C4500 Fading to blank

[ricoh_rockstar]

Independent technician here, a potential customer sent me this (Attached)
Any ideas what can be causing this problem? Laser related maybe? I have not performed any test yet, equipment is on a very remote location.

Thank you for your time.


30716243_10213243070024970_4316929078692151296_n.jpg

[Gary Bowen]

Re: C4500 Fading to blank

Do both copying and printing exhibit this problem? SEF or LEF orientation? Do ALL colours show this problem (i.e. if you run a single page colour for C,M,Y is this problem there) or is it just Black?

[slimslob]

Re: C4500 Fading to blank

Common cause is dust or toner on the laser shield glass

[ricoh_rockstar]

Re: C4500 Fading to blank

Do both copying and printing exhibit this problem? SEF or LEF orientation? Do ALL colours show this problem (i.e. if you run a single page colour for C,M,Y is this problem there) or is it just Black?

Customer says only BW shows this problem, in both copies and prints.
I will take a look tomorrow and run tests on my own.

[sandmanmac]

Re: C4500 Fading to blank

Customer says only BW shows this problem, in both copies and prints.
I will take a look tomorrow and run tests on my own.

K-Dev and/or PCU. Plus clean shield glass(es) as Slim suggested

[Oze]

Re: C4500 Fading to blank

Didn't the MPC4500 have laser shutters that would sometimes obstruct the slit glasses?
Or am I thinking of the MPC4000?
Both old machines so it's been a while

[slimslob]

Re: C4500 Fading to blank

MP C2000, MP C2500, MP C3000, MP C3500 and MP C4500 all had s shutter plate.

[Zeldaman]

Re: C4500 Fading to blank

Hi there!
Had this only once on a 2500-machine, all colors OK, black was fading away. After cleaning the laser-glasses and removing the shutter ( rust at the slits of the shoulderscrews !) never had this problem again.
Greetings...

[zed255]

Re: C4500 Fading to blank

In extreme cases of dirty environment or very prolonged exposure to moderately dirty environments I have seen dirt collect on the polygon mirror and other internal optic surfaces cause similar.

Should the aforementioned easier fixes not pan out you might need to look inside the laser unit. There was firmware to address the shutter movement issue but it can just be removed if required.

These optics are all first surface reflecting and as such require extra care to avoid damaging them. Clean, soft, lint free cloth and a few drops of a no ammonia cleaner, or just water on the cloth. Gentle wipe, gentle dry, leave no streaks or scratches.

[DRichard]

Re: C4500 Fading to blank

Hi there!
Had this only once on a 2500-machine, all colors OK, black was fading away. After cleaning the laser-glasses and removing the shutter ( rust at the slits of the shoulderscrews !) never had this problem again.
Greetings...

Ditto on this. I would also disable the shutter drive motor in service mode.