Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer

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My Canon Pixma ip4000 printer: I haven't used it in months, and barely
used it all before then, but just 2 weeks after my warranty ran out it
has decided to stop working. When power is turned on, the printer head
refuses to snap-to the center; it behaves as if it's locked or a pulley
(rubber band?) isn't working. The power light flashes alternatively
orange and green (which, according to the manual indicates a possible
"repair shop" problem.)

Before I bring this to a shop and spend probably the amount I paid for
it brand-new, is there a way of fixing this oneself?

Shnaggletooth

 

[zakezuke]

My Canon Pixma ip4000 printer: I haven't used it in months, and barely

used it all before then, but just 2 weeks after my warranty ran out it
has decided to stop working. When power is turned on, the printer head
refuses to snap-to the center; it behaves as if it's locked or a pulley
(rubber band?) isn't working. The power light flashes alternatively
orange and green (which, according to the manual indicates a possible
"repair shop" problem.)

Firstly how many times does it blink. If it's something like 7 times
than it's a waste tank full error.

 

[[email protected]]

Firstly how many times does it blink. If it's something like 7 times
than it's a waste tank full error.

It blinks orange-green-orange-green, etc.

Shnaggletooth

 

[zakezuke]

Firstly how many times does it blink. If it's something like 7 times

It blinks orange-green-orange-green, etc.

http://knightcrawler.filefront.com/

Burried in there is the service manual, which does contain the blink
codes. But if it never stops, that's a "rom error". I've not even
met the rom or the system board personaly, but even if I have and I
could say it was socketed, I wouldn't know where to get the rom in file
form nor does the average person have a ROM burner.. with the exception
of their motherboard.

The blink codes are also listed on this site
http://www.dvdadvdr.com/forums/archive/topic/48370-1.html

To double check you "could" try going into service mode via the
following procedure, with the USB cord disconnected in the unlikely
event there is an issue with the PC's usb.


------------------
I. Make sure the printer is off but is plugged in

II. Hold down [RESUME] (Triangle pointed down) and hold down [POWER]
and wait 5 seconds or so.

Release [RESUME] but Continue to hold [POWER]. Double click [RESUME].
then Release [POWER].

Press [RESUME], than [POWER]. This should cause the printer to print a
simple diagnostic that'll list it's ROM number and list CDR SENSOR=OK
in red for the last line.
Press [RESUME] twice then [POWER]] to print off the second diagnostic.
Press [POWER] by it self to exit service mode and return to being a
printer.
------------------------------------------------------------

This should isolate whether the printer is not printing because it
doesn't want to, or isn't printing because something is wrong. Odds
are it's the logic board, or a connection to the logic board if you
can't get the sucker into service mode at all, or can get into service
mode and it won't print the diagnostics. If you can, odds are you have
a diaper full condition.

If you are curious about worst case scenero, you can ask about
"QM2-1548" the main logic board. How much it costs to replace, or how
much it costs to get. But odds are if you do have a failed logic board
that looking for a used ip4000 with a bum head, and using your head is
a viable solution. Or, buying another printer, cleaning up your print
head, and selling it on e-bay. I don't know if this is your problem,
but given the ip4000 sells for $100 to $150 on closeout sites, and a
new ip4200 runs about $80... if your printer is toast parting out and
buying a new is often most cost effective, and does someone a favor.

 

[[email protected]]

I wasn't able to get it into Service mode. Thanks for the advice,
though. Looks like a brand-new printer -- but I think I'm going to
avoid Canon.

Shnaggletooth

 

[measekite]

zakezuke wrote:



It blinks orange-green-orange-green, etc.

Shnaggletooth

BEWARE OF THE ADVICE YOU GET ON THIS NG/. THERE ARE MANY HACKERS HERE
THAT THINK THEY KNOW. IF YOU CALL CANON TECH SUPPT THEY WILL AT LEAST
TELL YOU WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND MAY GIVE YOU A CLUE ON HOW TO FIX IT.
IF IT IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY SOMETIMES THEY WILL SEND YOU A REFURB
IFYOU USE CANON OEM INK.

 

[zakezuke]

I wasn't able to get it into Service mode. Thanks for the advice,

though. Looks like a brand-new printer -- but I think I'm going to
avoid Canon.

Canon is actually typicaly pretty good, and the ip4000 is no lame duck.
You got a bum one that had an issue 2 weeks after the warranty
expired, but I know countless people who have units running 2 to 3
years from the origional purchace. And they are worth a pretty penny
dead. People want heads, parts, and to keep their unit in service.

Also troubleshooting via usenet is not the most reliable means of
diagonisis. For all I know you just need to slap the printer to get it
to resume normal operation. If you are going to chuck it anyway, might
as well kick it.

But if you want to consider something other than canon, i'd look at the
hp 8250. Sub $150, does employ seperate ink tanks and does have a
seperate head. If it wasn't for CD printing, and ease of refilling,
i'd probally still be buying HPs..

