| Basic Copier Trouble Shooting !
As with any piece of equipment
copiers will require maintenance and repairs. Copiers especially because their
inherent design and the desire for good copy quality.
Copiers also have many consumable parts and supplies.
Toner is a consumable supply. Well, there is also often developer, and such parts as the
Drum, Fuser Rollers, Cleaning Blades, various lamps, and other components. All of which
have a limited service life and will drastically affect machine performance and copy
quality as they degrade.
This page is designed to help you determine if your
machine just needs maintenance or if service repairs are necessary. The information
contained here within is Only a Reference and may or may not be applicable to your
specific machine.
Most Maintenance and Parts Replacement Repairs can be
accomplished by any person possessing average mechanical skills, good common sense, a
Service Sheet, a Phillips Head Magnetic Screwdriver, a
small thin bladed screwdriver, and a pair of small circlip pliers. With this you could
possibly save your machine and save yourself perhaps hundreds of dollars.
Paper Jams : * Paper Jams * Unable To Clear Jam Service Needed : * Error Code
Displayed * Service Man Displayed * Wrench
Displayed Copy Quality : * Light Copy *
Dark Copy * Blank Copy * Black Copy
* Vertical Lines On Copy * Horizontal
Lines On Copy * White Spots On Copy *
Black Spots On Copy * Copy Wipes Off *
Deletions On Copy * Latent Image/Stamping On Copy * Uneven Image Density
Paper Jams... Lets speak frankly.
Here is the low down on Paper Jams and the
frustration it causes for you and yes possible damage to the machine. Fact 80%
of ALL Paper Jams are either inferior paper quality, poor paper condition, or a
operator related problem and have nothing to do with the performance of the
machine.
Note : Theres nothing a Service Technician likes better than going
out on a service call for paper jamming and solving the problem, by simply bringing out
some fresh high quality paper, and also showing the operator proper care & handling of
that copy paper. Easy Money !
Regarding Paper Quality : Paper Quality is crucial to the copier for
preventing paper jams and achieving good copy quality. Often uneducated operators think
that "paper is paper" and why spend $10-$15 more per case. These users go out
and purchase the cheapest paper that they can find. This is a Major Mistake.
With those few dollars saved on paper your surely are going to have
plenty of frustration and poor image quality. Also those few dollars saved will be spent
again ten fold over when you have to call the serviceman out because of your machine paper
jamming. Save yourself money overall and headaches. Buy Only Name Brand High Quality Paper
!!
Physical Characteristics of Cheap Paper : Cheap paper has less of a
structured grain pattern and therefore will feel slick to the touch. It also is generally
of substandard weight and thickness. This paper will also be not as white/bright in color.
A Simple Clue : Priced between $20-$35 per case (10 reams) of Letter Size paper.
Basic Factors That Determine Paper Quality :
- Paper Finish, Texture, and Grain. Seek only paper that does not
exhibit a glossy or slick feel and has a well defined grain structure. Cheap paper is in
likeness to driving a car on a slick icy surface the car goes nowhere as does the paper
(instant mis-feed / jam). Also for copy quality, copiers like to have a properly finished
paper for the machine to lay down and fuse the toner effectively.
- Substance Weight/Thickness. Most all copiers require a minimum of
20lb. Substance Weight/Thickness. Generally cheap paper manufactures will fudge a bit on
this specification making the paper lighter/thinner than quality paper with the same specs
- Structure and Strength. Paper structure and strength are a very
important factors. For the copier draws paper from the paper cassette into the machine and
then generally pushes the trailing edge of the paper to the next set of rollers. If the
paper lacks sufficient strength it will buckle under this pressure creating an instant
paper jam.
- Color/Whiteness often referred to as "Brightness." The
cheaper paper will not exhibit the whiteness/brightness of a quality paper. This however
is only aesthetics and does not affect the performance of the machine. You will be however
amazed at the difference if you dare to compare.
Other Influences Regarding Paper Jamming :
Condition of Paper : One of most common causes of paper jamming
other than poor quality paper is humidity. Humidity disrupts the integrity of the paper,
reduces its strength, and strongly inhibits copy quality.
Its easy to determine if humidity is the cause of your problem. Look
at the paper loaded in your cassette if it appears to be uneven or lumpy and bumpy discard
it for this is an immediate paper jam. Also old paper that has absorbed humidity and dried
out again is also useless.
