2045eSP with SC337

[nodle]

Been fighting this problem for over 2 weeks. I'll try to keep this short.
The 1st tech. replaced the polygon mirror motor without any luck.

The second tech. messed with the door switches, and was able to get the machine to copy. He made 100 - 150 copies, and cleared the call. The problem reoccurred 2 days later. That's where I come in.

I started with another polygon mirror motor. I was able to print a meter, and internal reports but, as soon as I tried to copy it went in to a SC 337, so I put the first mirror motor back in, and found the same that printing worked fine but copying would SC 337.

I called Ricoh and now 2 weeks later, and a BICU, I/O, Scanner Interface, and an Operations Panel, and firmware upgrade later, and also talking to I believe 3 or 4 people. The last person had me try to scan to the Document Server, and the machine went into a SC 337. He then had me try to do a beam pitch clear, and adjust. Still no luck. Finally he had me set SP 2981 to a 2 setting the polygon mirror switch to 45cpm. Amazingly it worked... but when I played with it trying to see if I could replicate the problem by setting SP 2981 to a 1 setting the switch to 35 cpm it still worked. I could not make it go into a SC 337. I have left the machine set with SP 2981 at 45 cpm, and i made over 400 copies. The Ricoh help told me to order a entire laser unit, and a polygon motor cable harness just in case it comes back. It has now been an entire day with out a call back.

I just don't have that warm fuzzy feeling about this fix. Has anyone else had this problem or have any further ideas?

[TonerMunkeh]

If it went into SC337 when you scanned to the doc server I'd be looking more into the controller board than the laser system. Try swapping the controller with another machine of the same type and see if the fault moves.

Also, try the harness running from the laser unit to the BICU, possibly the LD drive board too.

What a pain in the backside this problem is!

[Star]

Many times I have had the same type of experience you are describing. Where a problem just goes away for no apparent reason. BUT, one or two times in my career, the problem has never returned.

The odds are against you. But just cross your fingers and tell the machine you'll give it that special rub every time you see it. And maybe the problem will stay gone . (I swear, every machine has a personality of it's own.)

Regards

[nodle]

UPDATE
I have been back to the customer a couple more times. Now added to my list of things tried is the Scanner Interface Cable and The Lens Unit. After those parts was still getting SC 337. I've been able to reset it each visit, and make a ton of copies, only to be called back the following day.

2 days ago I took the entire scanner unit to another customers sight and swapped with that customer just to see if the problem would follow. I could not get the second machine to produce the SC 337, so I temporarily left that scanner there. I took the second customers scanner back to my first account. I ran another ton of copies with no failures. SO.... currently both machines are running fine. I have called the customers and they are reporting no problems.

I still have a feeling that one of these machines is going to come up with the code agian, but I have also seen problems vanish for no aparrent reason. Maybe the scanner just needed some time out of the office, to take a cruise in the country side.

All I can do is cross my fingers, and wait to see.

Thanks for the input.This is one I will not soon forget. I will keep everyone posted.

[tungnhung]

Polygon motor error

[nodle]

Thanks for the reply but that has been tried multiple time.

[stig]

I had a similar fault a couple of years ago where the sc error code had something to do with the laser unit area. (sorry can't remember exact code) like you tried everything and fault kept on reoccuring. ended up replacing all the door switches and fault never came back. Hope this helps, good luck.

[schooltech]

I'm sure this comment has been beat to death, but how is the power situation? Has anything been upgraded, moved, etc?

Many times, beaver heaters are installed and this can cause the copiers to do really stupid things, throw erratic codes, and eventually strain the LVPS so much that it ends up affecting other boards.

I used to have a nice 300.00 power tester that I would have in my vehicle, and anytime any stupid codes were thrown, I'd do a quick power check. Surprisingly, a "new fridge" or something was installed in an adjacent room over the weekend.

I'm just throwing this one out there, as codes like these can really suck sometimes.

[Star]

I have also seen several times where a circuit board, memory, etc will work fine in one machine, but not quite right in another. Not sure why.

This is just part of my ongoing theory research that each machine has it's own personality.

Call it slight manufacturing tolerances, minor electrical component tolerance differences, whatever. I call it personality.

Regards

[stig]

Star

I agree with you..maybe like us techs the machines we work on don't like going or being in certain customers and are tying to get out as quick as possible, a bit at a time by parts replacement.. mmmmmmmmm The truth is out there!!!!!!

[nodle]

Update
It's been almost 4 weeks and both machines are still running great.
I guess the scanner unit just wanted to get out of the office for a little while. I am baffled, but there's nothing to troubleshoot at this point. i am happy that they are both working. (Knock on wood)

I want to thank everyone for their input.

[nodle]

IT IS BACK WITH A VENGANCE!!!

Just shy of 10 months with no problems, and now the second customers machine has begun to kick SC 337. I think I want to cry.(LOL)

Well I think I can safely say that the problem is in that scanner unit. I will be starting by looking at all the harnesses.

If anybody has any further advice I will happily execpt any input. (Including shoving the thing down an open elevator shaft. HaHa)

[sakura]

This SC code related to few possible causes:

- I/F harness of the polygonal mirror motor disconnected or defective (check all connectors for a poor harness connection also if they were connected properly). Sometimes even a new motor could be defective.
- Polygonal mirror motor or polygonal mirror motor driver defective (check the driver).
- Polygonal mirror motor drive pulse is not output incorrectly (could be a defective motor even a brand new).
- GABIC cannot monitor XSCRDY signal.
- Polygon mirror motor control board
- LDB (laser detection board) is defective
- SC337 issue ~ modified BICU board serial # starts with letters OZ or the #1, repaired board has blue mark on the serial # label

Good luck!