HP Deskjet 560C Detailed Problem Description and Possible Solutions
"I have a HP DeskJet 560C, Model C2168A that
is behaving badly. When I power it on initially, it appears to run
through a diagnostic self-test (as evidenced by the sequence of
LEDs on the control panel). It gets to the point where it moves
the print head and that is where things go bad. I think it is attempting
to report some sort of error code because it then flashes some of
the LEDs in a repeating pattern (more on that later).
First let me describe mechanically what it is
doing. When it gets to the point in the power-up routine where it
moves the print head, it should do the following:
1. Move print head to the extreme right.
2. Prime the print head (???), a stepper motor
on the right raises a mechanism to contact the print head.
3. Position the print head in a ready position.
OK, here is what it is doing (please forgive my feeble attempts
to describe in words what is happening):
1. I hear three distinct sounds (whirring of various
stepper motors I think) before the print head moves.
2. The first two sounds seem normal from what
I can remember when the printer used to work.
3. The third sound is the loudest and doesn't
sound at all normal. It sounds as if the stepper motor that does
the priming is oscillating back and forth between two "steps"
(the sound is like a stripping gear).
4. The print head moves approx. 1" to the
right.
5. The print head immediately moves approx. 1.5"
to the left (note, this sequence of print head movements happens
bang-bang (no delays between movements).
The end result is that the print head winds up about 0.5" to
left of the position it was in when the unit was powered on. If
I continue the power on sequences enough times it will end up at
the extreme left and will be accompanied by a much uglier, more
sinister sound of the print head slapping against the leftmost guard
(as if the printer is attempting to throw the print head through
the case).
Now let me describe the sequence that happens
with the LEDs. The control panel has 9 LEDs arranged in three columns
of three LEDs each. The leftmost column of LEDs lies between the
"CLEAN" button at the top and the "Font" button
at the bottom. The middle column of LEDs lies between the "Alignment
Test" button and the "Status" button. Finally, the
rightmost column of LEDs lies between the "Install Print Cartridge"
button and the "Quality" button.
(From: Jason D. Pero (JDP6640@ritvax.isc.rit.edu).)
The grinding sound from priming area is the jammed
lever black stick that is pushed towards a bit towards right. If
it good, it should be in upright position. If stuck too very right,
unstick it by pushing it back to upright position towards left.
This stick can be seen between the carriage rod and the printhead's
purging rubber nipples and wipers. Also clean (gently!) the clear
plastic strip with that fine black lines on it. First the clear
strip must be removed first before doing this operation: The sensor
is behind the printhead riding the clear strip, remove it by unengaging
two triangular fingers inwards from outside and pull the sensor
unit outwards towards back. Dust off inside that sensor gap and
snap it back in.
Finally clean and oil both carriage rod and the
angled underside area where the bearing block contacts upward onto
it. Oil that carriage motor carefully and all stepper motors.
That should solve everything. This have happened
to my 520, and my friends' 540 and 560C. Pretty common problem!
Usual action when misbehaving is slamming either stops or do a "rushed
start/stop" and some odd scary noises. All complains with pretty,
interesting alterating flashes from the LED's on the control panel.
Pure or almost pure alcohol stuff is best as it
does not melt anything or rub marks off and some 2 in 1 heavy duty
oil "blue band" can. Top and bottom white shells comes
apart easily after unengaging four snaps, doing one at a time and
pulling gently and with a small flat screwdriver. Top off, the engine
is free. disconnect with care to both ribbon cables one for carriage
motor, and the flat white ribbon, or in some models that uses dual
printheads, unplug another stepper motor. All connections you need
to worry about is only from the mainboard side. Then the print engine
lifts out without any fastening hardware.
WELL DESIGNED 5xx series compared to many printers
past and now! I have a 520 chugging away after this fix and real
cheap for that printer from a owner who does not want it.
Only problem is cost of cartridges. :( $50 of
two versus $13 can of toner powder for an Okidata 400 that will
last thousands of papers. Only problem is Oki. 400 LED laser thinks
(processing graphics) very slowly. Is there a hack to swap the proper
circuit boards from other similar Oki 400/800 series to make it
work faster and more useful than a pokey 186 cpu equipped Oki 400???
Your comments and suggestions on which brand of
refill inks that is perfect for those cartridges. I know how to
refill it right after experimenting on a bad cartridge and successfully
refilling one good cartridge from a bad cartridge (dead jet out
of 48 jets I think).
(From: Glenn Allen (glenn@manawatu.gen.nz).)
It is not a stripped gear is it?
The old DJ500 used to have 2 levers on the right
hand side at the back that went up and down. Sometimes these got
stuck and noises could be heard. Normal paper feed problems here.
A problem with a DJ850 was that paper got stuck
and to get it out I had to remove the paper feed motor on the drive
shaft, when put back it would bang the left hand side of the case.
Needles to say it needed the cog setup back to right place it expects
when powered on.
hose printers have an index strip that the printhead
follows doesn't it? Is this clean, i.e. Not ink all over the place.?
Lastly if you are repairing and turning your printer
up and down, check you do not lose the rubber cap where the printhead
sits, and clears the guns, If you do your cartridges will become
clogged in no time.
Also clean the print head shaft, any gunk on it
will cause the printhead head to stick thus giving error light or
worst powers down the printer.
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