My Xerox 3030 suddenly produces VERY light/faint copies - why?

[Guest]

Hello,

About a month ago, in the middle of one copy, my 3030 started producing extremely and uniformly faint/light copies (barely legible). The "adjusting copy quality" phase takes a good three or four minutes before copying. The screen has flashed "replace dry ink cartridge" a couple of times; I have replaced the toner cartridge but to no avail. The copies are accurate - just barely legible in their lightness. I transported the copier in my truck on it's back side this past spring, but it worked fine until about a month ago.

Does it sound like a developer change is needed?

I bought the machine used and have no knowledge of service. Nor do I have a manual of any kind. I have limited knowledge, so any help would be much appreciated. I have searched the forum and understand more than I did before, but not enough to feel confident about a diagnoses. I would like to attempt a fix myself because I cannot afford a tech to come in.

Thanks,

-The Lowly Copier

[karanoberai21]

Re: My Xerox 3030 suddenly produces VERY light/faint copies - why?

im facing the same problem with my xerox 3050.
have u done with your problem, if yes

please tell me solution

[irtek]

Re: My Xerox 3030 suddenly produces VERY light/faint copies - why?

Had the same thing a month ago on a 3050. Replace the toner sensor and run calibration to fix.

[Polo-022]

Re: My Xerox 3030 suddenly produces VERY light/faint copies - why?

I think that you have an exposure sensor problem.
This sensor is mounted in the middle of a reflector facing towards exposure lamp.
Look very very carefully if it is mounted properly and clean it from obstructions.
Maybe it will be nessecary to replace it!
Check also the lens and seals preventing direct light to the drum....

[CopierTechofOmens]

Re: My Xerox 3030 suddenly produces VERY light/faint copies - why?

I've seen these after someone transported them. Fiber optic lens has toner on the bottom. I would check the developer drive coupler isn't disengaged. Clean the coros.

If you are mechanically inclined and consider yourself highly careful get a manual and read through the whole thing. Xerox manuals are pretty good with step by step instructions.

[Lowlycopier]

Re: My Xerox 3030 suddenly produces VERY light/faint copies - why?

Thank you all for your recommendations - very well thought out! I will carefully attempt all of your suggestions. Are there any ideas on where to get my hands on a 3030 manual?

Thanks again! I will enjoy working through this and hopefully I can locate a manual to help me along the way.

[technogeek2009]

Re: My Xerox 3030 suddenly produces VERY light/faint copies - why?

Another item to check is whether the illumination control is working. Go into diagnostics, and adjust 09-21-3 to 1, then run a test print. If the prints are not considerably darker, you may have a bad illumination ballast board. In many cases, when this board fails, it causes the illumination level to go to maximum with no range of adjustment through diagnostics.