digital camera flash working only now and again

[opener]

Can someone in the know help me please.
I took my Fuji Finepix 4700 with me to view a job this morning and I needed to take a number of photos indoors.
The flash worked for the first three and then refused to work again. I tried turning off and on, closing the flash and opening again, etc - wouldn't work. Then ten minutes later it worked again - for a few snaps - then stopped again.
It has done this before and I thought the flash was gone completely but some days later it started again.
What I'd like to know is - can it be fixed or do I have to bite the bullet and get a new one. It is about 7 years old - an antique almost - but it's fine otherwise.
Thanks in advance
Malcolm

 

[Raggy]

What sort of condition are the batterys in? If they are running out then they may not be able to charge the capacitor for the flash to work quickly enough, I noticed my fuji s7000 struggles when the batterys are on the used side.

 

[opener]

Thanks very much for the reply Chris.
I've just been playing around with camera. I've got two sets of batteries - one nearly ready for recharging and one almost fully charged and I now can't get the flash to NOT work. It must be the law of sod.
I think there is merit in your idea though and I'll keep my batteries fully charged.
Thanks
Malcolm