AR168D blank copies

**repn1999** · 05-25-2010

Hello I have an AR168D copier that I have been using at my house since it was new. One day the thing just starts shooting blanks. Have always Kept it on one of those AR5133T power filters and changed the consumables as directed. When the blank copies started I had just changed all the stuff out like a month before and reset everything etc. Machine has 29K on it and has been used no more then average over the last couple years. I never really work on the smaller copiers much other then replacing a drum or toner or something like that so Im kinda stuck. I dont have any machines to swap parts from so really Im asking for advise here from someone who knows the AR168s well. Any ideas?

**blackcat4866** · 05-25-2010

Could the scanner lock be On or partially On? Friction from the scan rail can cause the same effect. If yes, all your scans will be an image of one little narrow area of the white plate, essentially blank. =^..^=

**repn1999** · 05-25-2010

Scanner lock is not on and optic unit functions mechanically as it should. If u print or fax to it, everything is blank. No strange noises or anything just shooting blanks.

**blackcat4866** · 05-26-2010

If it was a laser problem you would get beam detect codes or shifted images. The actual optical path may be obstructed between the laser & the drum, but there is no laser shutter on this model.

Since you do not get any image from facsimile or prints you may be losing transfer. The transfer wire might be broken or you may have a shorted transfer endblock, or have a staple laying across the transfer wire. I've never seen a bad HVT, but that doesn't make it impossible. Do you get a latent image on the drum if you emergency stop the machine while the paper is on the drum? If there is a latent image, it's definitely transfer.

I suppose that it's possible that you've lost developer agitation. Prints would get lighter and lighter until they went completely blank. If you were to remove the developing unit there would be a blank area on the front of the mag roller, that would fill in when rotated.

I would tend to discount a main drive problem. You would not get paper to pass if the drum did not rotate.

I don't know if I've helped you any, but there it is... =^..^=

**repn1999** · 05-26-2010

This wasn't a gradual decline of copy quality until blank. This was a turn it on one morning and everything is blank. Maintenance was done less than 1500 copies ago. Charge wire was replaced. I don't even own a stapler so I doubt it's that. One of the other techs looked at it and said he thinks it's the main board. Already tried another dv unit with no change. Idk but I'm not real happy with this copier being broken with such a low count. Anymore ideas??

**blackcat4866** · 05-26-2010

Which charge wire was replaced? (usually primary) The transfer generally gets ignored. And I still haven't heard about that latent image.

Not owning a stapler does not repel staples.

Replacing a developing unit does not guarantee that there is drive to the mag roller.