Upshifting from the largest cog to the next few smaller ones works fine, but from there the lever requires increasingly more throw before it "clicks". The problem is definitely in the shifter, as I disconnected the cable and the shifter was still doing it with the cable hanging free. The derailleur works fine downshifting, and upshifting once the shifter clicks. Is something in the shifter worn out or maybe it just needs some maintenance? Never taken one apart so any ideas as to what I'm looking for would be helpful. Thanks.

Upshifting from the largest cog to the next few smaller ones works fine, but from there the lever requires increasingly more throw before it "clicks". The problem is definitely in the shifter, as I disconnected the cable and the shifter was still doing it with the cable hanging free. The derailleur works fine downshifting, and upshifting once the shifter clicks. Is something in the shifter worn out or maybe it just needs some maintenance? Never taken one apart so any ideas as to what I'm looking for would be helpful. Thanks.

Sorry if this is too obvious, but did you try adjusting the limit screws? If you already did, is the derailleur hanger properly aligned? If it is, and the problem persists, did you tighten the cassette lockring sufficiently?

Sorry if this is too obvious, but did you try adjusting the limit screws? If you already did, is the derailleur hanger properly aligned? If it is, and the problem persists, did you tighten the cassette lockring sufficiently?
Thanks for the reply. I think the fact that the shifter maintains this behavior even when disconnected from the derailleur would eliminate any of these variables. Furthermore, the derailleur shifts fine when the shifter finally catches and the cable is released. The problem is that to get to the smallest cogs I have to push the shifter down an extraordinary amount, almost to where it is inline with the brake levers.

Part of Campy's selling point for me was its serviceability, but I didn't expect problems like this after only two years. To be fair, I do perform my high intensity workouts indoors and the sweat may be what's causing the problem here.

I think that limit screws may still be a factor, as it has an effect on how far the arms/pulleys can move relative to the main body of the derailleur. So it's still a factor regardless of whether the derailleur is disconnected from the hanger or not.

Campy parts is definitely serviceable, and parts can be obtained if your guess about your sweat corroding some parts is correct. I wouldn't give up hope though, it could be something as simple as cleaning some parts a bit; I've had to do that with a rear Centaur derailleur and it wasn't very hard.

I think that limit screws may still be a factor, as it has an effect on how far the arms/pulleys can move relative to the main body of the derailleur. So it's still a factor regardless of whether the derailleur is disconnected from the hanger or not.

Campy parts is definitely serviceable, and parts can be obtained if your guess about your sweat corroding some parts is correct. I wouldn't give up hope though, it could be something as simple as cleaning some parts a bit; I've had to do that with a rear Centaur derailleur and it wasn't very hard.
I disconnected the cable from the derailleur, so the shifter was just pulling and releasing cable through the air, yet the problem remained. And the derailleur will shift into the smallest cog just fine if I can contort my hand enough to push the shift lever half way around the hood.

QUOTE: Part of Campy's selling point for me was its serviceability, but I didn't expect problems like this after only two years. To be fair, I do perform my high intensity workouts indoors and the sweat may be what's causing the problem here.
************************************************** ************************************************** ***
If an ergolever is used a lot, the index springs which control the detents and hold the index gear in place, can be worn out, this may be your problem. In Campagnolos literature it says that an ergolever used in extreme conditions ( racing, lots of miles with lots of shifting) should be rebuilt every year.

You also mention that you train indoors, when people use ergolevers on trainers or rollers and they dont use a fan or sweat reducing devices, the thumb button pivot is prone to collect sweat ( its right under the forehead ). Check to see if your thumb button pivots works. It can be stuck in either the up or down position and this will give different problems. It sounds to me that it may be stuck in the up position.

If it is the problem, you can drop some tri-flow in the pivot and work it back and forth to see if that is the issue.

Is something in the shifter worn out or maybe it just needs some maintenance?

Well you could follow the easy steps and use the shimano service manual. Step 1 - Hang your bike by the rear wheel and spray a boatload of WD40 (or cleaner/lube of choice) into the shift mechanism and hope it flushes out whatever is gunking things up or lubes the stiff spring. Step 2 - Order a nonservicable replacement STI shifter from an authorized shimano internet dealer.

Part of Campy's selling point for me was its serviceability, but I didn't expect problems like this after only two years. To be fair, I do perform my high intensity workouts indoors and the sweat may be what's causing the problem here.

Sounds like you got what you expected, a servicable unit. Bummer that it occured before you thought it should but at least you are not shopping for brand new shifters. The Ergo levers are not too hard to rebuild, just follow the step by step instructions. Search the forum for some links and hints.