HP Designjet 230 Service Manual - Page 164

Troubleshooting Tips Diagnosing problems. Print quality and service configuration plots: You can use these plots to help diagnose problems. (See ' pages 8Ć46 and 8Ć51). FirmwareĆcode revision level. Print a setup sheet or a service configuration plot to check the firmwareĆcode revision level that the plotter is using. The plotter may be using inĆbuilt firmware, or firmware from a flash ROM SIMM. (Which firmware? ' page 8Ć3). Repair and calibrate. After you have made a repair, consider whether any calibrations have been affected. Cartridges fail frequently. Remove tape and align cartridges: One frequent cause of cartridge problems is that the user has forgotten to remove the tape from new cartridges. Remove the tape. Priming cartridges to clear nozzles ' User's Guide. Primer tubes: When you prime cartridges, and there seems to be no result, ensure that the primer tubes are not clogged up with ink. Damaged encoder strip: Another frequent cause of apparent cartridge failure may be a damaged encoder strip. If the small slots on the strip are damaged, the plotter cannot position the carriage correctly during cartridge checking. Try replacing the encoder strip. Faulty cartridge: Some black cartridges (51640A) with USE BEFORE dates of April '96 and earlier may have thinĆfilm damage. This means that the material used for channeling ink behind the nozzles can crack with aging. When this happens, ink seepage may cause many nozzles to fail (eight or more). Replace the black cartridge with one with USE BEFORE date of May '96 or later. Dirty pads: The connection between the carriage PCA and the cartridge flex connector is made by means of a gold bubble on the flex connector that touches a gold pad on the PCA. The Carriage Test includes a test of this connection. When nozzle failures occur, try cleaning the pads with isopropilic alcohol (warnings ' page 6Ć2). Worn wipers: If the wipers in the service station are worn down, they do not properly wipe the cartridge heads. Easy to replace. Carriage sensor does not correctly find media edge. Ink on roller: Excessive ink deposits on the driveĆroller surface can fool the sensor by reflecting the light. (Cleaning roller ' chapter 4.) Optical sensor incorrectly calibrated: The accuracy calibration includes calibration of the optical sensor on the carriage. You must use polyester film when performing the accuracy calibration. Otherwise the optical sensor will have problems loading some types of media. 8Ć30 Troubleshooting C4699Ć90000