"F-- error" on Tamron lens

[amgvca]

Hi,
I have the Nikon D80. I am constantly getting an "F--" error when using the Tamron A20N2 AF28-388mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC lens. It goes away when I turn the camera off and then turn it back on. Appears to be due to mounting. Sometimes it will go away when I wiggle the lens on the mount. The lens is only 1 1/2 yr old so is still under warranty. Is this a common problem? It doesn't matter the lighting either. Happens during the day usually.
Thanks

[OsmosisStudios]

The contacts between the camera and the lens may not be lining up properly: this is a fairly common issue with third-party lenses. CHeck the contacts for dirt: use a pencil eraser on them to try to clean them.

[amgvca]

Sounds right about the contacts...I am very meticulous about dirt and have tried the pencil eraser trick but the problem seems to come back too often and I rarely change lenses! Should it get serviced???

[amgvca]

...or am I wasting my time here and should try to trade it in???

[OsmosisStudios]

If the contacts arent lining up properly, you'll get the same issue. Remember, Nikon doesnt release their information for lenses to the after market, so everything Tamron, Tokina and Sigma make has to be reverse-engineered. That means that sometimes they get it wrong.

If it happens far too often, you might wanna sell it, but disclose the issue.