MP4500 Add Toner Indicator

[Caveman]

I have a MP4500 that will not tone-up - goes into an "Add Toner "display and the copies are faded and washed out. Developer was recently replaced - SP values changes given by RICOH to address this type of specific problem are not changing conditions. Needed to install new developer and drum - re-initialized and only then could I regain an acceptable copy. Note: while troubleshooting this particular problem I attempted to run SP 2207 Forced Toner in hopes of darkening the image - running 'forced toner' did not darken the copies at all. Hopper was also swapped out - no change in condition. Copies appear to be without sufficient toner. Contacted manufacturer and was told that it could possibly be a drum ground problem - to date I have not found any of the machines I service to have grounding problems. If anyone has any information on this problem please advise - thank you.

Caveman

[slot]

after a good clean of the mag roller etc i allways check the charge bias voltage in sp 2001 for copy it should be about 1550v if the m/c has had a cq problem it will often jack the voltage up re set this and it may improve the copies good luck

[Ricoh-ono]

You may have already checked this. Do you have the correct toner bottle and is the toner bottle motor turning?

[TonerMunkeh]

There's a duff batch of toner doing the rounds where the moulding on the bottom of the bottle isn't cast correctly so the machine struggles to drive it. You'll hear two clicks in 4-5 second spaces, that's the machine trying to drive the bottle.

Also, take the cap off the toner hopper and check the mylars, they may have come off. Don't try and glue them back on, just replace the part.

[fitsy.13]

I have a MP4500 that will not tone-up - goes into an "Add Toner "display and the copies are faded and washed out. Developer was recently replaced - SP values changes given by RICOH to address this type of specific problem are not changing conditions. Needed to install new developer and drum - re-initialized and only then could I regain an acceptable copy. Note: while troubleshooting this particular problem I attempted to run SP 2207 Forced Toner in hopes of darkening the image - running 'forced toner' did not darken the copies at all. Hopper was also swapped out - no change in condition. Copies appear to be without sufficient toner. Contacted manufacturer and was told that it could possibly be a drum ground problem - to date I have not found any of the machines I service to have grounding problems. If anyone has any information on this problem please advise - thank you.

Caveman

i have had this problem on a couple of these machine and ended up changing the toner supply pump ricoh have had a slight issue with the small clutch inside it

[TonerMunkeh]

fitsy is that the MP or the MPC?

[fitsy.13]

fitsy is that the MP or the MPC?

yes soz its the mpc just to tired to think straight

[TonerMunkeh]

I understand and sympathise, I'm off my face on strong painkillers

[Caveman]

MP 4500 Follow-Up

Thanks to all the responses given regarding the toner add problems I have been experiencing on the MP4500 series. I have confirmed that the toner bottle spins when calling for toner - also, hopper mylars are in place. What I also want to mention is that the mag roller had a very thick build up of toner residue - used a scotch brite pad to clean surface. My experience on the majority of MP4500's is that they are extremely difficult to regulate - and now I am also finding that the MP4000/5000 series is presenting a list of similar issues regarding premature drum/developer failure and ongoing copy quality problems similar to the MP4500.

Thanks again for all the valuable input - I appreciate everyone's time for offering help with this situation.

Caveman