400ci, no error code, no output with black toner

[q2222]

I have a problem with my 400ci: The output with the color toners (yellow, magenta, cyan) is working just fine, however everything that should be printed with the black toner is missing. By switching to black & white output I get completely white papers as printouts, it does not matter if I am scanning something or if I am printing. There is no error code at all. The black toner level was down to 20%. For this reason I even replaced the black toner with a new one without success. Does somebody have an idea what could be wrong with my unit?- Thank you very much for your feedback.

[dudeman]

I would try several things

First, update to the latest driver
Change the output languages at the bottom left try PCLf, KPDL, etc
Under imaging, try those 2 settings for print text as black and print greys w black toner
Try running the drum refresh under system menu- adjustment maintenance, and color reg and calibrations there

If none of that works you clearly have bigger issues

[q2222]

Thank you for your reply. It does not help. I think what can be said for sure is that it is not related to the PC driver because the behavior is exactly the same when I try to copy something directly and I choose black & white. In this case I get pure white pages, too.

[Phil B.]

I have a problem with my 400ci: The output with the color toners (yellow, magenta, cyan) is working just fine, however everything that should be printed with the black toner is missing. By switching to black & white output I get completely white papers as printouts, it does not matter if I am scanning something or if I am printing. There is no error code at all. The black toner level was down to 20%. For this reason I even replaced the black toner with a new one without success. Does somebody have an idea what could be wrong with my unit?- Thank you very much for your feedback.

Ok toner was @ 20%.. replaced no change what is the life on the Drums/Belt/Transfer Unit?
Did you stop it in middle of print to see if toner was on belt?
is it spewing toner all over the inside?
I take it you are an end user

[CWP]

Check your developing unit drive, these machines had a bit of a reputation for the drive coupling between the machine and dv unit coming loose (on the machine side). If you are not certain what you are looking at, mark the drive gears on the K developing unit, re-install it in the machine and run it, then pull the dv unit back out and check the marks to see if they have moved. Often you would get a toner supply type code when the dv unit is not turning, but not always, especially if levels are where the machine expects them to be.

[q2222]

OK, thank you all for these hints, I will look at it tomorrow again.

[q2222]

Check your developing unit drive, these machines had a bit of a reputation for the drive coupling between the machine and dv unit coming loose (on the machine side). If you are not certain what you are looking at, mark the drive gears on the K developing unit, re-install it in the machine and run it, then pull the dv unit back out and check the marks to see if they have moved. Often you would get a toner supply type code when the dv unit is not turning, but not always, especially if levels are where the machine expects them to be.

@CWP: You were completely right. I have done everything I could imagine without success. Last Friday the Kyocera support looked at it: In the maintenance menu they could read out the errors:
Error C7102 – Toner C Error, replace Developer C
Error C7902 – Drum C Error, replace Drum Unit
=> The drive coupling is loose based on their report.

It seems that there is no chance to repair the printer with reasonable cost effort. I got a quote for the repair of USD3'235.26.- at the actual exchange rate.

It is just a pity because the page count for the bw and color pages is in the 80k's.

However thank you all for the suggestions.

[q2222]

@CWP: You were completely right.- The drive coupling between the machine and k dv unit is loose. ;-(

[blackcat4866]

It's a consequence of the new style ratcheting drive on the Saturn developing units. The idea was to make the motor drive in reverse at the end of each cycle to shake loose toner collecting around the developing roller. The additional shaking also shakes apart the coupler. It helps to cut a 3mm wide strip of paper. When you re-assemble the coupler slip the paper in between the outer ring to make it fit tighter, then cut away any extra.

Coupler.JPG

=^..^=

[q2222]

Thank you very much for the suggestion blackcat4866. I will try it with the paper for sure.