Paper can be ruined in as little as two hours time if the copier is
not located in a climate controlled office or if you live in such a place as the Pacific
Northwest were rain and humidity are commonplace. I recommend only loading enough paper in
your cassettes for one day. In humid climates keep your opened packages of paper sealed in
a plastic bag. Keep your cases of paper always with the lid on for the cardboard acts as a
moisture barrier.
Proper Paper Handling : Proper paper handling is essential. Settle
your paper against a flat surface being careful not do damage the leading edge of the
paper. Fan the stack of paper also, this provides a layer of air between each of paper and
therefore limits the possibility of mis-feeding or double feeding. Fill the cassette a
maximum 3/4 Full.
If your still having jamming problems now you can blame the machine
!
Machine Induced Factors Causing Paper Jamming :
- Feed Tires / Rollers are dirty, glazed, hardened, or worn . See
Do it Yourself Maintenance &
Service Tips Step #
5 for cleaning,de-glazing, and rejuvenating. If this does not work call your local service
tech.
- Pick-Off / Separator Fingers dirty or damaged. See
Do it Yourself Maintenance & Service Tips !
Step #
4 for cleaning. If damaged replace.
- Fuser Rollers worn. Causes paper wrinkling / jamming. Replace
(View On-line Store).
- Mylar(s) or separator belts damaged. Call service tech.
- Sensors / Timing Switches are not functioning properly. Call service
tech.
- Clutches are not functioning properly. Call service tech.
Unable to Clear Paper Jam or
Non-Existing Jam Causes :
If you are unable to clear a paper jam that is badly jammed by all
means call your local service tech. I have seen more machines damaged from clients trying
to remove paper jams with screw drivers, hair pins, coat hangers, etc. The net result of
this is generally damaging the most expensive parts of the machine the Drum or the Fuser
Rollers.
If you are fairly sure that you removed all of the paper from the
paper jam area(s) and the machines still reads a jam ("Non-Existing Jam") do the
following 1) make sure you reset the machine most machines generally have a reset button,
2) Un-plug the machine for 30 seconds then plug in, turn power on, and 3) reset as usual.
If this does not work call your local service tech you probably have a faulty or hung-up
paper sensor switch.
Very Important !... When Removing a Paper Jam Always
Avoid Tearing and Never Leave Any Paper Residue In Machine. Any Remaining Residue May
Result In continual jamming or a Non-Existing Jam / Service Call.
Error Code Displayed
Diagnostic codes such as Error Codes, Service Man Displayed, Wrench
Displayed, and Any Other Unusual Symbols Displayed are indications of a preset maintenance
call due, machine service needed, developer change needed, blown lamp, or a serious
machine malfunction.
The severity or immediacy of these codes and symbols range from nil
to un-plug the machine immediately. With some machines and or with some diagnostic codes
displayed, the machine may or may not "Lock You Out" of operating the control
panel and prevent continued operation.
To know what is actually going on you need a Service Code Sheet. Often times you may be able to
temporarily re-program the copier to allow continued operation until you or a service tech
can remedy the situation or problem.
Copy Quality Problems :
This basic diagnostic chart should help you diagnose and locate the
most common cause(s) of the symptom. And also help you determine if you want to attempt
the the repair yourself. However the information contained below is Only a Reference and
may or may not be applicable to your specific machine.
Many of the following symptoms are easily corrected either by simple
maintenance, parts replacement, or an appropriate service procedure. Described with each
symptom is a course of action to remedy the situation with the first diagnostic check or
corrective procedure being the most common cause.
Be sure to always have your Service
Sheet on hand while attempting any diagnosis, repairs, or adjustments.
ALL the Parts And Supplies You Need... to
Give Your Machine Perfect Copy.
Drums, Rollers, Lamps,Cleaning/Wiper Blades, Developer, etc.
View On-line Store
Copy Quality Trouble Shooting Chart
SYMPTOM
CAUSES
REMEDY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Light Copy :
Improper
Exposure Adjustment
Adjust Light / Dark
Setting.
Damp
or Poor Quality Paper
Replace
with Fresh Quality Paper.
Low
Toner Concentration
Check
for Toner.
Improper
Primary Corona Wire Height Adjust if applies. See Service Sheet.
Scratched,
Nicked, or Pin Holed Drum Replace or Call Service Tech.
Improper
Toner Concentration
Replace Developer. See
Service Sheet.
Burned
Corona Wires (will appear blue) Call Service Tech for replacement.
Dark Copy :
Improper
Exposure Adjustment
Adjust Light / Dark
Setting.
Dirty
Optics, Lenses, and Mirrors Clean, see Maintenance
Section Step #6.
Improper
Primary Corona Wire Height Adjust if applies. See Service Sheet.
