1224c 3rd+ Copy Color Smears

[Shadow1]

I have a 1224c with a strange problem... go figure! In B/W mode everything works just fine. In color mode, the first 2 copies look good, everything after that smears like the ITB wasn't cleaning properly (new pcu) or the quencing lamps were out (working fine)

The recommended fix is to push it off of a tall building, but we're not able to do that - customer thinks it would be an insult to the sidewalk. He also noted the possibility of a fissure opening up so the blasted thing could drop straight to hell, and doesn't know how to file that on his insurance...

The sample below is an internal test print, checkerboard pattern. As I said, the PCU and developers are new. Fuser is in good shape. Cleaning clutches, bushings, and drive are new/checked & cleaned.

Ideas?

[aabarnes1]

ITB cleaning unit!!!

[aabarnes1]

Check that the auger is turning,if not- for quickfix clean the bushings and vac the whole unit but replace soon

[aabarnes1]

Also check the chute into wtb isn't blocked

[tcs04]

One of two things,

aabarnes is quite correct, this can be caused by the cleaning auger on the transfer cleaning unit. If you can't turn the black double gear on the transfer cleanong drive this is the problem. There is a white (?)plastic bushing on one end of the auger which can get clogged with toner. This can be twisted off with pliers and the shaft cleaned.

This problem would probably cause SC520 (Fuser drive motor error)

If the transfer gear / unit does turn the problem will be the "Transport Bracket" (gearbox) at the rear of the machine. This has been modifed and if the machine is an early model is quite likely to have tight / weak spring clutches. One indication would be difficulty in removing the PCU due to the transfer cleaning lift cam not lifting the actuator past the guide rail. if the PCU sticks, remove the internal paper recieving tray and you will see the actuator stuck behind the rail. When the PCU is out you will see the point of the lift cam is not vertical.

This normally causes streaks in colour (color) mode for the first 2-3 copies

Transport Bracket P/N B051 4807

Word of warning! To replace this you will need to remove the I O Board... DO NOT cross connect the 2 fans above and below the board. We had a tech do this and it went something like BANG... SMELL... DEAD. The pin connectionns on the fans are not the same but the leads will reach!

[BIGBOY]

Try the LD beam pitch, bictch

[aabarnes1]

How are u getting on with ur smears?

[Shadow1]

I talked myself into working on this POS as a second set of eyeballs for annother tech who knows a lot more about them than I do. The old PCU had been in the machine more than 5 minutes, so it could very well have been worn out - the first thing he did was put a new unit in. Developers are also new.

Second thing that came to mind was the cleaning drive, but he already had that apart, cleaned and running good. We visually verified operation.

Waste toner is not backed up on either bottle.

We did have a bias connection problem with the PTR causing a different quality issue, but that has been fixed.

Stopping a copy shows the smears on the image loop as well as the ITB.

Charge is clean.

Meters are 250k B/W and just over 100k Color (pages not developments)

I have annother PCU on order, but I'm not sure that is the problem since this is already a new unit and doing the same thing, and both PCU's worked just fine all day long running B/W.

Any more ideas. I'm really hoping I go back (the other tech is on vacation this week) and find something really simple that we both missed - I don't mind looking stupid as long as it gets the machine fixed.

[bier trinker]

is there not a tech pub about the drive unit helping to cause this? and you do have the little clip in place on the cleaning cam, right?

[stephend]

I have a 1224c with a strange problem... go figure! In B/W mode everything works just fine. In color mode, the first 2 copies look good, everything after that smears like the ITB wasn't cleaning properly (new pcu) or the quencing lamps were out (working fine)

The recommended fix is to push it off of a tall building, but we're not able to do that - customer thinks it would be an insult to the sidewalk. He also noted the possibility of a fissure opening up so the blasted thing could drop straight to hell, and doesn't know how to file that on his insurance...

The sample below is an internal test print, checkerboard pattern. As I said, the PCU and developers are new. Fuser is in good shape. Cleaning clutches, bushings, and drive are new/checked & cleaned.

Ideas?

[stephend]

Thanks for reading the bulletin

[tcs04]

is there not a tech pub about the drive unit helping to cause this? and you do have the little clip in place on the cleaning cam, right?

All relates to the drive unit (Gearbox) as I said. We've changed loads of these for similar problems. Doing a visual check on the clutches won't confirm correct operation.

The UK RTB mentions noise but we have found the main result of drive problems is dragging / poor cleaning on colour copies. The new units have Roller bearings rather than Bronze bushes. Also helps with paper feed / reg jams

If the waste toner has been backing up you can even get toner spillage in the bushing behind the lift cam causing poor lift.

As a final check, perform a maintenance cleaning cycle then take a white copy in full colour mode. You should see the ID patches. on the white copy. These will disappear after a few copies.

[Shadow1]

Thanks everybody - I'll check this stuff out if I can ever get back out there. Right now the tech who got me into this mess is on vacation and annother guy I backup is out sick... I got Job Security this week.

[Ollie1981]

Stopping a copy shows the smears on the image loop as well as the ITB.

If you're getting smears on the OPC belt as well as the ITB, then two possibilities spring to mind.

I've had a couple where a scrap of paper has managed to find it's way into the cleaning units, but as this is a new PCU scrap that suggestion.

I've also had a couple of problems like this with the dev clutches not camming the units in/out in enough to be far enough away from the OPC belt when it develops the next colour. I've had this by far and away most commonly with the Black clutch (as it's used the most), but as all four clutches are identical (AX21-0088) I'm not ruling it out being on another colour, try swapping them around and see what happens (Pretty easy to get to once you've swung the controller box out of the way).

The sympton does sound most like faulty half turn clutches on the transport bracket, but if you've already tackled that....