed
it free, although it was (barely) out of warrantee. Been paranoid about
grit ever since, as there was no obvious blowing sand. May have been
caused by keeping camera in jacket pocket. Don't know if this applies to
Canon at all, so ignore if this doesn't seem to apply.

Thanks for the tip. I just tried it but still get the sound. I don't think
it bodes well for my camera.

Marsha
"Irwin Peckinloomer" <spam@trash.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.216e4dd1d2bb2bf798972a@news.verizon.net.. .
> In article <7LednXe_X8DuEZ7anZ2dnUVZ_u-unZ2d@giganews.com>, mds12
> @cox.net says...
>> For about the last week every time I turn my PowerShot S3 IS off and on I
>> hear a distinct ratcheting sound. This occurs as the lens goes out and
>> in.
>> The camera was new in June 2006. Has anyone else ever had this happen?
>> Any suggestions for a solution are appreciated.
>>
>> Marsha
>>
>>
>>
> Had a similar problem with Panasonic LZ-5. It was apparently sand in the
> zoom mechanism, picked up from wind at the beach. Compressed air fixed
> it for a while, then it recurred with complete failure. Panasonic fixed
> it free, although it was (barely) out of warrantee. Been paranoid about
> grit ever since, as there was no obvious blowing sand. May have been
> caused by keeping camera in jacket pocket. Don't know if this applies to
> Canon at all, so ignore if this doesn't seem to apply.