vertical fading

[Mark Bbb]

Re: vertical fading

it could be a piece of paper that constantly is rubbing against the drum, so removing toner from the surface of the drum.
I have had this a few times.
But... if you have replaced the pcu cartridge it is more likely there is a laser problem.
But when it was a laser problem it would be the same problem on 1 color of the 3 to (because the polygon is treating 2 colors at the same time), which isn't the case...
Strange phenomena.

[Phil B.]

Re: vertical fading

Is this something I can clean myself ?

it's NOT going to be the laser glass..
like I stated before.. try a different toner 1st... more likely it's that or the fuser... toner 1st

[kbowald]

Re: vertical fading

it's NOT going to be the laser glass..
like I stated before.. try a different toner 1st... more likely it's that or the fuser... toner 1st

Put in a new toner cassette. I still have the same printing issue.

[kbowald]

Re: vertical fading

Lanier116 is Ricoh CL2000?

How often does the printer get used? Does the printer sit idle for days ?

Does the problem move all over the printout or stays fixed in the same place on every printout?

Does the problem disappear if you replace the paper in the tray first thing every the morning ?




Tech talk:
Is this model a silicone oil based machine (fuser issue) ?
Spent PCU....

The printer usually gets used daily, Monday through Friday. It does not get used heavily, I only print a few pages most days.

The problem does not move. It appears in the exact same location each and every time.

I had not tried replacing the paper, until this morning. That did not help, I still have the faded streak.

[NeoMatrix]

Re: vertical fading

Is the printer sitting in direct sunlight near an open window with sunlight going inside the machine?

Tech talk....
I'm leaning towards the usual spent(used up) PCU dev unit.
May be a weird drum sunlight shock issue.
I vaguely remember a similar PCU/dev drive issue.

[mikadonovan]

Re: vertical fading

Looks like a worn fuser roller to me. Due to the inconsistent nature of the streak top to bottom, this rules out dirty LD shields

[kbowald]

Re: vertical fading

Looks like a worn fuser roller to me. Due to the inconsistent nature of the streak top to bottom, this rules out dirty LD shields

Since I have no IT experience is this something I can check/fix myself?

[mikadonovan]

Re: vertical fading

All right, pastry guy. I don't normally go into this much detail with an end user, but I figure you can probably make a good doughnut, and I love doughnuts.
This machine is really old. So old, I even forgot I used to work on these.
To remove the fuser:
Open the front door
Pull the fuser connector, should be lower left.
Lift up on the two latches at the top (may be green or blue, or black)
Carefully remove the fuser
Inspect the rollers for buildup or damage to the coating
I have no idea where you would find parts for this machine.
Also, I remember these used to go through transfer belts frequently, and a damaged/worn transfer belt could cause the issue you are having.
Best advice is, tell your employer to get you a more up-to- date printer. These things were junky, IMHO, even when new.

[slimslob]

Re: vertical fading

Looks like a worn fuser roller to me. Due to the inconsistent nature of the streak top to bottom, this rules out dirty LD shields

The sample that kbowald provided does not have any color in the area of the image that is affected. If it does not occur with anything except black, then you can rule out the fusing unit and PTR as they would affect all four colors. It is most likely either the PCDU or the black transfer roller inside the ITB unit. If it is the PCDU, kbowald can purchase one from Ebay, Amazon, etc for between $100 to $150 and should be able to replace. If it is the black transfer roller and he wants do it himself, I would recommend replacing the entire ITB unit. $439.95 from Precision Roller.
Ricoh MP C4503 Intermediate Transfer Belt (ITB) Assembly, Genuine (M8701)

[mikadonovan]

Re: vertical fading

The sample that kbowald provided does not have any color in the area of the image that is affected. If it does not occur with anything except black, then you can rule out the fusing unit and PTR as they would affect all four colors. It is most likely either the PCDU or the black transfer roller inside the ITB unit. If it is the PCDU, kbowald can purchase one from Ebay, Amazon, etc for between $100 to $150 and should be able to replace. If it is the black transfer roller and he wants do it himself, I would recommend replacing the entire ITB unit. $439.95 from Precision Roller.
Ricoh MP C4503 Intermediate Transfer Belt (ITB) Assembly, Genuine (M8701)

Pretty sure a c4503 transfer assy wont work in a cl2000. This machine is not worth putting any serious money into it.

[slimslob]

Re: vertical fading

Pretty sure a c4503 transfer assy wont work in a cl2000. This machine is not worth putting any serious money into it.

That is what came up when I searched Ricoh CL2000 ITB.

[Ratchet2501]

Re: vertical fading

The last time I saw this on one of mine it was a damaged developer cartridge. Wasn't letting developer go completely across the auger. But this machine might be completely different.

[NeoMatrix]

Re: vertical fading

I had not tried replacing the paper, until this morning. That did not help, I still have the faded streak.

Just quickly... Did you replace the paper in the tray from a fresh unopened ream of paper ?
What happens when you turn the printed copy over place it back in the tray and print on the other side ?
Does the exact same print pattern issue appear in the same location ?

Print out 10 pages. Turn them over and put them back in the paper tray.
Then print with the same previous 10 pages again.

[NeoMatrix]

Re: vertical fading

The last time I saw this on one of mine it was a damaged developer cartridge. Wasn't letting developer go completely across the auger. But this machine might be completely different.

Yes old vague memory I recall something similar.... Dev drive problem??

[Ratchet2501]

Re: vertical fading

Yes old vague memory I recall something similar.... Dev drive problem??

One screw was pushed so far into the cartridge it didn't hold the cover/seal down on the developer properly.