Improper
Toner Concentration
Replace Developer. See
Service Sheet.
Blank Copy :
Broken
or Missing Corona Wire Call
Service Tech to repair.
Faulty
Corona Block Contacts
Call Service Tech to
repair.
Black Copy :
Blown
Exposure Lamp
Replace
or Call Service Tech.
Faulty
Exposure Lamp Thermo Fuse Replace or Call
Service Tech.
Contaminated
Lamp Contacts
Clean or
Replace.
Light
Path/Optics Obstructed
Clear Obstruction.
Vertical Lines On Copy :
(top to bottom, perpendicular to paper path)
Scratched
Drum/Photoreceptor
Replace or Call Service
Tech.
Faulty
Drum Cleaning Blade
Replace or
Call Service Tech.
Scratched
Upper Fuser Roller
Replace or Call Service
Tech.
Horizontal Lines On Copy :
(left to right, parallel to paper path)
Scratched
Upper Fuser Roller
Replace or Call Service
Tech.
Scratched
Drum/Photoreceptor
Replace or Call Service
Tech.
Faulty
Drum Cleaning Blade
Replace or
Call Service Tech.
Exposure
Lamp has Blackened Cell Replace or Call Service
Tech.
Horizontal Deletion Lines :
(left to right, parallel to paper path)
Dirty
Corona Wires
Clean,
see Maintenance Section Step #3.
White Spots
On Copy :
Nicked/Pin
Holed Drum/Photoreceptor Replace or Call Service Tech.
Black Spots
On Copy :
Dirty
Copyboard Glass or Optics Clean, see
Maintenance Section Step #6.
Nicked/Pin
Holed Drum/Photoreceptor Replace or Call Service Tech.
Contaminants
on Drum
Clean,
Replace, or Call Service Tech.
Contaminants
on Fuser Rollers Clean, see
Maintenance Section Step #4.
Nicked
Upper Fuser Roller
Replace
or Call Service Tech.
Contaminated
Developer or Toner Replace or Call Service
Tech.
Contaminated
Drum Cleaning Roller Clean or Call Service Tech.
Copy Wipes
Off or Smudges :
Depleted
Fuser Oil
Add
Oil if applies. See Service Sheet.
Spent
Upper Fuser Cleaning Roller If applies, Replace.
Blown
Lamp, Thermistor, or Thermo-Fuse Replace or Call Service Tech.
Deletions
On Copy :
Scratched
or Nicked Drum/Photoreceptor Replace or Call Service Tech.
Scratched
or Nicked Upper Fuser Roller Replace or Call Service Tech.
Latent Image
Stamped On Copy :
Faulty
Drum Cleaning Blade
Replace or
Call Service Tech.
Faulty
Upper Fuser Cleaning Blade Replace or Call Service
Tech.
Fault
Upper Fuser Cleaning Roller Replace or Call Service
Tech.
Uneven Image
Density :
Uneven
Primary Corona Wire Height Adjust if applies. See
Service Sheet.
Scratched,
Nicked, or Pin Holed Drum Replace or Call Service Tech.
Uneven
Toner Concentration
Call
Service Tech to repair.
Exposure
Lamp has Blackened Cell Replace or Call Service
Tech.
* Note : Canon NP Series Copiers do no use developer.
Optional Color (red, blue, etc.) Units do however.
** Note : Regarding Spots, Marks, etc. on copy can easily be
diagnosed as follows. Run 3-5 copies of an original.
If the imperfection on the copy stays stationary on each copy during
multiple copy runs, the problem can be pin pointed to dirty copyboard glass or dirty
optics. Look at your copyboard real close, for any small residue on the glass will leave a
subsequent black mark on your copy.
If the imperfection moves from left to right horizontally (parallel
to the paper path) but stays the same vertical height from top to bottom, it will then be
either the Drum, Upper Fuser Roller, or contamination on the DV Developer/Toner Magnetic
Roller or contamination on the Drum Cleaning Roller.
To narrow it down to the precise cause/damaged roller : Each roller
is unique in its diameter (i.e. Drum = 4"dia., Upper Fuser Roller = 2" dia, and
Developer/Toner Roller = 1" dia.) and has a significant difference in circumference.
With a imperfection on the problem roller that imperfection will be reproduced on the copy
equal to the circumference of the damaged drum or roller.
A Simple Trick, generally the imperfection on the copy will appear
at least twice, take the copy with the imperfection and roll it up aligning the two
closest alike imperfections, that will give you the diameter of the Drum or Roller causing
the imperfection.
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