HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

[Kiran Otter]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

Here's a question. If I had a formatter from another printer, say a T795, and I installed that into the Z5400, would I do any damage to the printer or the formatter/HD of the 795? I know it probably won't boot as it should but would it be a way to tell if the PSU is okay? If I get a normal LED light pattern then I might be able to narrow it down to the formatter being the problem. Just don't want to destroy the T795 formatter/HD in the process.

I would not try this. I'd be surprised if the formatter even fits in a different printer. I've never tried such a thing.

If you replaced the HD and are still not getting it to boot, then I would replace the PSU next, then the emod. Or get them both together from LPS.

Kiran

[D Hook]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

I have a new (used) PCA interconnect board that I rec'd from LPS today and will install tomorrow. If that doesn't make a difference, I have a spare PSU here that I'll try next.

[D Hook]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

I got the PCA interconnect board from LPS yesterday and installed it and it made no difference. So I switched out the power supply with a known good one and still no change. So I guess the next thing to try is to buy the formatter/HD from LPS and try that. Only one other possibility (if that doesn't work) is the main board mounted below the power supply assembly. Can't think of what else could be the problem.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

I would replace the EMOD first (that PCA below the PSU.) Always try the least expensive parts first. I've been down this same road with these printers; it's a matter of trial and error and very frustrating. Especially when the printer is an hour or two away.

Kiran

[D Hook]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

I would replace the EMOD first (that PCA below the PSU.) Always try the least expensive parts first. I've been down this same road with these printers; it's a matter of trial and error and very frustrating. Especially when the printer is an hour or two away.

Kiran

That's always been my mantra too. I looked on the HP Parts Surfer website and couldn't find any of the parts; formatter, HDD or EMOD. So went with the formatter/HD that LPS has in stock. Tim also has the EMOD so that will be next if this doesn't solve the problem. In this case, the frustrating part is the long shipping time. The parts are returnable if they don't work so I'll try this and if it doesn't solve it, order the EMOD. If it turns out to be the EMOD, I'll try the original formatter/HD and see if it's good or not. If the original formatter/HD is good, I can return the one to LPS. My frustration is the long shipping time, even with priority mail.

Thanks for your input. Very helpful.

[D Hook]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

New formatter and HD solved it. So I'm going to swap in the original PCA interconnect board and make sure that works ok.

Now that I have the display back I can see what else needs to be done. So far, just one new printhead and a problem with the roll #1 paper sensor. Says to unload the roll but there no roll present so need to do some fishing in there for maybe remnants or check the sensor. Could be stuck. Loads fine from roll #2.

[D Hook]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

Fixed the OOP sensor so that's working now.


But when loading paper, I get an error message saying "Reached end of roll". This comes in the loading process. Paper is pulled into printer, carriage moves from right to left, parks, then throws that message. Then hit okay and it runs out about 3' of paper, then stops. Then gives instructions on how to unload the paper. Raise lever, remove paper (just reroll it back onto the roll) then lower level. Then returns to home screen with message saying "ready for paper".

I've run the line sensor calibration and it comes out fine. All four colors of light come on, one at a time, then passes the test.

I've run the tests on all the other sensor except the carriage since it calls for paper to be loaded and not able to do that.

I've never seen this error message on any printer I've worked on and not sure what sensor is not working or not reading correctly.

Any info would be appreciated.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

This printer and many of its cousins have sensors in the roll supports that tell the printer if the roll is turning. The printer expects the roll to turn when it's feeding the paper, and if it doesn't it thinks it has reached the end of the roll. While it's possible you have a bad sensor, it's more likely that the roll is able to turn independent of the spindle. If you can twist the spindle without turning the roll, this is likely your problem. You can put some tape around the spindle end to make it thicker inside the roll to help prevent the two from turning independently.

I've also come across a user who lost the blue collet from the spindle and ordered replacements from Ebay, but got the wrong ones and they didn't grip the roll or spindle enough, allowing the roll to turn without turning the spindle, and it would randomly cause the printer to think it had reached the end of the roll. As a stop-gap solution we put a wrap of electrical tape around the spindle and one around the collet and it made the roll fit tightly on the spindle and solved the problem until they got an entire new spindle assembly.

The black collet (vs the blue one that you slide on and off) is the one that really matters. It needs to grip the inside of the roll tightly to prevent this situation.

Kiran

[D Hook]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

I'll check that first thing in the morning. Thanks!

When I load a single sheet I get an error saying "Can no longer detect paper" though it's clearly on the platen where the carriage can see it.

Anyway, I'll take a video of it tomorrow and try to post that up. Might make it a little more clear.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

What you describe sounds like the carriage can't detect the edge or presence of the paper, which is the job of the line sensor. Fortunately HP still sells them. E1L21-67021

If the printer was particularly dirty, you might be able to just clean the sensor, but in my experience, if it's bad it just needs to be replaced. Hopefully it's not a bad carriage PCA. You can pull the sensor out from the left side of the carriage pretty easily in order to access it and inspect the actual lens to see if it's covered with ink or something. You can also look and watch for the red dot from the sensor when loading paper to see if it's even lighting up.

There is a carriage test but it requires loading roll media so you'll have to resolve the end of roll condition first.

Kiran

[D Hook]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

Yes, I suspected the same thing. I took off the sensor and wiped the lense off. It was pretty clean already. No change. I did the line sensor test by manually loading paper onto the platen so the line sensor could see it. Watched as the test went on and saw all four colors light up on the sensor but my experience has been that, even though they light up, doesn't mean it's working ok. Had that problem with a Z6200. So I might just replace it to be sure. I agree that the sensor doesn't seem to see the paper's edge. I've tried 20# bond, velum and heavy heavy bond paper and all three present the same problem so it seems to rule out paper as a problem. I'm going to try some glossy photo paper today, just to see what happens. There's few more diagnostic tests I can do so we'll see what happens. This one is a real head scratcher.

[D Hook]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

Ok, this one really had me stumped but I guess I finally figured it out. Sometimes it's the simplest answer.

The out-of-paper sensor needed rewiring which worked out fine. Sensor was responding when LOADING paper. But the sensor got deactivated after the paper loaded and the carriage started looking for the edges. It thought it was out of paper so just booted the loading process.

So I took the original sensor out and replaced it with a flag style sensor like this one: (See below).

The one that was in there was very flat and didn't stand up far enough to stay in contact with the paper so the slightest release of tension on the paper would deactivate the sensor and give the error about having reached the end of the roll. (If it would've said "Out Of Paper" it may have been an easier troubleshooting process!) This flag type sensor that's pictured was used in a lot of printers including the Z2100, Z3200, Z5200 and a host of the T series printers, according to what I've been able to find. The only printer that used the other type sensor was the Z5400. I happened to find this sensor in my box of parts from the T790 I parted out.

I'll try to get a picture of the one I took out.

So now I can do some other diagnostics. I've done some and it seems to be in pretty good condition but needs a good cleaning and tune up.

Thanks to all that gave advice.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

Huh, good to know! I've not encountered that particular condition. I look forward to seeing a picture of the sensor.

Kiran

[D Hook]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

This is the switch I pulled out.

[Kiran Otter]

Re: HP DESIGNJET Z5400 error 8:11

Something does not look right with that sensor. No wonder it was the problem.

Kiran