Ricoh aficio 551

[aabarnes1]

Had this re-occuring fault, sc124, did most of the usual,(clean, sp mode,fu) evry time I arrive on site the machine is flying along, however I do see the sc logged, but I can't re-generate it. Ricoh suggest the usual bullshit of replacing every board in every machine in the building! Anybody else had this problem(with the machine not ricoh) Thanx

[kjg]

copying books?

how many are logged?

What is the chance the customer is copying books on the platen & pressing down on the binding of the book. This could cause the scanner to hit the side frame and cause the code..

Just a thought.

[aabarnes1]

551

There are 7 logged in the last 4 days, along with a couple 990,s !

[Fearless V K]

Check the set screw on the scanner pulley. They can back out or break.

[KopyKat]

Does the scanner slam back to the home position as well? It should glide back to the home position without any bumping noise or in extreme cases actually rocking the machine. This was/is fairly common on this series of copiers.

There is a TSB #34 on this problem. New screws for the scanner pulleys, New style MCU (Motor Control Board).

Check the set screw in the pulleys as Fearless suggests and check the tension of the scanner drive belt at the motor. If neither solves the problem, I would replace the MCU and Scanner Drive Motor as a set.

[schooltech]

I think the board does something to the sensitivity to the HP sensor, and it has improved logic.

Yeah, check the screws, as they were changed out with hex heads and medium-duty threadlock (blue.)

The nice thing (I guess) is that changing out the scanner shaft isn't really that hard at all. Pop off the df, a few top panels, a board and motor I believe, and then carefully take the old shaft out of the back of the machine. Most of us have done a few, and the df is probably the most difficult, as it's a bit awkward to lift off and put back on if the copier is in a tight spot.

Also, make sure that every sensor and flag are in the proper place, and this can be hard to see, along with just a bit too much scanner drag. I think I had one pop a photosensor out of place and move it just enough to still work, but with a broken leg on it, ended up causing problems.

[aabarnes1]

I'm back in there 1st thing monday morning so I'll deffo check all you guys have suggested, thanks a lot and I'll post on monday to feedback

[aabarnes1]

Does the scanner slam back to the home position as well? It should glide back to the home position without any bumping noise or in extreme cases actually rocking the machine. This was/is fairly common on this series of copiers.

There is a TSB #34 on this problem. New screws for the scanner pulleys, New style MCU (Motor Control Board).

Check the set screw in the pulleys as Fearless suggests and check the tension of the scanner drive belt at the motor. If neither solves the problem, I would replace the MCU and Scanner Drive Motor as a set.

No the scanner doesn't slam home

[totoro]

I'm with Fearless V K, when the set screw starts to go then you will be able to reset the code by rebooting the machine. This can go on for weeks or months depending on usage, but eventually it will break the whole way and start banging. Check it now and you maybe able to get it tightened or easier changed .

[Ollie1981]

I'd order up some hexagon screws, MCU board and (just in case) a home position sensor and replace 'em before they snap. That'd be literally half an hour of a job.

I had one recently where the screw in the rear pulley had snapped leaving half of it in the driveshaft, then you have to take off the D/F and most of the covers and frame surrounding the scanner, take off the scanner motor and carefully pull the shaft out of the pulleys and bearings. If you take it slow and easy you can take out the shaft without having to take the scanner wire off the pulleys.

But it's still a pain in the arse!!

[bonnie750]

I'd order the shaft as well. if the screw head breaks off as you are removing it is highly probable that it will be impossible to remove the broken threaded portion

cut an old shaft into 4" lengths and use these to hold the drums in position when you're pushing the new shaft through. best to tape the cables in situ on the drums

[aabarnes1]

Thanks lads, screws and shaft it is then!

[aabarnes1]

551 sc124

Well I replaced the home position sensor, tightened the pulley/shaft hex screws and adjusted the scanner motor timing belt and all of these together seem to have done the trick, so thanks for all the input in this

[schooltech]

Until the SC124 shows up next week!!! You just think it's fixed.

I would still order those items; they're not expensive and it's good to have one shaft and the screws ready to go in the future.

These error codes can be a pain, as it can feel like you've fixed it until it throws the code again, but hopefully you did fix it. Make sure that the movement of everything is extremely easy to operate and there is nothing hanging up the operation of the scanner.

[tcs04]

Believe this can be the PSU as well!