iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

[segfault]

We're having a problem with our Canon imageRunner C3170u. Suddenly, most of our color prints are coming out bad. The colors are very faint and seem to be imprecise on the page. Scans of some test prints are below:

http://i39.tinypic.com/28l7zvp.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/fxqzv6.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/2pq6fjd.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2vc84ti.jpg

As you can see, occasionally, it will print a page which looks normal. This is the exception and not the rule. I would guess that around 90% of the color prints display the symptoms shown in the bad prints above. Black always prints fine, even when it's on a four color page.

It currently has a pagecount of 292,000. I show that the fixing unit was last replaced on 11/15/2011 at 239,000 copies; the drum was last replaced on 11/26/2012 at 265,000 copies; and the ITB cleaning blade was replaced on 11/29/2012 at 265,000 copies. Can anyone provide any ideas on what might be causing this problem?

We haven't had quite as many horror stories with this machine as some others here seem to have had. However, it hasn't been trouble free, and at this point, we plan to replace the machine before the next fixing unit is due (it will probably take us about a year to hit 349,000 copies). It would be nice to be able to print in color between now and when we replace it, though. I appreciate everyone's assistance!

[vamoursly]

[Ron314]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

Interesting. Actually I'm impressed with the number of copies that your little 3170 put out so far. Anyhow, you say that it just happened all of a sudden? I can't quite remember if there is an auto gradation image adjustment routine on those copiers, but you could maybe try that. I'm thinking that perhaps there could have been a software glitch or a "crazy operator button pushing" that may have adjusted the colour/color gradation settings inadvertently. In attempt to pursue the same reasoning you could also try unplugging the copier from the wall and re-plugging it in with the hopes of rebooting the copier and hopefully restarting the colors/colours correctly, which has worked for me on other irc models in the past.


Ron

[segfault]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

Interesting. Actually I'm impressed with the number of copies that your little 3170 put out so far.

Haha, you mean most of them implode before that? I rebooted everything (including unplugging it from the wall), then attempted an auto gradation adjustment, which failed because the machine thought that the test print was incorrectly placed on the scanner glass. It was actually placed correctly, but the print was poor (like the test prints I posted).

How old are your dev units; looking at the pictures you uploaded toner isnt being applied evenly, thats the first thing I would look at.

Color dev units have about 12,000 copies on each, according to the service menu. They are original to the copier so far as I know. The counter on the copier itself shows around 8,000 color copies during its lifetime.

If they are within PM I would give them a stir, look through the forum on this, then personally I would take this option;

I did that for a couple of minutes (I'm not sure how long I'm supposed to let them stir before stopping the procedure). It then printed three good test pages, and a crappy gradation adjustment page (which it again rejected). I just tried to print 20 copies of a color sign from my computer, and got 4 good prints, so it works decently around 20% of the time.

I would probably enter into a red bull soapbox race it and see how far I got down the hill

I was leaning toward taking it out to a field, like they did in Office Space.

In all seriousness gonna be either the devs or the drum to produce images like that, best of luck

Given the age of the machine and the cost of the dev units, I don't see replacing them. Definitely better off to get a new machine. The drum should still be good, but it seems like they start giving us issues around 50,000 copies, so I may give that a try unless someone has a better idea.

Thanks to both of you for the responses!

Edited to add: The service menu shows that the separation static eliminator is past due. Would this have any effect on what we're seeing?

[charm5496]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

More than likely your developer units are shot.
I would honestly take the money you are looking to invest in this unit and put it towards something newer.
These units are a mechanical nightmare and you would be better off with something that it is more reliable and provides better quality output.

[Simons]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

I agree, the dev units looks shot. This machine probably used too much color too and that's something you cant do on this one or the 5800 series. I am unfortunately an expert on these two machines. I got one 6870 to 3million!!! Shocked the support center !!

[Ron314]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

It could be something like that, at that count volume you are in territory that I am not familiar with. My last irc 3170i only went to about 50k before it was traded in. Though, the random inconsistencies do tend to point to an intermittent problem like stray static or a loose connector ? But how the heck would it never effect a black copy . . .. hmmmmm ?!


Ron

[segfault]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

I agree, the dev units looks shot. This machine probably used too much color too and that's something you cant do on this one or the 5800 series.

It's only done 12-13,000 color copies, the rest of those clicks are B&W. I'm not a copier expert, but I can't help but wonder why all three of the color developers would go bad at the same time. At any rate, I think the plan at this point is to continue using it as a B&W copier (which is a task it can still perform) until the fixing unit wears out (or something else causes it to croak), then replace it, which should occur in the next 12-18 months.

Thanks again for the replies. I really hope the newer models are less troublesome than this one!

[Simons]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

If you lay down too much color it destroys the developers. For example Christmas time is here and you go printing big pictures that have alot of red in it. You can trash a Magenta / Yellow dev units. This machine was made for LOW COLOR use ONLY.

[charm5496]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

all 3 developer units are crapping out at the same time because the starter inside of them has beyond its usable life. Keep in mind that this unit puts color patches on the ITB and drum during warm up and initial rotations so those developer units can still take your B/W copier out of commission even though you are not using them.

[Canon.Tech]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

I work on this model a lot sadly!


On this machine the most likely cause is either the drum is shot or simply the patch sensor is dirty.
Simply start by cleaning the patch sensor, then turn the machine off for about 30 mins & power it back on, it will then perform autogradation, then try some test prints I would bet that improves the colour quality.

[segfault]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

Fitted a new drum, no change at all. I think I'm done with this piece of junk! Thanks for all of the responses.

[northernlife]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

make sure you clean the patch sensor. But yes. This is the only Canon we have EVER had to go back to the customer 3 months and 11 calls later and go "Ok listen we effed up. This machine is a pile of crap and we're offering to buy it back and you can purchase a 2880" This particular customer still has the 2880 with nothing out of the ordinary. You can buy used 2880/3080/3380's for 800 bucks fully loaded btw. I highly suggest you do so.

[Canon.Tech]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

After replacing the drum did you clean the patch sensor & then do an auto gradation?Yes this is an awful machine but I still have dozens of these out I keep them maintained OK without any major issues.

[segfault]

Re: iR C3170 blurry and faded colors

I cleaned the patch sensor before I ordered the new drum. I'm leery of buying anything used, at this point, since I know what a heap our "used" 3170 will be. I hope it goes straight to the recycler!

How is the ImageRUNNER Advance C2230 (or should I create a separate topic for that)? Should we look at any other brands? We would be doing between 30,000-70,000 copies per year, probably 5% of them in color. We would want the basic finisher/stapler and plan to keep the unit for over 5 years.