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HP Designjet 350C Series Printers - Pen Rejection, Flashing Film + Error LEDs

	Parts required (part numbers are subject to change)
	Troubleshooting steps
	Sensors Service test
	Accuracy calibration
	Color Cartridge test

KRS document number: BPP90092

Last updated: 28-Feb-2002

Minimum skill level: 2

Pen rejection occurs when there is not a good electrical connection between the cartridge and the carriage contacts. Dirty contacts, the wrong type of cartridge, a defective carriage slot, or a bad top cover sensor are some of the causes for a bad electrical connection. 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 - C4699A	Model numbers - C4700A
Carriage Assembly (Required)	C4699-60082	C4699-60082
Trailing Cable (Required)	C4713-60181	C4714-60181
Front Panel (Required)	C3190-60144	C3190-60144
Electronics 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. Lift the Top cover.
2. Remove all four ink cartridges and turn the printer off.
3. Clean the electrical contacts in all the Carriage slots and on every cartridge. Use the HP Cleaning Kit or a lint-free cloth dampened with water. This will remove any dirt or ink that may be preventing a good connection.
4. Close the Top cover, and turn the printer on (without cartridges installed).
5. When printer display flashes the Film + error led's, open the Top cover.
6. Install any one of the cartridges (Ready led should flash 2-3 times).
7. If the Ready led does not flash during cartridge insertion, remove and re-insert the cartridge in question at least twice.
8. Remove the cartridge and repeat steps 6 and 7 for each cartridge.
9. Replace all cartridges that do not flash Ready when inserted.

NOTE: If replacement cartridges are not available, break the tabs off of a color cartridge (that was accepted) and insert into a Carriage location that did not flash Ready. This will help in determining defective cartridges or Carriage slots. The black cartridge cannot be used in any other Carriage slot (electronics different from color cartridges).

10. If replacing defective cartridges does not solve the problem, continue with step 12.
11. If none of the cartridges flash a Ready led, continue with the Sensor Service Test as listed below to eliminate the top cover sensor as a cause.

NOTE: If the printer recognizes the cover as closed, it will not see a removal or insertion of a cartridge.

12. Turn the printer off and disconnect the data cable (serial or parallel). Turn the printer on, if no error appears, attempt to verify functionality by printing internal test prints (issue related to data cables).
13. If the error continues, turn the printer off and remove all SIMM's that are installed in the printer.
14. Turn the printer on.
15. If no error, turn the printer off and re-install one SIMM at a time (turn printer off, install next SIMM and turn printer on). Check for error after each SIMM is installed. Attempt to verify if specific SIMM is causing failure, if so remove and replace as needed.
16. If the error persists, replace the Carriage and Trailing Cable (refer to pages 6-37, 6-34 of the 300 Series Service Manual).
17. Following replacement, perform an Accuracy calibration as instructed below.

NOTE: It is also necessary to adjust the Carriage to Media distance using the instructions and gauge that come with the new Carriage assembly.

18. Following the calibration, turn the printer off then on and attempt to verify functionality by printing several internal prints.
19. If the issue persists, replace the Electronics module (refer to pages 6-13 of the 300 Series Service Manual).
20. Following replacement, perform an Accuracy calibration and a Color Cartridge test (instructions below).
21. Turn the printer off then on, and verify functionality by printing several internal prints.

Sensors Service test

1. Turn the printer off.
2. Close the top cover.
3. Enter Service Mode 1:
1. Hold the FORM FEED key down and turn the printer on.
2. Continue to hold the FORM FEED key until LEDs on front panel begin sequencing.
4. Press PLOT QUALITY key to initiate the sensors test.
5. The Ready LED should be on, indicating the top cover is closed.
6. Lift the top cover.
7. The Ready LED should go off.
8. If the Ready LED does not turn off, replace Front Panel Assy (refer to pages 6-12 of the 300 Series Service Manual). Attempt to verify functionality.
9. If the sensor test passes and the problem persists, replace the Carriage and Trailing Cable (refer to pages 6-37, 6-34 of the 300 Series Service Manual).
10. Perform an accuracy calibration and attempt to verify functionality. If problems persist, continue with replacing the electronics module.
11. Replace the electronics module (refer to pages 6-13 of the 300 Series Service Manual).
12. Perform an accuracy calibration (listed below) and 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 of approximately D-size (24 x 36 inches / 61 x 91 cm). 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. Set the Media Type on the front panel to Film.
5. Load the film with the matte (dull) side down, in portrait orientation.
6. 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.

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. 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.

11. Unload the sheet from the printer.
12. The accuracy calibration is now complete.
13. Verify printer functionality.

Color Cartridge test

1. Set the Media Type on the Front panel to Plain.
2. Load an 8.5 x 11 sheet in Portrait orientation.
3. Simultaneously press the FORM FEED + CONTINUE PLOTTING keys to generate the Color Cartridge test sheet.
4. When the sheet is completed, observe the straightest line patterns on the sheet.

NOTE: See the test sheet for illustration and instructions.

5. Fill in the ovals that represent the best line pattern using a pencil or black pen.
6. Reload the sheet with the print side down, so the printer can calibrate the new values selected.
7. When the sheet is unloaded, ensure that the proper values have been read by the printer (observe for check mark next to each selected oval). Repeat if necessary.

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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