Bad copies and prints

[Guest]

I have a Workcentre 4118, just changed both the toner and drum cartridges. Got a vertical line on every copy through
the auto feeder (not a copy from the plate) and on every printed document. Can anyone help.

Thanks, Jim

[Exok]

Re: Bad copies and prints

First question is, did you have a line on "prints" (not copies) before you changed the drum cartridge? No? could be a defective cartridge. Yes? probably not the cartridge.

Next, when you make copies through the document feeder, does the line you get stop just before the edges of the paper and not go all the way to the edge? Yes? This line is being caused by some mark (ink, correction fluid, glue or other) on the "scan glass" (not the large copy glass but the thin strip of glass to the left of the large copy glass). Even the smallest spec of this glass will show as a line when making copies through the document feeder because the scanner does not move. It stays put and the document passes over it so the scanner is looking through the same piece of glass for the whole scan. That's why a small spec on this glass will look like a line on copies. If you do not get this line when you manually place the original on the large copy glass, this is also proof you have something on the small scan glass. You will probably need something more than a dry cloth to clean it. If it is ink you can try a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a rag to remove the ink then go over it with some glass cleaner.

The part that doesn't make sense to me yet is that you say you do not get a line when you make a copy off the copy glass but you do when you print to the machine. I'd say check the document you are printing, if it was scanned by the same machine, the dirty scan glass would be the cause (you should see the line on your computer when you view the document before printing). Try to print an internal report from the machine's control panel. That is a better test of the print engine as it eliminates your PC and network and you are printing a known clean document.

[jfmcd]

Re: Bad copies and prints

Exoc:

Thanks for your prompt reply, I think you're on to something.

(1) No, I don't think so, the lines apeared occasionally but I hadn't made the distinction among printing, copying,doc
feeder and copy glass.

(2) Yes it does, it's 2 1/2" from the left edge and starts about 1/8" from the top and ends the same from the bottom and is not evident
on copies from the copy glass. I was mistaken about the printer apparently, I checked as best I could and no lines on printed docs and
none are showing up now.

I've tried cleaning the (small) scan glass twice this morning, once without glass cleaner and once with cleaner and a soft cloth, no help.

Is there another step we can try?

Thanks again,

Jim

[Exok]

Re: Bad copies and prints

Its something on that thin scan glass that is causing your line for sure. Take a flashlight and shine it on the glass on an angle. This should help you spot whatever it is on the glass that is causing your line. Its rare but not unheard of to get something under the glass causing your line (maybe dust or hair). Again, if you have ink on the glass, regular glass cleaner will not remove it. You'll need something stronger. You can try rubbing alcohol, paint thinner or even WD40. Just put a little on a soft rag and wipe the glass from end to end. I hope its not under the glass because that can be a pain to get to.

[jfmcd]

Re: Bad copies and prints

10/02/14

Exok:

With your help I think I finally got it. Yesterday I found a tiny white line on the glassin just the right place. Went after it
with vigor and nail polish remover and eventually couldn't see any trace, proceeded to run a copy and it came out clean
so I ran more and the next was clean but thereafter the lines on the copies was back not squite as dark but very noticable.
This morning, before asking for more help, I tried another cleaning with glass cleaner and the copies are all running clean.

Thank you again for your excellent help I hope some day to help someone.

Jim