T2300 scanner CIS elements flashing

[D Hook]

Getting an error 09.4:10 (not listed in the service manual so it might be 09.04:10) saying scanner not available. (I've googled both error codes and always points to the CIS elements.) When I open the cover, all CIS elements are blinking red. When I first boot up the machine, I can see a blue hue under the cover. I never get the three colors flashing as the service manual says it should. So maybe one of the CIS elements is going out but how do I figure out which one? This started after transporting the printer so might have loosened up something, though we were very careful loading/unloading. Should I remove the glass and try reseating each element.? Any other places to look for loose connections? Never worked on one of these before so would appreciate any suggestions.

Anyone run into something like this before?

[blackcat4866]

Could it be a 09:01, 09.1:10, or 09.10:10? Those codes I've seen occasionally. It's a scanner drive error. When the scanner tests the scanner drive it doesn't get any clock pulses. I've seen the set screw backed out of the DF exit shaft or the pulse wheel, and I've seen belts off. Just powering the machine OFF/ON will clear the code until it tries to test the scanner again. These photos came from a 2530, but same effect:

[D Hook]

Stupidly, I forgot to mention that after getting it home, the first thing I did was update the firmware to the latest on the HP website.. After that, I didn't get the "scanner is unavailable" error anymore and was able to do a test scan and it fed paper okay but of course it hasn't been calibrated for years so it looked pretty bad. I have a calibration sheet coming and in the mean time, I replaced printheads and got the printer part working okay. That was when the scanner started doing this error again. I've updated the firmware again, just to be sure I didn't have a corrupted file or something but am still getting the error. So I think the belt might be okay but will pull the cover off and check it.

Any idea on the flashing red lights when opening the scanner cover? I'm still suspecting a loose component somewhere so will look into that possibility also.

I'm wondering, since I have to replace the hard drive in order to replace the touch screen, maybe that will get rid of it. I've cleared the EEROM once already. I have also done a reset on the hard drive back to factory condition. Before clearing the EEROM, I printed out all the service reports.

Thanks for the input!

[Kiran Otter]

I seem to remember the CIS elements do normally flash like you're describing. I don't think that's an indication of a problem. But the error seems to suggest a failing CIS element C; I believe they're labeled left to right, A through E. Could swap C with its neighbor and see if the error code changes.

Kiran

[D Hook]

This morning, I was curious about the blue lights I can see under the scanner cover. So I shut down the machine, opened up the scanner cover and rebooted the printer. Three of the five CIS lights came on blue but one was out completely and another was flickering. I watched as it continued to boot up and at some point it flashed to what was supposed to be green but the two troubled lights (B and D) didn't give off the same color (missing the blue I suppose). Then after a short while, all 5 turned to red and started flashing.

So I swapped the B and D with C and E and the problem moved with the swap, indicating it could be the elements that are failing and, in one case, failed completly. But it doesn't explain why it let me scan at some earlier point. The blue lights had to be working then or it wouldn't have let the scanner function, I would think. I guess it could've been on the way out and I just got lucky that one time. It might help to open up the scanner and check for any loose connections inside I guess before laying out money for new lights.

Just to clarify, it's only the blue color that's effected. Red and green are okay on all 5 CIS modules.

Any opinions or suggestions?

[Kiran Otter]

I've never witnessed the various colors other than red when the cover is open, but it sounds like you found the culprit(s). Definitely reseat every connector you can find.

Kiran

[D Hook]

Ordered a new (used) CIS element. Should be here by end of week. Just trying one to replace the one that doesn't light at all. The other is intermittent and may or may not need replacing. We'll see.

[D Hook]

Put in the new element and it works great. But still getting the same error message. All 5 elements come on blue but one looks kind of weak. Just not sure where to go from here. Scanner still "unavailable" so can't do any calibration because it won't take the calibration sheet. Good news is the printer works great. Having a little trouble getting it to connect with an ethernet connection though but not sure that's the printer or my computer.

[Kiran Otter]

It works great, but you can't scan anything? I'm confused. And if you swap the suspect CIS element with another, does the error change? Does the error point you to the CIS element you think is suspect?

Kiran

[D Hook]

What's confusing to me is that the error on the front panel reads "09.4:10". But there is no error in the service manual that lists that way. There is one listed in the service manual that reads "09.04:10" which points to the C element being bad. Are they the same error code?

I replaced the D element because is was not lighting the blue color at all, just dark. It DID light the red color though.

