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HP Designjet 300 Series Printers - Black Cartridge is Accepted by the Printer, but Will not Print Properly

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

KRS document number: BPP90087

Last updated: 28-Feb-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 300 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	Models - C4701A, C4699A	Models - C4702A, C4700A
Service Station (Required)	C3190-60142	C3190-60142
Carriage (Required)	C4699-60082	C4699-60082
Trailing Cable (Required)	C4713-60181	C4714-60181
Spitoon Assembly (Required)	C4699-60002	C4699-60002
Electronic Module (Required)	C4699-69039	C4699-69039
Ink Cartridges (Optional)	51640A (Black), 51644C (Cyan), 51644M (Magenta), 51644Y (Yellow)	51640A (Black), 51644C (Cyan), 51644M (Magenta), 51644Y (Yellow)

NOTE: If removal and replacement instructions are needed for reference during any repairs performed, refer to the HP Designjet 300 Series Service Manual available on the Partner Care Web site for review or download.

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 media type to Coated, and attempt to verify functionality. If problems persist continue with the remaining steps.
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. Using a dampened lint-free cloth, wipe 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 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 5 (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. Turn the printer on without cartridges installed.
14. When the Cartridge light flashes, open the Top cover and insert the black cartridge.
15. The Ready light should flash three times.

NOTE: If the Ready light does not flash, reinsert 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.

16. Close the Top cover.
17. Turn the printer on and load paper when prompted.
18. Print the Print Quality Plot (press the PRINT QUALITY and ROLL/SHEET keys).
19. Check for reoccurrence of issue. If resolved, print several internal or customer prints to verify functionality.
20. 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 (pg. 6-28 of the HP Designjet 300 Series Service Manual).

21. If issue is not resolved, determine if the same nozzles are missing (with old and new cartridge) on the Print Quality Plots.
22. If the same nozzles are missing, replace the Carriage and Trailing cable (refer to pg. 6-37 of the HP Designjet 300 Series Service Manual). Following replacement, perform an Accuracy calibration (listed below).
23. Attempt to verify functionality.
24. If problem persists or different nozzles are missing, check that the Spitoon is not full. Clean or replace the Spitoon assembly as needed (refer to pg. 6-23 of the HP Designjet 300 Series Service Manual). Following replacement attempt to verify functionality. If problems persist, continue with replacing the Electronics Module.
25. Replace the Electronics module (refer to pg. 6-13 of the HP Designjet 300 Series Service Manual). Following replacement, perform a Black Cartridge Alignment, a Color Cartridge Test and an Accuracy calibration (listed below).
26. Verify printer 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 of approximately D-size (24 x 36 inches, 61 x 91 cms). Roll media may also be used. 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 PRINT QUALITY key and turn the printer on (entering Service Mode 2).
4. Continue to hold the PRINT QUALITY key until LEDs on front panel begin sequencing.
5. Set the Media Type on the front panel to Film.
6. Load the film with the matte (dull) side down, in portrait orientation.
7. When the Ready LED lights up, press the ACCURACY CALIBRATION key.

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

8. The printer will eject the sheet, and the Load Media LED will light up.
9. Unload the sheet from the printer.
10. Wait until the ink on the sheet is dry.
11. Reload the sheet 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 one minute to read the calibration sheet, calculate the calibration data, and save the data in the EEROM.

12. Unload the sheet from the printer.
13. The Accuracy calibration is now complete.
14. 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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