 

[Paul Heslop]

BEWARE OF THE ADVICE YOU GET ON THIS NG/. THERE ARE MANY HACKERS HERE
THAT THINK THEY KNOW. IF YOU CALL CANON TECH SUPPT THEY WILL AT LEAST
TELL YOU WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND MAY GIVE YOU A CLUE ON HOW TO FIX IT.
IF IT IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY SOMETIMES THEY WILL SEND YOU A REFURB
IFYOU USE CANON OEM INK.

Ignore this tosser

 

[zakezuke]

Ignore this tosser

This is one of the rare cases where Measekite has valuable input.
Being the K-rad elite hacker d00d as he describes I often forget about
the fact that sometimes... sometimes... there are issues that are
covered well beyond the warranty. Who knows.

As far as telling what's wrong... I linked to the blink codes, support
wouldn't know anything more on that subject. Assuming endless
blinking, that's a ROM problem. Not that you should always assume the
blink codes are accurate, but that sugests the rom is fried, not
connected. Bad solder connection or a power surge, probally a power
surge. Loose wire is always possible.

But he's right, those filthy k-rad hacker d00ds like my self are the
least likely to consider calling technical support. It's worth a shot,
the worst they will do is tell you it's not covered.

 

[Tony]

It blinks orange-green-orange-green, etc.

Shnaggletooth

Before you throw it away, can you confirm that the alternating blinking light
never pauses and then starts again? If it does pause briefly, then you need to
count the number of iterations between pauses. That will provide a more
accurate diagnosis.
Tony

 

[Paul Heslop]

This is one of the rare cases where Measekite has valuable input.
Being the K-rad elite hacker d00d as he describes I often forget about
the fact that sometimes... sometimes... there are issues that are
covered well beyond the warranty. Who knows.

As far as telling what's wrong... I linked to the blink codes, support
wouldn't know anything more on that subject. Assuming endless
blinking, that's a ROM problem. Not that you should always assume the
blink codes are accurate, but that sugests the rom is fried, not
connected. Bad solder connection or a power surge, probally a power
surge. Loose wire is always possible.

But he's right, those filthy k-rad hacker d00ds like my self are the
least likely to consider calling technical support. It's worth a shot,
the worst they will do is tell you it's not covered.

:O) I never thought I'd see the day.

 

[Frank]

measekite wrote:




Ignore this tosser

Yeah advice from that piece of shit moron idiot is worse than useless
cause it's a total waste of time to even read. I see that stupid asshole
is still doing his idiot routine of all cap crap!
Kill file the loser...PLEASE...we're all so over his mindless, useless
garbage.
Let the moron talk only to himself.
Frank

 

[Paul Heslop]

Yeah advice from that piece of shit moron idiot is worse than useless
cause it's a total waste of time to even read. I see that stupid asshole
is still doing his idiot routine of all cap crap!
Kill file the loser...PLEASE...we're all so over his mindless, useless
garbage.
Let the moron talk only to himself.
Frank

As was pointed out by someone else he actually makes a good point
somewhere in his drivel, but as he refuses to even pretend to act like
anyone else I completely missed it.

 

[zakezuke]

:O) I never thought I'd see the day.

Measkekite offers the following useful advice

1. Kirkland Costco paper is cheap and pretty good
2. Call tech support - read the manual
3. Buying OEM is less trouble
4. Krylon uv-resistant clear acrylic spray or Aaron Bros spray to
water proof your prints.

All of these are true useful things to say, easy to miss in a flood of
450 messages per month.

 

[Paul Heslop]

Measkekite offers the following useful advice

1. Kirkland Costco paper is cheap and pretty good
2. Call tech support - read the manual
3. Buying OEM is less trouble
4. Krylon uv-resistant clear acrylic spray or Aaron Bros spray to
water proof your prints.

All of these are true useful things to say, easy to miss in a flood of
450 messages per month.

:O)

 

[[email protected]]

It will blink short blinks orange-green-orange-green a total of 12x
(ie. the orange blinks short blinks 12x). Then there will be a longer
green blink. Then another 12x alternating, and so on.

(I should have also mentioned: The printer is no longer hooked up to a
USB into my computer; I'm trying to get it into service mode and
diagnose it separated from my system.)

Shnaggletooth

 

[measekite]

LIKE I SAID. TALK TO CANON TECH SUPPORT.

 

[[email protected]]

I called them right now. They're going to send me a replacement. I'm
surprised, because the warranty has expired by a couple of weeks.

Shnaggletooth

 

[Paul Heslop]

I called them right now. They're going to send me a replacement. I'm
surprised, because the warranty has expired by a couple of weeks.

Shnaggletooth

But, as has been pointed out, some things should last longer than
guarantee time, such as cookers, televisions and three piece suites.
Your problem appears to be with the operating system of the printer
which are not replaceable by you and should last longer than the
consumable parts.

 

[measekite]

I called them right now. They're going to send me a replacement. I'm
surprised, because the warranty has expired by a couple of weeks.

Shnaggletooth

AND THE MORONS IN THIS NG SAY MEASKITE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING
ABOUT. I TOLD YOU THERE WAS A CHANCE.