Flash does not work anymore, why? - Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T3 Digital Camera

I don't know if this is a common fault but the same thing happened to me. Due to the design of the flash unit, only the whole thing can be replaced even if it is a simple repair like the bulb has gone (another con from Sony!). I tired several camera repair shops including Sony and it worked out more cost effecitve to purchase a new camera rather than to get my T3 repaired. I just continued to use the camera without the flash and it worked well enough for that. IMPORTANT NOTE: depending when your one was manufactured, it is not worth spending any money on it in case it develops the well known CCD sensor problem that affects the LCD display. See the link below for more information. It happened to mine just this month and being Sony, unlike the other companies affected, are no longer repairing them for free despite acknowledging there was a fault in the manufacturing of them. Check out: http://www.imaging-resource.com/badccds.html for more information.
HTH