Calibration Toner-Banding on paper edge

[Noob3.0]

Hi folks,

I have a Lexmark X543 and was wondering if any of you ever seen this issue before. Pics attached

The printer is constantly calibrating before and after prints. If I print out 10 or so pages the image cleans up pretty good, but after each job the calibration starts again and the transfer belt is covered again with calibration marks.

I pulled and the transfer belt, cleaned it and emptied the hopper that collects extra toner off the belt. The blade n wiper clean the belt nicely and look to be in good working order.

Made sure the detectors that read the belt are clean.

Fuser is clean and working well, no toner there.

Everything mechanically seems great condition and working except the constant calibration.

Any input would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks for your time!





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[Noob3.0]

No one? hmm. Darn

I'm not a trained expert on fixing these things so was hoping someone could give me some pointers fixing my printer.

[blackcat4866]

Those are residual patches that you are seeing on the images. It may be cleaning the transfer belt in the short term, but probably not during continuous use.

You can make sure that the transfer belt cleaner is working, not clogged up, there is no paper in the transfer belt cleaner, and that the waste bottle is not overfull. I have a lot of experience with endusers just opening and closing the front door ... ignoring the waste bottle full message, until the machine just won't call for the waste bottle any more. It says: "I give up. Clearly, you're not going to read the message, or change the waste bottle." You'll usually see a full page of messages to change the waste bottle, before it just stops asking.

If you've done those things, then change the transfer belt assembly. =^..^=

[Noob3.0]

I pulled and cleaned the transfer belt

Emptied the excess toner from the belt wiper/collector hopper thing. I was quite full.

The excess toner bottle was full too so I emptied it.

Upon restart the printer does calibration leaving them slotted bands of toner on the belt.

Printing about 20 pages clears it up but after that it calibrates again, so back to square one.

Can I ask a question?

Why do the wipers not clean off the toner only where the printer lays down the calibration bands? The rest of the belt is clean.

Is there some kinda test I can do on the belt assembly to ensure It's the definite culprit before I purchase a new one?

Not questioning your knowledge! I'm trying to learn from this but if it's easy as replacing the belt and you feel that's definitely the issue I'm all good with that too!

Thank you for you time BTW

Dave

[blackcat4866]

Why do the wipers not clean off the toner only where the printer lays down the calibration bands? The rest of the belt is clean.Dave

Think of it this way: The transfer belt blade is cleaning off ... oh, let's pick a number: 60% of the residual toner on the belt.

So in the areas that have 100% residual toner coverage, it leaves 40% with each image.
In the areas that have 0% residual toner it leaves ... (0.40 * 0 = 0) yes, 0% with each image.

Is there some kinda test I can do on the belt assembly to ensure It's the definite culprit before I purchase a new one?

Not questioning your knowledge! I'm trying to learn from this but if it's easy as replacing the belt and you feel that's definitely the issue I'm all good with that too!

That was the test. You cleaned the transfer belt cleaner and emptied the waste bottle, and it still doesn't clean. One last thing to check: make sure that the transfer waste toner is continuing to feed down to the bottle. If it is, the waste auger system is working correctly.

Buy the new transfer belt assy. =^..^=

[Noob3.0]

Buy the new transfer belt assy. =^..^=

OK, sir, will do!


Hopefully I can locate one.

The manual lists the P/N 40X5403

I googled 'Lexmark 40X5403 Transfer Module Assembly' and get a hit for a P/N 40X7610. It's listed as compatible with X543 printer.

Hopefully that is the case.

I'll do some more digging...

I'll be stoked if this printer works again!

THX for the help so far.. Appreciated...

[blackcat4866]

That is a correct substitution. =^..^=

[Noob3.0]

That is a correct substitution. =^..^=

Cool!

[Noob3.0]

Hi Blackcat,

I finally received a new belt yesterday and the printer works perfectly!

Amazing!

I'm so relieved it worked...

I learned a lot in this venture but needed some expert input so wanted to say thank you for the help and time.

Much appreciated!

[blackcat4866]

Your welcome. Sorry I missed your post on the first go-round. =^..^=