MP171 spf toner not spinning

[naz71786]

Hi,
Does the toner cartridge spin each time the printer starts up or when you print?. Mine does not spin I have tried force toner but still does not turn. No errors are displayed on the machine. Or will toner only spin when it is low etc.

[slimslob]

You may have a problem with the toner bottle drive. Scattered toner can over the years build up on the toner supply shaft and cause it to stick in the body if the toner supply clutch preventing it from properly engaging the bottle. See items 3, 4, 5 and 21 in the PCU Section of the parts catalog. If you have to remove it, be careful that you don't break the the frame piece that it mounts on.

[sandmanmac]

Toner bottle should spin very regularly.
Slim is right on! I'm betting the spring on the clutch unit is compressed.
Most of the times I've seen it was due to someone not removing the toner bottle cap and forcing the cover closed which warped and twisted the shaft, and it's almost impossible to remove the clutch without damaging the frame when that happens.
Such excellent machines overall back in the day, but what a stupid design for the toner supply on MP161 thru MP201

[slimslob]

Toner bottle should spin very regularly.
Slim is right on! I'm betting the spring on the clutch unit is compressed.
Most of the times I've seen it was due to someone not removing the toner bottle cap and forcing the cover closed which warped and twisted the shaft, and it's almost impossible to remove the clutch without damaging the frame when that happens.
Such excellent machines overall back in the day, but what a stupid design for the toner supply on MP161 thru MP201

Years ago we had a number of them where after removing the retainer clip we could use a pin drift to drive the shaft out.

[naz71786]

I have had a look at items 3,4,5 and 21 as stated by Slim. These look all fine no bent shaft or any issues with the spring. When removing top lid and starting machine up I can see the cog spinning then comes to a halt (only the cog spins not the the supply shaft. I assume that the magnet will engage once the machine needs toner and spin the bottle. Can someone confirm this is correct? I have put the toner back and marked the bottle and will check in a few days to see if the mark has been moved.

[slimslob]

I have had a look at items 3,4,5 and 21 as stated by Slim. These look all fine no bent shaft or any issues with the spring. When removing top lid and starting machine up I can see the cog spinning then comes to a halt (only the cog spins not the the supply shaft. I assume that the magnet will engage once the machine needs toner and spin the bottle. Can someone confirm this is correct? I have put the toner back and marked the bottle and will check in a few days to see if the mark has been moved.

With the toner tray is removed is the retainer clip #21 flat against the back of the clutch? If not there is toner build up on the shaft. The shaft will need to be either cleaned or replaced. If it is free to move properly there are a few of possibilities.

1. The clutch could be bad
2. The connection for the clutch could be bad
3. The BICU could be bad
4. It could be the wrong toner bottle. Compare the bottom of the bottle with the coupling on the toner supply shaft.

[Ricoh-ono]

Just in case this wasn't looked at. Check that you have the correct toner bottle for that model. I've had customers drop in the wrong bottle. They look the same side by side, but the drive at the end of the bottle is shaped differently. Otherwise, I agree with the postings listed above.

[naz71786]

I did look at the retainer clip on the back of the machine and it was flat against the back but i think i will first try to take it apart and clean it all up. I have tried the new toner bottle and old one and both dont spin.
is the bottle meant to spin as soon as i push it back in the machine and the clutch engages?

[sandmanmac]

There's you problem.
The bottle is meant to spin when the dev is thirsty for toner.
If the machine is currently showing toner low/ out, yes it will (or should) start turning right away, otherwise it will add it here and there (typically a little bit every few pages)

[naz71786]

Further Update. Since last time the machine was working fine but now I have the "Add Toner" message come up. I took the top cover off and can see the cog on the clutch spinning but toner is not turning. The shaft and drive spring look fine they are not compressed when the bottle is taken out. I can press the spring in and it retracts back to original place. Also I checked the D is lined up of the shaft and this is fine too.
When I remove the bottle the clutch engages and the toner supply shaft starts to turn. It is not turning fast so maybe it does not have enough torque when the bottle is pressed against it. I assume it can only be the clutch or hopper (I have taken the hopper apart and cleaned it)
Not sure whether to change the clutch and see if that solves the issue.