Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

[alphablaster]

Hello everyone and happy new year !

i am working on Ricoh Aficio MP 3353SP copier, and this is what it does;

copying and scanning = Faint (from ADF and exposure glass)
Printing = good quality

Since the printing is okay, i don't think that it is a developing or drum unit.

Cleaned the optics also and still the same. Is there any chance to be the led bar's fault ?

[anothertech]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

I say service the PCU, new drum, charge roller, developer.

[copyaction]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

If it is not the drum and developer, try lifting the front left corner of the scanner and see if there is any improvement.
The earlier series of these would suffer from issues when customers would lean on the left corner.

[slimslob]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

More than likely it is dirty optics. This causes a shift in the grey scale when the white reference is read at power on or coming out of sleep mode. It is a slow process as the dust builds over time but eventually the shift becomes noticeable as light copies and scans.

[sandmanmac]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

There is a common, yet weird behavior, on these type PCU's as they near the end of their life.
Yes, copies can get faint while prints are still good. I've seen it countless times and don't recall having heard about or read an explanation for it .
You can set the Filter setting SP2907 (001 thru 005) up to 8 or 9 to improve the copy quality.
However, you mentioned the scan quality is faint too.
This indicates that you've not cleaned the optics thoroughly / properly.
I have NEVER had an issue where the LED was the problem - unless it failed completely

[KeviM]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

This is what I do when I have this problem

1) Full service
2) Replace PCU. As some of the other techs also mentioned
3) Strip the optics and fully clean. This includes removing the lens and cleaning in between. ( Do not open the factory marked screws). As slimslob mentioned, it is a strong possibility that it is the optics.
4) Take laser unit out, strip and service.
Now do some test prints and copies. If the problem persists
5) SP4918 Man gamma adj. Adjust the ID max 20 +/- on each page.
That should correct the problem

All the best friend.

[alphablaster]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

I say service the PCU, new drum, charge roller, developer.

Done that, it was the first thing to do but nothing ! Thank you though once again !

[alphablaster]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

If it is not the drum and developer, try lifting the front left corner of the scanner and see if there is any improvement.
The earlier series of these would suffer from issues when customers would lean on the left corner.

Oh you are right ! I didn't think of that, i will try that also and I will let you know ! Thank you.

[alphablaster]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

More than likely it is dirty optics. This causes a shift in the grey scale when the white reference is read at power on or coming out of sleep mode. It is a slow process as the dust builds over time but eventually the shift becomes noticeable as light copies and scans.

I will check out the grey scale and I'll let you know ! Thank you !!

[alphablaster]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

This is what I do when I have this problem

1) Full service
2) Replace PCU. As some of the other techs also mentioned
3) Strip the optics and fully clean. This includes removing the lens and cleaning in between. ( Do not open the factory marked screws). As slimslob mentioned, it is a strong possibility that it is the optics.
4) Take laser unit out, strip and service.
Now do some test prints and copies. If the problem persists
5) SP4918 Man gamma adj. Adjust the ID max 20 +/- on each page.
That should correct the problem

All the best friend.

I will do a full service, clean the optics again and try all the others ! Thank you so much !

[alphablaster]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

There is a common, yet weird behavior, on these type PCU's as they near the end of their life.
Yes, copies can get faint while prints are still good. I've seen it countless times and don't recall having heard about or read an explanation for it .
You can set the Filter setting SP2907 (001 thru 005) up to 8 or 9 to improve the copy quality.
However, you mentioned the scan quality is faint too.
This indicates that you've not cleaned the optics thoroughly / properly.
I have NEVER had an issue where the LED was the problem - unless it failed completely

I have never had an issue before either but it was a thought, you never know with these machines hahaha.
I will clean the optics again and do all the suggestions you guys told me ! Thank you!

[slimslob]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

There is a common, yet weird behavior, on these type PCU's as they near the end of their life.
Yes, copies can get faint while prints are still good. I've seen it countless times and don't recall having heard about or read an explanation for it .
You can set the Filter setting SP2907 (001 thru 005) up to 8 or 9 to improve the copy quality.
However, you mentioned the scan quality is faint too.
This indicates that you've not cleaned the optics thoroughly / properly.
I have NEVER had an issue where the LED was the problem - unless it failed completely

Most of the drums for the 22/27 and 25/30/33 ppm models will start causing black spots on copies after 80K. It starts from both ends of the drum and slowly works its way inward.

[sandmanmac]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

Most of the drums for the 22/27 and 25/30/33 ppm models will start causing black spots on copies after 80K. It starts from both ends of the drum and slowly works its way inward.

Obviously there comes a time where PCU replacement is the only option.
I'm just saying that I've generally been able to extend the life somewhat by changing these settings, and am not aware of any downside as I've done it to almost all of the units I have in the field.
BTW, I learned this from someone here on CTN many years ago.

[alphablaster]

Re: Faint copies and scanning ricoh mp 3353

Replaced the PCDU once again but with an original one and it's fixed ! Thank you all for your advises !!!