Canon IPF9000 Tank Detection Issue

[ipf9000]

Good Morning and Happy New Year to all!

I've recently obtained a imagePROGRAF iPF9000 printer. However, I cannot use it, as one of the ink tank bays refuses to detect any tank installed - genuine or aftermarket. This means that the printer will not let me do anything with it - it won't let me into menus! Service Mode doesn't gain me any access either.

Troubleshooting completed;

• Swapped tank out for others that are known working
• Terminals in tank unit and tank cleaned
• Cable bundle continuity tested
• Ink detection board swapped for other side's one - fault did not follow the board (board QM3-0982)
• Inspected mainboard, detection board, cables

Firmware is latest, so I can't go ahead and reflash. I've also removed RTC battery overnight to no avail. L Service Tool only shows expected errors of tank not detected.

Parts are pretty much unobtainable, and I'd rather not scrap this unit if it's fixable.

Any help would be gladly appreciated - have I missed a troubleshooting step? Has someone seen this before?

[Canuck]

Re: Canon IPF9000 Tank Detection Issue

If the printheads plug up on these, they overheat, short and fry the main controller quite often. When we do service calls(Canon), if head is past warranty(one year), it/they must be replaced before main con can be replaced safely. I don't know if that is your issue without looking at inf and status prints/files,etc

[ipf9000]

Re: Canon IPF9000 Tank Detection Issue

Thanks for replying!

That would make sense - previous owner did say he tried some weird 'ink' in it and it plugged a print head. I have replacement heads installed, but the controller board is unobtainable used here in New Zealand, and a new one is NZ$1600 from Canon. I paid NZ$100 for the printer, so I'll just sit on this until I can find a cheaper option on the board.

Status print report:
Statusprint - Pastebin.com

Print INF report:
PrintINF - Pastebin.com

[Canuck]

Re: Canon IPF9000 Tank Detection Issue

The ink also cools the printhead when functioning. If ink tubes plug(from crappy ink, plugged cap absorbers,etc), the heads can overheat. Changed a few main controllers on ipfXXXXs(4 digit..graphic machines). Not as many on CAD models(3 digit). No ink cartridge detection with what you have already done..probably needs a controller