So I'll switch the new D element with the C element and see if the error moves to read "09.5:10" on the front panel.

[Kiran Otter]

I think it's a typo in the manual; at the top of the error code list it explains about XX.n values being used to specify i.e. an individual ink color. In this case it's specifying an individual CIS element. So the code on the printer is correct; the one in the manual is a bit confusing. But it's safe to assume .04 and .4 are the same thing.

I look forward to the outcome of your test.

Kiran

[D Hook]

Moved the CIS elements around and the error followed the element that was the original error.

There are 5 CIS elements labeled A, B, C, D, E embossed on the scanner plate.
The error codes listed in the SM are as follows:

09.2:10 = element A
09.3:10 = element B
09.4:10 = element C
09.5:10 = element D
09.6:10 = element E

Element D has been replaced in response to a 09.5:10 original error. It was obviously bad because the blue color would not light up. Only red.
Since then, the scanner has been showing an 09.4:10 error, indicating an error on the C element.

So I traded the D element and the C element and the error followed.

I did the same with a couple other elements and each time, the error followed where ever the C element was located, indicating to me the C element is causing the error. This also shows that the other elements are okay because the only error that comes up is when the C element is plugged into other locations. When looking at the C element, it does show blue color but it's more faint than the other 4 elements. Locating it to other places didn't change that.

The reason I list all these is because I don't think the scanner will show more than one bad element at a time. In other words, if the A element is bad, the scanner won't show that any other elements are bad until the A element is replaced. So you could replace the A element, boot up the scanner and THEN find the B element is also bad. I knew the D element was bad because it wouldn't show any blue color at all so there was no question about the need for replacement. It was only AFTER replacing the D element that the scanner then showed the C element also being bad. That's the one that was fluttering the blue color rather than a solid blue color. When it wasn't fluttering, staying on solid, it was more faint than the others, as I mentioned earlier.

So I'm guessing that I need to replace the C element.

Any insight is much appreciated.

[Kiran Otter]

You're absolutely right; the printer only displays one error rather than multiple for multiple failures. Sounds like you're now an expert on the matter. There's an interesting troubleshooting tree in the manual about the CIS elements I hadn't noticed, but it generally says to do what you've done based on visual inspection. There are sensors mentioned, and blocking the sensors cause all the CIS elements to light red, green or blue. Not sure what sensors they mean.

At any rate, good job getting it figured out.

Kiran

[D Hook]

They refer to the Red/Green/Blue sensors found when you lift the lid of the scanner. RGB is embossed on the black cover. From the SM: (This is the only place I can find a reference to the RGB sensors.)

Scanner Motor is failing Corrective action: Try the following:
1. Reboot the printer.
2. If system error persists, upgrade with the last firmware version. Appendix B: Emergency firmware upgrade with USB flash drive, see Appendix B: Emergency firmware upgrade with USB flash drive on page 121.
3. Open the scanner cover. Underneath you will see red flashing lights, then green, then blue.
4. In the center of the scanner cover, between the flashing lights, you will find 4 small sensors labeled as R, G, B and L. Put your fingers over the R, G and B sensors simultaneously and the scanner motor should advance.
5. If there is no response from the scanner motor, replace the Engine PCA, see EE Box on page 370 or Stepper motor see Scanner Motor Assembly (MFP only) on page 544.
6. Replace the Scanner Controller Board, see Scanner Controller Board (MFP only) on page 542.
7. Check the Scanner Controller board cable connections and replace the cables if required.
8. Replace Media Sensors, see Scanner Exit Media Sensors

Following these instructions, when I open the cover, only the red lights are blinking. No other colors show.
When I boot up the printer (with the cover open)only the blue lights are lit. (C is a bit fainter than others and corresponds to the error on the panel.)
At no time do the green/red/blue lights alternate on/off like the manual says they should. But this could be due to the 09.4:10 error state.
When I block the RGB sensors, I don't hear the motor move as it says it should. The red lights continue to blink. But this could also be due to the 09.4:10 error state. Don't know.
When I cover the Exit Media sensor, the red lights turn off. Then turn on again and continue to blink as soon as the exit sensor is uncovered.
After the printer has been on for a few minutes, the blue lights come on and stay on when I open the cover. Covering any of the sensors has no effect.
So I'm still a bit stumped. I think the next step is to open up the scanner and check/reseat the cables going into the controller since none of the results seem to align with the service manual tests. Going to hold off buying the other CIS element for now.

Hopefully I can figure this out. Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks!