[Error Code] Ricoh AP3800c

[Guest]

I am appealing to this forum as a last resort. We have a Rioch AP3800c at our office that recently had one of the heating elements fail in the fuser. I replaced the part but could not get rid of the SC555 error. I went into SP mode and attempted to clear the error but with out realizing the ramifications I did a memory clear and now have a SC999 error. From the research I have done after the fact I have discovered that it was a bad thing to do. From looking around on the web, specifically this forum, and going through the menu in SP mode I have found what I believe to be the problem. The destination code is set to zero. I found a reference to the destination in the service manual but it not indicate how to change it. We had a Ricoh service tech here and he was unable to figure out how to change the destination either, even after spending 10 or 15 minutes in his service vehicle looking at manuals. I don't think he called the tech support line. I have seen on this forum that this problem has come up before and that the answer seems to be out there. It think I need to get into Factory Mode to change the destination. I mentioned this to the tech that was here but that didn't seem to help him. If possible could someone send me the procedure to access the area of the programing to correct this problem? As it stands we have a large boat anchor and I would really like to get the machine up and running again especially as I just spent $70 on the heating element for the fuser.

[Eric1968]

Doing a memory clear without backing up the NVRAM-settings is one of the most disastrous things to do on a color machine. The Destination Code is not the only setting that has been reset. You've put all settings back to default. That means that all settings about drums/developers/toner/laser etc. are back at default. If you have the Non-default List, you can try to put in all the non-default settings. That is IF you're lucky. You can try 0, 1, 2, or 3 to set the destination code (I don't recall the exact settings for each region). If you can get rid of the SC999 you will be facing a lot of other SC-codes, that's for sure.

The SC555 is an error in the Fusing Unit. You can reset this error using SP5-810.

Free advise : Never mess with Service Modes if you don't know what you're doing!

[TonerMunkeh]

You'll be lucky to get this machine going again. This model is supposed to have a complete fuser, as opposed to parts replaced in it. Is the birth certificate still in the front cover? It'll be a white sheet of A4/letter size paper with a load of default SP mode values on. They all need re-inputting back into the machine to get it somewhere near where it needs to be.

[soundmanocc]

I did find the "Birth Certificate" for the machine, so I should be able to reset all of the non-default settings in SP Mode. I just need to get into the Factory settings to set a destination code.

[jonhiker]

You will have to contact the Ricoh dealer and request a regional or factory rep. they are the only ones that can reset a destination code.

From the service manual:

4. Check if the correct destination codeis set (SP5-808-1). North America = 2.
If it is not, please contact TechnicalSupport. A Regional Rep must reprogram the destination code.

[zed255]

Most service reps won't know about 'Factory SP' mode, this is one of the functions of the Regional Managers (at least in my neck of the woods). It's actually a security measure to prevent the average joe from jacking with things like a serial number or other things that are to be left alone.

[soundmanocc]

We are a non-profit ministry and have owned this machine for many years. Donations are down and I am trying to keep it going for as long as possible without spending a lot of money on it. We have quite a few supplies for it. Cost savings is why I installed a new heating element in the fuser instead of replacing the whole part. I realize that the procedure for accessing Factory SP mode could be use to less than ethical ends, but if anyone knows the procedure and could PM me with it, it won't leave my office.

[Eric1968]

I don't know the procedure to access the factory mode on the AP3800C, but even if you could get rid of the SC999 and the SC555 the next things you will encounter are SC's related to color density, color registration, laser power etc. I'm 99% sure that you'll never get this thing to give a decent print.

[soundmanocc]

The SC555 is taken care of and I'll take what ever time is needed to get the settings entered back in and then fine tuned. I just need to track down the procedure to clear the SC999 so that I can get at the rest of the settings. It won't do anything with that error showing. Thanks for you time.

[TonerMunkeh]

You're going to have to get a tech in to do this dude, there's no other way of doing it.

[soundmanocc]

I finally got someone on another forum that knew what buttons to hold down while turning on the machine. I got into Factory Service Mode set the country to USA then went through SP mode set all of the non-default settings. Set the registration and tweeked the magenta and cyan settings. I now have a working AP3800c again. It only took 3 months of waiting to find the information I needed. Thanks for everyone who responded to my thread.

[JustManuals]

I finally got someone on another forum that knew what buttons to hold down while turning on the machine. I got into Factory Service Mode set the country to USA then went through SP mode set all of the non-default settings. Set the registration and tweeked the magenta and cyan settings. I now have a working AP3800c again. It only took 3 months of waiting to find the information I needed. Thanks for everyone who responded to my thread.

If you send me an email, I'll send you a free copy of the Parts & Service manual. Always willing to help out a non-profit.

Paul@justmanuals.com

[soundmanocc]

Thank you for the offer, but I already tracked the parts manual down. I wanted it in hand before I took the fuser apart to replace the heating element.

[CT Copier Repair]

We understand that times are hard and money is tight
but this is why i suggest calling a tech

its going to cost you alot more to get it to work
as for factory mode no way no how
you need a regional tech

See what trying to save costs
if you don't know then don't do
we do this for a living
I don't rape customers i understand times are hard
but the knowledge also puts food in my kids bellies
while admirable it was a costly foolish mistake

man cannot worship god and mammon

[soundmanocc]

We understand that times are hard and money is tight
but this is why i suggest calling a tech

its going to cost you alot more to get it to work
as for factory mode no way no how
you need a regional tech

See what trying to save costs
if you don't know then don't do
we do this for a living
I don't rape customers i understand times are hard
but the knowledge also puts food in my kids bellies
while admirable it was a costly foolish mistake

man cannot worship god and mammon

I must have had a regional tech reply to my post on the other forum because what he told me worked, it got me into Factory Service Mode and I set the country to USA. I then went into SP mode and set all of the non-default settings and with in about an hour the machine was up and running again. A few other tweeks to the density of the magenta and cyan and to the maximum toner lever and I get as good a print as before. The information he provided didn't really cost a technician a job. This printer was going to be fixed in-house or given away for parts. I have difficulty understanding the big secret about which two buttons to hold down to access a menu on a machine that we don't rent or have a lease on and don't have a service contract on. It's our printer. All of the manuals are available online and contain virtually everything about the machine I need to know the machine to repair it except how to set the county code. Really the way they designed the firmware is the problem. The only piece of information in the Factory Service mode that was lost was the country setting. Why they didn't include that in the regular service mode is beyond me. I really don't understand your reference to Matt 6:24. I don't see how trying to use the money God has supplied to the best of our ability is putting the money above God. It is simply good stewardship.