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 CP Series Printers - Solving Image Quality Issues

	Parts required (part numbers are subject to change)
	Troubleshooting steps
	Perform a D01 Electronics Test
	D03 Carriage Axis (Y-axis)
	D04 Media Axis test
	Performing Service Calibrations or Service Diagnostic Tests

Document number: BPP90111

Last updated: 14-Jan-2003

Minimum skill level: 2

When a print quality problem appears, print the Image Quality Print (IQ Print) to help diagnose the problem. The IQ Print will help differentiate among possible printhead errors and other problems such as unsupported media, environmental issues, incorrect front-panel selection, driver or RIP configuration, or mechanical problems. 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 - C4703A, C4704A, C6085A	Models - C4723A, C4724A, C6084A
Ink systems (Optional) Send/replace only failing ink system(s)	Black C1806A Dye C1892A UV Cyan C1807A Dye C1893A UV Magenta C1808A Dye C1894A UV Yellow C1809A Dye C1895A UV	Black C1806A Dye C1892A UV Cyan C1807A Dye C1893A UV Magenta C1808A Dye C1894A UV Yellow C1809A Dye C1895A UV
Carriage kit (Required)	C4723-60096	C4723-60096
Trailing cable (Required)	C4704-60015	C4723-60237
Oil Applicator for carriage rod (Required)	C6071-60177	C6071-60177
Firmware (Required)	C4723-69294	C4723-69294
Encoder strip (Required)	C4704-60224	C4723-60232
Y-Axis motor assembly (Required)	C4723-60277	C4723-60277
Lens covers (Required)	C4704-60117	C4704-60117
Overdrive assembly (Required)	C4704-60213 (ESA serial number) C4704-60281 (ESB and above)	C4723-60234

NOTE: If Removal and Installation instructions are needed for reference during any repairs performed, refer to the CP Series Service Manual available on the Computer 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. Verify the media being used is Hewlett-Packard media or media approved by Hewlett-Packard.
2. Perform a Media Qualification to verify the correct media setting is being used for the loaded media.
3. Check the environmental operating conditions (temperature and humidity affect output quality).
4. Try to reproduce the customer issue by printing using their original settings.
5. Print an Image Quality (IQ) Print (Utilities, Service Tests, Image Quality, and then press Enter).
6. Set the Printhead Service Check frequency to one page (Image Quality, Printhead Service, Printheads Check = Frequency/Frequency = 1 page.
7. Set the Print Mode to Best.
8. Set the Dry Time to Automatic.
9. Select the correct media type when loading media.
10. Set the Close Loop Color Calibration to ON (Image Quality, Color Calib).
11. Run a Printhead Alignment (Image Quality, Printhead Service, Align Now).
12. Print the IQ Print again.
13. If no problem appears on the IQ print, attempt to verify functionality with the new printer settings.
14. If the problem re-appears, clean the electrical contacts on the carriage and printheads using a lint free cloth dampened with water.
15. Check the encoder strip for contamination or damage, clean or replace as needed (refer to page 8-32 of the Service Manual).

WARNING: Be careful when working around the encoder strip as the edges are very sharp and can cause injury.

16. Reinstall the printheads and run a Printhead Recovery (Utilities, Service Tests, Recover Printheads).
17. Perform the IQ print again.
18. If the problem persists, check the current firmware revision on the printer (Utilities, Statistics, Code Rev = A.xx.xx).
19. If firmware is A.04.05 or lower, upgrade the firmware.
20. If the problem persists, continue with the next section.

Perform a D01 Electronics Test

1. Enter the Diagnostic tests submenu (instructions listed below).
2. Scroll to D01 Electronics Test and press Enter.
3. If the test passes, the message "D0100 OK" will appear on the front panel. Attempt to verify functionality.
4. If test fails, one of the following messages will appear:
1. D0101 Fail, D0102 Fail, or D0103 Fail - Replace Electronics Module (not expected). Refer to page 8-6 of the Service Manual.
2. D0104 Fail - Replace Hard Disk Drive (not expected). Refer to page 8-12 of the Service Manual.
3. D0105 Fail - Replace Carriage and Trailing Cable (refer to pages. 8-36, 8-42 of the Service Manual).
4. D0106 Fail - Perform a Printhead Continuity test (listed below).
5. Following a carriage and trailing cable replacement, perform Service Calibrations C01, C02, C03, C05, C06, C07 (2500/3500 only), and C08 (instructions listed below).
6. If the test passes, or problems persist following replacement continue with the remaining sections.

D03 Carriage Axis (Y-axis)

1. Enter the Diagnostic menu (instructions listed below).
2. Open the top cover.
3. Scroll to D03 Carriage Axis and press Enter.
4. The carriage should begin to move across the Y-axis.
5. Listen and watch for signs of carriage friction or problems with the Y-motor.
6. If excess friction is observed along the carriage rails, lubricate the carriage rails, and repeat the carriage Axis test.
7. If the test fails, lubricate the carriage rails again and re-run the test.
8. If the test fails for the second time, or a problem with carriage movement is detected, replace the Y-axis motor (refer to page 8-45 of the Service Manual).
9. Following Y-motor replacement, perform Service Calibrations C01, C02, C03, C05, C06, C07 (2500/3500 only), and C08. Attempt to verify functionality.
10. If the test passes or problems persist following replacement of parts, continue with the remaining sections.

D04 Media Axis test

1. Enter the Diagnostic menu (instructions listed below).
2. Scroll to D04 Media Axis and press Enter.
3. If the test passes, the message "D0400 OK" will appear on the front panel. If this message appears, turn the printer off, then on and attempt to verify printer functionality.
4. If a "D0401 Fail," "D0402 Fail," or "D0403 Fail" message appears, replace the X-axis motor (refer to page 8-66 of the Service Manual). Following replacement, perform an accuracy calibration (C08) and attempt to verify functionality. If problems persist, continue with the next section.
5. If a "D0404 Fail" message appears, a problem with the mark encoder has been detected.
6. Clean the mark encoder on the platen roller.
7. Replace the lens cover on the carriage assembly.
8. Perform the Media Axis test again.
9. If the test passes, attempt to verify functionality.
10. If the test fails again, replace the carriage and trailing cable (refer to pages 8-36, 8-42 of the Service Manual).
11. Following replacement, perform Service Calibrations C01, C02, C03, C05, C06, C07 (2500/3500 only), and C08 (instructions listed below).
12. Attempt to verify printer functionality.
13. If problems persist, check/replace the overdrive assembly (refer to page 8-69, 8-72 of the Service Manual).
14. Verify functionality.

Performing Service Calibrations or Service Diagnostic Tests

Following each calibration, turn the printer off to store the new calibration values in the EEROM. Turn the printer on (entering Service mode) and perform the next required calibration. Repeat this cycle until all necessary calibrations have been performed.

1. Make sure the printer is turned off from the power switch on the back of the printer.
2. Hold the Up Arrow key and the Enter key down while turning the printer on.

NOTE: Continue to press both the Up Arrow key and the Enter keys until letters begin to scroll on the lower right corner of the front-panel display.

3. Once the message "Status/Ready" is displayed on the front panel, press Enter.
4. Use the Arrow keys to scroll to Utilities and press Enter.
5. Scroll to Service Tests and press Enter.
6. Scroll to Service Calibrations or Diagnostics and press Enter.
7. Use the Arrow keys to scroll through the specific calibrations or Diagnostic tests and press Enter when the required calibration/test is displayed.

NOTE: For the best results when performing the Accuracy calibration, use a Polyester Matte film. If Polyester Matte film is not available, use HP High Gloss or Heavy Coated media.

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.

	Web computercareonline.com