Ricoh MP4000 Says add toner -Lite Copies

[copierfixer]

Band New MP4000 not even 3 weeks old. says add toner on screen it has a full bottle and toner hopper appears to be adding toner. and Hopper motor is working. Copies will slowly wash out. Have tried a different hopper and even dump devo and reinstall. repetes in days.

.....Help!!!!

rb

[Jomama46]

You can pull the PCU and run the toner drive motor in output mode to see if the bottle is actually turning. Maybe you have the wrong toner.
In any case, welcome to the MP4000/5000 club.

[copierfixer]

I will give it a try thanks for the tip

[slot]

had a batch of toner this month the base of the bottle is poorly mad and the bottle wont turn it just makes a clicking sound the tecs had tought it had just gone faint as per the overtoning so replaced dev etc then got called back to find duff bottle problem

[cobiray]

I know I'm always that guy, but the old cap from the bottle isn't stuck in the holder is it?

[aabarnes1]

Change the dev,drum,blade,mag unit as per the hugely unpopular and inconcise rtb/tech bulletin or just read the threads and posts in elation to your difficulty! You're no longer an mp 4/5k virgin!!!!!!

[FRIDGEMAGNET]

Take the cover that sits above the toner bottle and watch it as it adds toner, if it does not turn it is the bottle - we had a whole batch of bottles that were faulty - the mouldings in the bottom of the bottle are not made correctly.

[dckm]

May want to check the drum ground to. I have had bad bearings on brand new machines. First it overtones, the stains the mag roller, and then goes lite. Check for less than 50 ohms from fly wheel to frame. If it is ok, turn the flywheel and recheck it. Often times the balls in the race make the resistance change as it turns. I had a guy clean the bearing, but I always replace them.

[tcs04]

I have noted this problem on about 40% of MP4000 / 5000 machines (so far) as as a result my company requested a number of kits From Ricoh. They initially refused our requests on the grounds that the problems were not severe enough to require modified units (!). Suffice to say, I now have a number of modified Dev Units ready to fit.

I spoke to a Ricoh Helpdesk Engineer (One of the good ones, known him for years and trust what he says) face to face on Thursday and this is the latest as I recall.

This is the same problem, to a much greater degree, that we have all experienced in the past on AF1035, AF2065, AF3045, MP4500 and now on MP4000 / 5000.

The problem has become worse as the amount of wax in the toner has increased through the model series with the objective of reducing adhesion to fuser rollers and lowering energy consumption (Lower fuser temp).

We (in the UK) can, if we shout loud enough, obtain modified Dev Units and a bag of Dev (NOT modified) from RUK. Earlier inquiries may have received complete PCDU kits.

The Dev units suppied have a similar doctor gap and a new coating (Unspecified) on the mag roller.

THIS IS NOT THE "FINAL" FIX. However "Trusted (ex Ricoh) engineers have fitted the new units and report that they work"....... (until the coating wears off ????)

Ricoh are expecting to provide a "New" toner "in June" (containing less wax?) "which will be a final solution to the problem".

I assume (Didn't ask) that there will be developer incorporating this new toner supplied at the same time.

I did make the point that this problem had become worse over time (agreed) and that if fuser cleaning efficiency had been an issue, it should have been cured by the fusing web now fitted (agreed).
.................

One problem we will all face is that unless we are supplied with both kits and toner for ALL mp4000 / 5000 machines, there will be a mix up of toner or dev at some point, especially at customers who have multiple units.

I suppose we should look on the bright side in so much as this will keep our work levels up during the credit crunch!

I have tried the Drum earth solution even to extent of adding an extra contact (similar to AF2090) with liitle change in the outcome.

I had also considered the AF2045 dev / toner approach and would be interested to know if if works, I suspect it will in the short term at least. Does the AF2045 toner bottle fit this machine??

copierfixer,
have you checked for the old "Hopper mylar falling off" problem? I'm not even sure if they are fitted to this model.

[copierfixer]

mylar

Yes I checked it but I like your idea of Devo and del from Af2045 I might give it a try
rb

[tomazp]

I had the same problems like you copierfixer. Then I talked to our Ricoh supplier and they advised me to change developer, toner motor and toner from Ricoh A2045. I changed all this parts on 3 machines I have at one customer and so far its working OK.

-developer 26 B0799640
-toner motor ax05 0239
-toner DT39blk