[Error Code] Canon IR 6020i E0061-0001 code and a light band in center of page

[Desert Rat]

,
I just sold this machine a couple of months ago. It has about 650K on the meter.
Before placement I cleaned this machine and replaced the charger wires and cleaning
blade. Polished the drum, clean the optics etc.
It had given this code and I called the wholesaler and requested a replacement potential
sensor. This seemed to fix the problem at the time. But it has come back and can't
get past the code unless I turn the sensor off. Then the copies are very dark, even with the lightest settings for density and exposure.
The book sez: check the laser shutter, someone suggested I tape it open. I removed
it. So it is not in the way.
A couple of days before it started giving a light copy in the center. The density just
dropped. Text is faded. A sky shot shows a light band about 35mm wide running from
left to right, in track with paper travel. It is not blank, just an area of low density.
I removed the drum to look for something that would match up with this defect.
But now it is stuck on E00061-0001. The book recommends to replace the potential
sensor and board as a pair. The sensor I installed I'm sure was used.
The book also sez the laser or the DC Controller could also be at fault.
The dev mag roller looks in ok shape as far as being dull in appearence with no nicks.
The strings are missing from the transfer/separation charger, but I don't believe
this is causing a problem. The erase lamp comes on when I run the program.
VDT & VDM are within 1v (359v & 360v). Dpotk starts out at about 265 and ends up
at 8v. I am not quite sure how to interpet this info or what it is pointing to.
Can anyone please shine some light on this for me? I am leaning toward replacing
the sensor & board as a pair.
It thinks it is going to make black copy, according to the definition of the code.

Thanks

DR

[charm5496]

IMO you are thinking backwards on this. The error code is not producing the light streak...It is probably the other way around since the sensor for the potential controller reads towards the middle of your drum. Fix you image quality so your density is even all the way across and your error code should be resolved and you can turn potential contol back on as well.

Developer assembly, Primary charging assembly, Laser assembly are good suspects.

[teckat]

check laser unit

If VL1M is greater than VL1T it may be necessary to replace the Photo Conductor Drum.

[Fer]

Yes focus on getting the image right with PO-CTRL off. The laser is blanking is this machine, a dark image could mean the laserbeam not powerfull enough. Also check the cleaning blade for bending and maybe the Primary charging assy is not charging the drum enough. Could be primary corrona, wiring, connection or HVT problem.

[Desert Rat]

teckat,
VL1M is 235V and VL1T is at 115V. Is this an automatic drum replacement?

Fer, I had replaced all the corona's a couple of months ago and the optics are clean. I did not notice
a copy quality problem that would indicate a blade flip. Did you mean the laser is used for blanking
on this machine? I think you fingers got tangled in that one sentence.

When I turn the sensor off I get a dark copy with a series of lines (top to bottom) that look like
the ribs on the transport belts. Complete with a space in the middle where the belts don't
cover. Either that or it reminds me of the primary grid pattern.
Is it possible to adjust around this so my customer can get a good copy. I would rather replace the
drum, but I know it is a spendy item at a time when cash flow is low.
I don't suppose a drum from an IR550/600 would work. I think its bigger. Time to check part numbers

Thanks for the advice, let me know if you think of anything else.

DR

[D_L_P]

Dpotk starts out at about 265 and ends up
at 8v.

That might be an issue, starting out with a potential of 265v. It should start closer to 0v. I'd check your pre-conditioning lamp or drum ground. That might also explain the dark copies when potential control is off, weak ground or dirty pre-conditioning lamp.

Another thing to check for low density in the middle is the tension on the primary wires. If they are loose they will actually wobble similar to a plucked guitar string.

[mrfixit51]

For clarity of thought...

Hi DR,

The laser writes to white on this copier, not to black like on almost everything else out there. So when you are thinking laser, remember that it is erasing all the image that is not black, instead of writing the blacks in the image.

[teckat]

VL1T
Indicates the target value of the light-area potential (VL1) for copying.

VL1M
Indicates the measurement taken of the light-area potential (VL1) for copying.
(optimum value: ; reference only)

your measurement seems out of line

[Desert Rat]

Thank you all for your advice.
Charm5496 and fer, your comments help lead me to the problem. Just by focusing on the CQ.
I found a tech that repairs the laser units he said that the mirrors in the IR5000/6000 series
are more appt to movement from a move than most. What happens is as the mirrors
move, the projection of the beam moves and just barely shines on part of the molded
plastic frame. This accounts for the darker copy when potential is off. The lightness
in the center is probably caused by the primary coron's not having enough tention.
Before I replaced the laser I made a few adjustments. I adjusted the laser PVE-OFST
from +6 to +40. This helped with the lightness in the center. I then increased the
developer bias from 180v to 210 volts. This also helped get the copy quality back.
Another reason for the light copy was the target I was using for a black copy through
the scanner.
After I replaced the laser I went back over the adjustments and re-adjusted them
down closer to the label. Ran forced potential control a couple of times, no codes.
Done. The new laser gave me better quality half tones and solids.
A good lesson for me. Of coarse I read the chapter on Image Formation
two or three times to help me figure a lot of this out.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

DR

[charm5496]

way to go Desert Rat!!!
And good job following up with the final solution so if someone has a similar issue in the future it might help point them in the right direction.

[Desert Rat]

Team work makes life better. I like that feeling.

Thanks for your help

DR