Stuck on 'END' or Flashing Red? Don’t Panic — Your Canon XL-S Can Be Fixed!

The Film Wave
Oct 16
2 min read

Updated: Oct 20

Are you seeing the dreaded “END” message on your Canon 1014 XL-S, or a red light on your 814 XL-S? Is your camera advancing only one frame at a time—even with a fresh roll of film and new batteries?

Good news: don’t give up on your Canon XL-S just yet.

This is a common and well-known issue caused by a worn-out internal drive gear. Fortunately, it’s fully repairable—and we specialize in fixing it.

The culprit is the main drive gear, a critical component that typically lasts about 40 years. If your camera is acting up now, it’s due for a replacement—much like routine maintenance on a vehicle. Once replaced, your camera can be back to running smoothly.

Bring your Super 8 back to life — contact us today for expert Canon XL-S repair.

✅ What This Service Fixes

The "END" error appears when a critical drive gear inside your camera breaks or deteriorates. This stops the film from advancing, even though everything else might appear to be working.

Our service includes:

🔧 New Drive Gear Installation – We replace the damaged internal gear that causes film advancement issues.
🔍 Professional CLA (Clean, Lubricate, Adjust) – During the repair we clean internal parts, lubricate key mechanisms, and ensure everything is running as it should.

📦 What’s Included

Full internal disassembly and diagnosis
Replacement of worn drive gear with a new high-quality gear
Professional CLA
60-day warranty on functionality
Film Wave sticker pack

💵 Pricing & Turnaround

Price: $599 (includes Professional CLA)
Turnaround Time: Repairs are typically completed within 4–6 business weeks from the date of payment. However, this may vary depending on current repair volume. For the most accurate estimate, feel free to message us for the latest turnaround time.
Rush Service: Expedited repair is available upon request and availability - message us to get started.

🧰 Optional Add-Ons

Need more than just the drive gear replaced? We offer additional repair services for Canon XL-S cameras – Message us for more information:

Motor Function
Exposure System
Auto Zoom
Lens & Optics
Cosmetic Restoration
Battery Terminals

⚠️ DIY Warning

Canon Super 8 cameras like the 814 XL-S and 1014 XL-S are precision-engineered devices. Internal parts are fragile, and DIY repair often leads to more damage. We recommend trusting professionals with experience and the right tools.

🎥 Why Choose The Film Wave?

We’ve restored hundreds of Super 8 cameras and helped filmmakers around the world get back to shooting on a camera they can trust in. Whether you're a hobbyist or professional, we’ll treat your camera like our own.