MX-5141N Startup issue

[Zimzim]

Hi!

I'm hoping to keep my MX-5141N going, which has just developed an issue. It wouldn't wake out of sleep mode, so I hard reset it by switching it off via the power switch inside the toner compartment. It powers up, fans come on, there is some 'clacking' within the unit as it runs through startup ops, the display doesn't show anything but has a dim backlight as though it would display something if it was sent some data. The power light is lit, but the fans remain on a relatively high speed. The printer webpage is not accessible.

Any advice for basic checks to run would be grateully received. I've read and followed the basics in the manual under the "THE OPERATION PANEL CANNOT BE USED" section.

[Craigcul]

Hi there this may sound silly but I have sometimes had the connections on the MFP unit that slides out pull that unit out and clean the plug then push back in and see if the machine starts up.

[Zimzim]

Hi there this may sound silly but I have sometimes had the connections on the MFP unit that slides out pull that unit out and clean the plug then push back in and see if the machine starts up.

Thanks for your post! Sorry, what's the MFP in this context? I couldn't find that part references in the online manual. Googling didn't really help either.

[Craigcul]

Hi there the MFP is the board with the network port on it you will see just below that is a small plastic part that slides out undwr that is a screw that hold the cover on once you take that off the mfp has two scrws holding it in take thouse out then there are two Handles to pull the mfp out. This board also has you harddrive compact flash and sd card on it.

[Zimzim]

Hi there the MFP is the board with the network port on it you will see just below that is a small plastic part that slides out undwr that is a screw that hold the cover on once you take that off the mfp has two scrws holding it in take thouse out then there are two Handles to pull the mfp out. This board also has you harddrive compact flash and sd card on it.

Sorry to ask such a noobie question, but the machine is right up against the wall in a confined area, and to pull it away from the wall it's probably best I separate the finishing unti from it (MX-FN10). I've unlocked it and pulled it away from the machine, but can't figure out how to get it off the metal slider that is obviously meant to align the two machines. Feels like it should just lift off or something, I just don't want to break anything.

Can't seem to find operation/service PDFs for either the MX-5141N or MX-FN10

[ntbann]

You have to unscrew it from the machine or the finisher. You cant just separate them.

[Zimzim]

You have to unscrew it from the machine or the finisher. You cant just separate them.

Thanks! They're apart now. I thought perhaps you could just lift it on and off that rail, but now they're apart I can see what you mean.

[ihatefinishers13]

Unplug the HDD and see if it boots, if no change, I'd start with the SD card on that MFP board.

[Zimzim]

Unplug the HDD and see if it boots, if no change, I'd start with the SD card on that MFP board.

Didn't boot after disconnecting the data cable (SATA) from the HDD, looked like the same issue recurring.

I also tested the CR2032 battery which looks in good shape and was outputting 3.2v consistently when read on the board with my multimeter.

Is there any further info available on how to test the SD card?

[ihatefinishers13]

Didn't boot after disconnecting the data cable (SATA) from the HDD, looked like the same issue recurring.

I also tested the CR2032 battery which looks in good shape and was outputting 3.2v consistently when read on the board with my multimeter.

Is there any further info available on how to test the SD card?

Not really, just gotta replace it. If you have one from a different model, it might boot halfway, and that would help a little with troubleshooting. I've only tried that once from a 3140 series machine and half the settings screen didn't work, but at least it told me the SD card had failed.

[Zimzim]

Not really, just gotta replace it. If you have one from a different model, it might boot halfway, and that would help a little with troubleshooting. I've only tried that once from a 3140 series machine and half the settings screen didn't work, but at least it told me the SD card had failed.

Just coming back to this after a break! I guess I could test the SD card by plugging it into a PC and seeing if the card can be read. If not, can i get the software from somewhere and write to a new one?

[ihatefinishers13]

Just coming back to this after a break! I guess I could test the SD card by plugging it into a PC and seeing if the card can be read. If not, can i get the software from somewhere and write to a new one?

If I had a 5141 I'd rip it for you and send you the file. You MIGHT be able to put a blank SD card in, and it might do what it needs to boot, but I doubt it, as the SD card stores the typical boot sequence and everything on it, and I don't believe there's another backup within the machine. Could try though, and it might at least tell you something different?

[Steve Tech]

Usually if the SD card is bad the power light flashes and never goes constant so you can switch it on.

I've seen strange issues caused by the DC power supply.

If you know the IP address you could try web browsing it to see if there are any error codes that will give you a clue.

[Zimzim]

Usually if the SD card is bad the power light flashes and never goes constant so you can switch it on.

I've seen strange issues caused by the DC power supply.

If you know the IP address you could try web browsing it to see if there are any error codes that will give you a clue.

Switching the machine on the printer fans whir away, after about 2 minutes, they run a little faster.
There is no screen output
Power LED blinks once every couple of seconds.

[1] Tried booting after removing cables from HDD - no effect
[2] Tried reading SD card on Windows machine, windows says it needs formatting (which I didn't do!) but disk management shows partitions (see attachment)
MX-5141N-SD-4GB.jpg
2025-02-06 14_53_59-Window.jpg unnamed-1.jpg
[3] Tried booting with alternative blank SD card (Fat32) - no effect
[4] Removed and refitted all memory-like modules to ensure they were seated correctly and to reestablish electrical contact in case of dust/tarnish - no effect
[5] Was unable to establish network connection, I just don't think it's progressing that far.
[6] Tried to 'reset' by unplugging all mains for a few minutes - no effect

Is there any way to further test the SD card? Should I try and test the HDD on a windows machine?

Any further help gratefully recieved! I'd love to get this old girl back up and running!

[Steve Tech]

The only thing I can say is there are 4 diagnostic lights on the MFP board, they should all be lit when the boot program is loaded. Pretty sure there will be a trouble shooting flowchart of some type in the manual