ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

[sharpmind]

The client has two machines model Aficio 3235C and are showing the same ADD TONER (black only) problem. I cleaned the toner hopper and toner pipe but still showing add toner. The toner for both machines are new. Do you have any idea how to solve the problem aside from replacing the toner pump?Replacing the toner pump is a lengthy procedure so I just want to know maybe you have any other solution. Thanks!

[sandmanmac]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

The client has two machines model Aficio 3235C and are showing the same ADD TONER (black only) problem. I cleaned the toner hopper and toner pipe but still showing add toner. The toner for both machines are new. Do you have any idea how to solve the problem aside from replacing the toner pump?Replacing the toner pump is a lengthy procedure so I just want to know maybe you have any other solution. Thanks!

Hmmm...if you have a defective toner pump, there is no alternative to changing the toner pump.
However, have you checked the dev unit? defective augers cause this quite often too.
If toner is built up at the toner entrance of the dev unit, chances are the unit is not loading the toner

[Iowatech]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Changing the toner pump is probably the fix you need. I never found changing the toner pumps that difficult, so I probably am not going to be a lot of help here.
Still, that machine is pretty old, you might check the spring loaded assembly in the toner hopper that the toner bottle mates to and see if it is in good shape. I had that issue cause something like this once. But that was a long time ago.

[sharpmind]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Changing the toner pump is probably the fix you need. I never found changing the toner pumps that difficult, so I probably am not going to be a lot of help here.
Still, that machine is pretty old, you might check the spring loaded assembly in the toner hopper that the toner bottle mates to and see if it is in good shape. I had that issue cause something like this once. But that was a long time ago.

Thanks! I have no choice but to change the toner pump. It is my first time to change it that is why I find it difficult. I have to remove everything inside the machine just to replace the toner pump.

[slimslob]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Considering the age of this model, there is a possibility that the front air pump might have a ruptured diaphragm. This could the toner to not flow freely through the supply tube. If the machines a=have been setting for any length of time, the supply tube could be clogged.

[sharpmind]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Considering the age of this model, there is a possibility that the front air pump might have a ruptured diaphragm. This could the toner to not flow freely through the supply tube. If the machines a=have been setting for any length of time, the supply tube could be clogged.

Today, we cleaned the tube and replaced the toner pump but still same problem. Add toner manually to the development unit but still same problem. Replaced the drum unit and it worked for 50 copies. The first 30 copies were good and the remaining copies became black copy. After 50 copies, add toner showed again. When we checked the image transfer unit, it was totally black even the drum unit.

We are going to check the toner and development unit next time.

[Zaxxon]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

We are going to check the toner and development unit next time.

Good idea.

I think replacing toner pumps on this model is a pain in the biiip. Especially the yellow pump, one of these "BUT WHY"!!!!!!!!!! procedures...

[CrapAimer]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Had more bother with the units going down than the pumps

[Zaxxon]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Had more bother with the units going down than the pumps

Correct, the best result on this model is to replace all the units in one shot, then they will do their time.
I guess that a bad pcu or dev unit will damage the new...

[duane@pbbsinc.com]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Correct, the best result on this model is to replace all the units in one shot, then they will do their time.
I guess that a bad pcu or dev unit will damage the new...

I agree with all the posts the toner pump is a bear and the developer units seem to fail more when using after market toner.
I have had luck with those after changing the pump and drum and developer units with no evail I would change out the ID sensor array behind the fuser unit and to the left of the image transfer belt. A bad id sensor reading can cause an add toner condition and black copies.
I did have one machine needing a bcu board that was toner related but this is rare.

You can check the id sensor readings front,center,and back with service mode they should all be at or around 4v.
The developer clutches can also go bad not turning the units or leaving engaged causing allot of issues with copy quality and developer spitting out of units.

[sharpmind]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

I agree with all the posts the toner pump is a bear and the developer units seem to fail more when using after market toner.
I have had luck with those after changing the pump and drum and developer units with no evail I would change out the ID sensor array behind the fuser unit and to the left of the image transfer belt. A bad id sensor reading can cause an add toner condition and black copies.
I did have one machine needing a bcu board that was toner related but this is rare.

You can check the id sensor readings front,center,and back with service mode they should all be at or around 4v.
The developer clutches can also go bad not turning the units or leaving engaged causing allot of issues with copy quality and developer spitting out of units.

I am just wondering why the client's two machines of same model having the same error in a span of one month. The reading of the machine is around 40thou copies.

[duane@pbbsinc.com]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

I am just wondering why the client's two machines of same model having the same error in a span of one month. The reading of the machine is around 40thou copies.

Are they both using aftermarket toner?
A good test for that is to pull developer unit and tap on top of unit if toner puffs allot. The unit is over toned or using contaminated aftermarket toner cause it is cheaper to buy then oem.
Just trying to help with trouble shooting those machines always have toner pump and clutch issues that cause add toner.
I was assuming drums and dv units were replaced already. I do realize toner pumps are not the easiest on these models and reassembly is not always accurate.
They always seem to fix the toner add issue though.

Another tip would be to check and change toner add method in service mode.
Also when you do forced toner add does unit get allot darker with only a few tries?

[CableGuy]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Clean the toner flow sensor. I've replaced pumps and had the fault continue, only to find the toner flow sensor dirty....

[sharpmind]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Clean the toner flow sensor. I've replaced pumps and had the fault continue, only to find the toner flow sensor dirty....

Is the toner flow sensor located below the toner hopper where two pipes are connected? I cleaned that sensor already. Until now, I have not checked the toner and the development unit as I am still busy in the field. The client's machine is in our office now for further troubleshooting.

[CableGuy]

Re: ADD TONER (AFICIO 3235C)

Is the toner flow sensor located below the toner hopper where two pipes are connected? I cleaned that sensor already. Until now, I have not checked the toner and the development unit as I am still busy in the field. The client's machine is in our office now for further troubleshooting.

Yes that's it, swap it with one you know is working to be sure