Did this site save (or help earn) you money? Say thanks with a small donation.

The TWI Designjet Documents library presented here as a courtesy  of   ComputerCareOnline.com   The owners of this website have no affiliation to Hewlett Packard nor do we claim to represent HP in any way shape or form.    Return to TWI Documents Library Index Page

HP Designjet 400 Series Printers - Flashing LEDs During Printer Initialization

Document number: BPP90079

Last updated: 18-Feb-2003

Minimum skill level: 2

All front panel LEDs begin to flash during printer initialization. The most common causes of this error are a poorly connected data cable (serial or parallel), or a malfunctioning electronics module. 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
Electronics module (required)	C4713-69203	C4713-69203

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 pages 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 off, wait 15 seconds, and turn the printer on.

2. If the printer completes initialization without any errors, verify functionality.

3. If all of the Front panel LEDs light up, turn the printer off.

4. Disconnect the data cable (Parallel or Serial) from the printer.

5. Turn the printer on and allow initialization to complete. If no error occurs during initialization, continue to Step 10.

6. If the error reappears, turn the printer off and remove all memory DIMM's from the printer.

7. Turn the printer on (without memory installed).

8. If no error appears, the problem is a faulty or defective memory DIMM (customer must replace as memory is not standard).

9. If the error re-appears, replace the Electronics module (refer to pages 8-13 of the Service Manual). Following replacement, perform an accuracy calibration (listed below) and attempt to verify functionality.

   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 Partner Care Web site for review or download.

10. Connect the data cable (with the printer turned on).

11. If no error appears after reconnecting the data cable, attempt to verify functionality.

12. If error reappears only when the data cable is connected, the problem is related to the data cable, cable connections, or corrupted information being sent to the printer.

13. Turn off the printer and restart the computer.

14. Turn the printer on and allow initialization to complete.

15. Turn the computer on and observe the printer’s front panel for an error to occur.

16. If error occurs, the issue is with the computer.

17. If no error, verify functionality.

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.

	Web computercareonline.com