| 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. |