Ricoh IBM infoPrint 1570 MFP Light Copies

[PASTech]

I have a Ricoh IBM InfoPrint 1570 MFP that continues to get increasingly light copies. The prints look fine and the scans look fine but when we try to copy they are faded and light.

I ran a few white strip calibrations and clean the portion of the optics that are available (Scanner is a enclosed box so I didn't open it).

Anyone had this type of problem before?

Thanks

[cobiray]

Are you copying in TEXT mode? Sometimes the the TEXT/PHOTO mode makes copies light due to increased number of gray scale steps.

If you are not a technician, stop reading here and call your service provider. They will be much more familiar with your piece of equipment than us anonymous loudmouths on the internet.

Are all the optics and white backing plates clean? I know you stated the prints and scans are fine, but increased DPI when scanning may be masking the issue.

Is the machine over it's PM cycle? First thing I usually ask our techs when they have a PCQ problem. Also check your SMC reports for whacked out voltages.

Has the firmware been updated to the most current version? That's what tech support will say when you call...

[PASTech]

Yes I am a technician, a new one, since last august, mostly service Sharp and real Ricoh though. This InfoPrint is a lexmark branded Ricoh which I have no experience with. When I said, "I have a..." I meant "I have a customser that has a..." but I should probably state that in a different way.

I tried the TEXT mode and customer was not pleased with the slight change it made

Optics and whites are clean ans the machine is not over it's PM cycle. Not sure about firmware but tech support actually only suggested the TEXT mode suggestion.

What is the SMC reports? and how do I get them?

Thanks for the help

[cobiray]

Please take no offense by my technician statement. There seem to be more and more end users thinking "how hard can it be" and looking to DIY. I'm assuming this is the same as a D052?

SMC reports are going to be in service mode SP5-990-xxx. If you print them out you can look through and check your drum and associated voltages in there. I"m assuming it's the same procedure to get into tech mode as all the other Ricoh family products. That being said, there is probably a setting that can be adjusted for copier scanning intensity if all else fails. SP4-901 are the adjustments for the front side and SP4-902 are for the 2nd side. I wouldn't jump directly to this setting first as it will likely change the scanning output. Also, it may be a different SP altogether, so consult your manual before you change anything.

[PASTech]

no offence taken...I know I am a bit of a NOOB so I have asked some dumb questions.

Here is a link to a brief picture and description of the MFP...it is not anything like the D052 from my experience.
IBM Infoprint 1570 MFP

The following is the only "service modes" I can find in the manual

Diagnostics Menu
1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press and hold the 3 and 6
buttons simultaneously for
about 10 seconds.
3. Turn on the printer.
4. Release the buttons after 10
seconds.

Configuration Menu
1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press and hold the 2 and 6
buttons simultaneously for
about 10 seconds.
3. Turn on the printer.
4. Release the buttons after 10
seconds.

But Alas, the customer has simply decided, without me even suggesting as the machine is only 2-3 years old, to check with their head office in Toronto and will probably just get a new one.

Thanks again for the help this is why I like CopyTechNet. Techs actually communicate here and can help each other, especially as a new tech it is very helpful for those places we can get stuck.