Basic Copier Trouble Shooting

8/2/2019 Basic Copier Trouble Shooting

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Basic Copier Trouble Shooting

Sorry to See You Here... But as with any piece of equipment copiers will requiremaintenance and repair. Copiers especially because their inherent design and the desirefor 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, CleaningBlades, various lamps, and other components. All of which have a limited service life andwill 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 ifservice repairs are necessary. The information contained here within is Only a Referenceand 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 PhillipsHead Magnetic Screwdriver, a small thin bladed screwdriver, and a pair of small circlippliers. With this you could possibly save your machine and save yourself perhapshundreds of dollars.

Paper Jams... Lets speak frankly.

Well that Paper Jamming ___,___,___ !!... I Can't tell you how many times I heard thatone ! Well 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 inferiorpaper quality, poor paper condition, or a operator related problem and have nothing to dowith the performance of the machine.

Note : There's nothing a Service Technician likes better than going out on a service callfor paper jamming and solving the problem, by simply bringing out some fresh highquality 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 jamsand 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 cheapestpaper that they can find. This is a Major Mistake.

With those few dollars saved on paper your surely are going to have plenty of frustrationand poor image quality. Also those few dollars saved will be spent again ten fold overwhen you have to call the serviceman out because of your machine paper jamming. Saveyourself money overall and headaches. Buy Only Name Brand High Quality Paper !!


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Physical Characteristics of Cheap Paper : Cheap paper has less of a structured grainpattern and therefore will feel slick to the touch. It also is generally of substandard weight/ thickness, and also will not be as white/bright in color. A Simple Clue : Inferior qualitypaper is generally priced between $15-$30 per case (10 reams) for Letter Size paper.

Basic Factors That Determine Paper Quality :

1. Paper Finish, Texture, and Grain. Seek only paper that does not exhibit aglossy or slick feel and has a well defined grain structure. Cheap paper isin likeness to driving a car on a slick icy surface the car goes nowhere asdoes the paper (instant mis-feed / jam). Also for copy quality, copiers liketo have a properly finished paper for the machine to lay down and fuse thetoner effectively.

2. Substance Weight/Thickness. Most all copiers require a minimum of 20lb.Substance Weight/Thickness. Generally cheap paper manufactures willfudge a bit on this specification making the paper lighter/thinner than

quality paper with the same specs3. Structure and Strength. Paper structure and strength are a very importantfactors. For the copier draws paper from the paper cassette into themachine and then generally pushes the trailing edge of the paper to thenext set of rollers. If the paper lacks sufficient strength it will buckle underthis pressure creating an instant paper jam.

4. Color/Whiteness often referred to as "Brightness." The cheaper paper willnot exhibit the whiteness/brightness of a quality paper. This however isonly aesthetics and does not affect the performance of the machine. Youwill 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 poorquality paper is humidity. Humidity disrupts the integrity of the paper, reduces itsstrength, and strongly inhibits copy quality.

Its easy to determine if humidity is the cause of your problem. Look at the paper loadedin your cassette if it appears to be uneven or lumpy and bumpy discard it for this is animmediate paper jam. Also old paper that has absorbed humidity and dried out again isalso useless.

Paper can be ruined in as little as two hours time if the copier is not located in a climatecontrolled office or if you live in such a place as the Pacific Northwest were rain andhumidity are commonplace. I recommend only loading enough paper in your cassettes forone 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 moisturebarrier.


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Proper Paper Handling : Proper paper handling is essential. Settle your paper against aflat surface being careful not do damage the leading edge of the paper. Fan the stack ofpaper also, this provides a layer of air between each of paper and therefore limits thepossibility 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 itYourself 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 YourselfMaintenance & Service Tips ! Step # 4 for cleaning. If damaged replace(Request Parts Quote) or call service tech.

Fuser Rollers worn. Causes paper wrinkling / jamming. Replace (ViewOn-line Catalog) or call service tech.

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 localservice tech. I have seen more machines damaged from clients trying to remove paperjams with screw drivers, hair pins, coat hangers, etc. The net result of this is generallydamaging 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 themachines still reads a jam ("Non-Existing Jam") do the following 1) make sure you resetthe machine most machines generally have a reset button, 2) Unplug the machine for 30seconds then plug in, turn power on, and 3) reset as usual. If this does not work call yourlocal service tech you probably have a faulty or hung-up paper sensor switch.

Very Important !... When Removing a Paper Jam Always Avoid Tearing and NeverLeave 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, andAny Other Unusual Symbols Displayed are indications of a preset maintenance call due,machine service needed, developer change needed, blown lamp, or a serious machinemalfunction.


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The severity or immediacy of these codes and symbols range from nil to unplug themachine 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 preventcontinued operation.

To know what is actually going on you need a Service Code Sheet. Often times you maybe able to temporarily reprogram the copier to allow continued operation until you or aservice 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 therepair yourself. However the information contained below is Only a Reference and mayor may not be applicable to your specific machine.

Many of the following symptoms are easily corrected either by simple maintenance, partsreplacement, or an appropriate service procedure. Described with each symptom is acourse of action to remedy the situation with the first diagnostic check or correctiveprocedure being the most common cause.

Be sure to always have your Service Sheet on hand while attempting any diagnosis,repairs, or adjustments.

WARNING !! ... Disclaimer, the author advises that you have a competent service techdemonstrate to you appropriate procedures before trying it yourself.

Copy Quality Trouble Shooting Chart

SYMPTOM CAUSES REMEDY

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Light Copy :

Improper Exposure Adjustment Adjust Light /

Dark Setting.

Damp or Poor Quality Paper Replace

with Fresh Quality Paper.


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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


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.


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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.


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


White Spots

On Copy :

Nicked/Pin Holed Drum/Photoreceptor Replace or

Call Service Tech.


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Black Spots

On Copy :

Dirty Copyboard Glass or Optics Clean, see


Nicked/Pin Holed Drum/Photoreceptor Replace or

Call Service Tech.

Contaminants on Drum Clean, Replace, or

Call Service Tech.

Nicked Upper Fuser Roller Replace or

Call Service Tech.

Contaminated Developer or Toner Replace or

Call Service Tech.

Contaminated Drum Cleaning Roller Clean orCall Service Tech.

Copy Wipes

Off or Smudges :

Depleted Fuser Oil Add Oil if


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 CallService Tech.

Latent Image

Stamped On Copy :


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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


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.

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* Note : Canon NP Series Copiers do not use developer. Optional Color (red, blue, etc.)

Units do however.

Diagnosis of Spots or Marks on Copy

Regarding Spots, Marks, etc. on copy can easily be diagnosed as follows. Run 3-5 copiesof an original. If the imperfection on the copy stays stationary on each copy duringmultiple copy runs, the problem can be pin pointed to dirty copyboard glass or dirtyoptics. Look at your copyboard real close, for any small residue on the glass will leave asubsequent black mark on your copy.

If the imperfection moves from left to right horizontally (parallel to the paper path) butstays the same vertical height from top to bottom, it will then be a defective Drum, UpperFuser Roller, and or contamination on the DV Developer/Toner Magnetic Roller.

To narrow it down to the precise cause/damaged roller : Each roller is unique in itsdiameter (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


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problem roller that imperfection will be reproduced on the copy equal to thecircumference of the damaged drum or roller.

A Simple Trick, generally the imperfection on the copy will appear at least twice, takethe 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.

Basic Copier Trouble Shooting

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