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HP Designjet 400 Series Printers - Black Cartridge Accepted by the Printer, but will not Print Properly

	Parts required (part numbers are subject to change)
	Troubleshooting steps
	Accuracy calibration

KRS document number: BPP90074

Last updated: 01-May-2002

Minimum skill level: 2

The issue of the black cartridge being accepted by the printer, but not printing properly, should not be confused with "Pen Rejection." Pen rejection occurs when there is not a good electrical connection between cartridge and Carriage contacts. The black cartridge not printing normally occurs when there is a problem with the pen, such as a damaged contact strip, clogged nozzles, or a deprimed pen. Unlike the HP Designjet 700 series the HP Designjet 400 series does not have a drop detect sensor, which makes issues easier to diagnose. Use the steps listed in this document to accurately determine the cause of the failure and replace the appropriate parts.

Parts required (part numbers are subject to change)

Part description	Model numbers - C4713A, C4715A, C6080A, C6082A	Model numbers - C4714A, C4716A, C6081A, C6083A
Cutter (required) See Note below	C4713-60040	C4713-60040
Service Station (required)	C3190-60142	C3190-60142
Carriage (required)	C4713-60039	C4713-60039
Trailing Cable (required)	C4713-60181	C4714-60181
Spittoon (required)	C4713-60017	C4713-60017
Electronic Module (required)	C4713-60203 / 4713-69203	C4713-60203 / 4713-69203
Ink cartridge(s) (Optional)	51640A (Black), 51644C (Cyan), 51644M (Magenta), 51644Y (Yellow)	51640A (Black), 51644C (Cyan), 51644M (Magenta), 51644Y (Yellow)

NOTE: The HP Designjet 400 series printers have a very high rate of Cutter assembly failure. Due to this fact, the Cutter assembly must be replaced during any on-site repair (refer to page 8-21 of the HP Designjet 400 Series Service Manual for teardown procedures). If the Cutter appears OK, it still must be replaced at some point during the service call.

Troubleshooting steps

If parts are replaced or fixed in any of the steps listed below, attempt to verify printer functionality by turning the printer on and printing internal test prints. If functionality is verified, no additional parts should be replaced.

1. Turn the printer on and verify media setting is not set to Glossy.

NOTE: If Glossy media is selected, the printer will not use the black cartridge to print black. Instead the color cartridges will be used to create a composite black.

2. Change the media type to Coated.
3. Turn the printer off.
4. Open the top cover.
5. Remove the black cartridge.
6. Use the HP cleaning kit or a lint-free cloth dampened with water to clean the electrical contacts in the Carriage and on the print cartridge.
7. Turn the black cartridge upside-down, so the nozzle plate is facing up.
8. Wipe only the edges (corner-to-corner) of the nozzle plate. This will remove any type of build-up fibers (hair, paper) from the nozzle plate.

CAUTION: Wiping directly across the nozzle plate surface may cause damage to the nozzles, requiring replacement of the cartridge.

9. Turn the cartridge right side up.
10. Gently blot and hold nozzle plate on a lint-free cloth dampened with water. Hold for minimum of five seconds. Repeat blotting as needed until the ink is flowing freely into the cloth.
11. Using a lint-free cloth dampened with water, wipe each of the rubber-capping boots on the Service Station (left side of printer).
12. Ensure that the rubber wiper arms, to the right of each boot, are also wiped clean.
13. Check the Spittoon for excess ink; if so, replace the Spittoon (page 8-20 of the HP Designjet 400 Series Service Manual).

NOTE: If Removal and Replacement instructions are needed for reference during any repairs performed, refer to the HP Designjet 400 Series Service Manual available on the Computer Care Web site for review or download.

14. Close the top cover and turn the printer on without the cartridges installed.
15. When the Cartridge light flashes, open the top cover and insert the black cartridge.
16. The Ready light should flash three times.

NOTE: If the Ready light does not flash, re-insert the black cartridge into the Carriage while applying slight pressure to the back of the cartridge. Watch for the Ready light to flash, if no light flashes replace the cartridge.

17. Close the top cover.
18. Load paper when prompted.
19. When Ready, print the Print Quality Plot (Form Feed + Media Source).
20. Check for reoccurrence of issue. If resolved, print several internal or customer prints to verify functionality.
21. If the problem continues, replace the ink cartridge (if not yet replaced) and print the Print Quality Plot.

NOTE: If new cartridge shows good Print Quality and then the same issue reappears after only a few prints, the ink cartridges are depriming due to the Service Station. In this case, replace the Service Station assembly (refer to page 8-26).

22. If issue is not resolved, are the same nozzles missing (with old and new cartridge) on the PQ Plots?
23. If the same nozzles are missing, replace the Carriage and Trailing cable (refer to page 8-37, and page 8-34).
24. Attempt to verify functionality, if problems persist continue with the remaining steps.
25. Replace the Electronics module (refer to page 8-13).
26. Following replacement perform an Accuracy Calibration (listed below).

Accuracy calibration

1. Place a sheet of polyester film over the top of the printer for approximately 10 minutes to let it stabilize to the environmental conditions. Use a sheet approximately 24 x 36 inches, 61 x 91 cm (D-size). If sheet media is not available, roll media can be used if cut into a 24 X 36 inch sheet. When using polyester film, load it with the matte (dull) side down.

NOTE: If a polyester or matte film is not available, use HP Coated media when performing an Accuracy calibration.

2. Turn the printer off.
3. Press and hold in the MEDIA SOURCE key and turn the printer on (entering Service Mode 2).
4. Set the Media Type on the front panel to Coated Paper.
5. Load the film with the matte (dull) side down, in portrait orientation.
6. When the Ready LED lights up, press the REPRINT key.

NOTE: The Ready LED will begin to flash. Allow several minutes for the printer to complete the calibration print.

7. The printer will eject the sheet, and the Load Media LED will light up.
8. Unload the sheet from the printer.
9. Wait until the ink on the sheet is dry.
10. Cut the sheet along the dotted line and reload facedown into the printer in the direction indicated by the arrows on the calibration plot.

NOTE: The Ready LED will begin to flash. The printer takes less than 10 minutes to read the calibration sheet, calculate the calibration data, and save the data in the EEROM.

11. Unload the sheet from the printer.
12. The Accuracy calibration is now complete.
13. Turn the printer off then on, and verify printer functionality.

Copyright Hewlett-Packard Co. 2001
This information is subject to change without notice and
is provided "as is" with no warranty.
Hewlett-Packard shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages
in connection with the use of this material.

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