Inkjet printer problem

My Canon Pixma iP3000 has suddenly stopped printing exactly half of the
column of black pixels. That is, I get about 6.5 mm of the total width
of 13 mm that it should print in one sweep. This is so clear cut (and
happened from one print to the next) that I don't believe it is an issue
of blocked jets. Anyway, I've done many cycles of jet cleaning, taken
the print head off and cleaned it with alcohol, all to no avail. It is
as if control to the jets on half of the black print head has been
turned off.

I wonder if anyone else has ever seen a symptom like this.

Thanks
Gib

 

What about a burned out head as that is what Bubble Jets do, a lot of
Canon printers has user replaceable print heads.

 

Yes they use a very small wire element that causes the ink to bubble, as
they use Water or Alcohol based Ink that does not help the print head to
last, I think I read some ware that 2 years was a expected life span,
but that would depend on how much its used.


This is why I stick to Epson, its a Real Ink Jet.

 

A weak solution of bleach and warm water cleans print heads far better
and easier than alcohol. Just soak the print head for a while, then dab
it lightly with some clean tissue paper to dry it. If that doesn't do
the trick, the print head is stuffed.

 

Thanks for the suggestions about possible breaks in the signal path. I
suspect I'm going to need a new print head (if that's buyable). Or a
new printer.

 

That's what I was thinking.

Thanks Tony.

 

I

"Gib Bogle" wrote in message

That's what I was thinking.

Thanks Tony.

I suggest checking out Trademe
I bought a similar model printer for $5.00 and got a working print head off
it.Then I junked the rest.

Many people auction their printer when the cartridges run out as it as
almost as cheap to by a new printer as a set of ink cartridges.
I also bought another Canon printer for $1.00 with a jammed paper feed just
for the CD tray.
I turned it over and a marble fell out. That fixed it and it is still going
strong 2 years later.

 

That thought had occurred to me.

Good score!

 

I found this:

 

I've been happy with it (never had a head clog) except for the fact that
I never managed to figure out how to access it from W7 when it was a
network printer (connected to the ADSL router).

Someone is selling an iP3000 in "excellent" condition on TradeMe for
buy-now at $45. That seems a bit high, since I don't recall it costing
much more than that new, although that was a few years ago and my memory
is getting a bit unreliable.

Here's a possible lead on the printhead problem that you might like to
comment on. Getting sick of the periodic refusal to print because the
coloured inks were empty (I use only black) I had the bright idea of
putting water in them to make them seem full. It was a week or so after
this that the problem developed. Is this coincidence or causality?

 

Thanks for that info. For my level of usage (very low) I prefer a
cheapo inkjet printer to a laser. I have just noticed that the Canon
multifunction MG2160 is selling new for about $45. Clearly it's pretty
basic, but that suits me, and I like the idea of getting a
scanner/copier. It looks like it might be a better deal than the used
iP3000. Any knowledge of this one? I need to be able to replace/refill
the black cartridge separately. Thanks again.

 

"Gib Bogle" wrote in message

I've been happy with it (never had a head clog) except for the fact that
I never managed to figure out how to access it from W7 when it was a
network printer (connected to the ADSL router).

Someone is selling an iP3000 in "excellent" condition on TradeMe for
buy-now at $45. That seems a bit high, since I don't recall it costing
much more than that new, although that was a few years ago and my memory
is getting a bit unreliable.

Here's a possible lead on the printhead problem that you might like to
comment on. Getting sick of the periodic refusal to print because the
coloured inks were empty (I use only black) I had the bright idea of
putting water in them to make them seem full. It was a week or so after
this that the problem developed. Is this coincidence or causality?

i don't know how much of a gambler you are but
http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/printers/ink-jet-bubble-jet/auction-530866944.htm

It is a IP 3000 (not functioning) $10.00 at the moment. Of course the print
head could be the problem, but ask the seller.

You will probably find that any Canon printer that uses the same ink
cartridge also has the same print head so you could possibly widen your
search

If the seller is at the other end of the country then to save shipping costs
I have several times asked the vendor to remove the part I need and throw
the rest away. Most agreed and only one was reluctant.

Seagull

 

Thanks, I didn't see that one. Getting him to send just the print head
makes sense. A gamble, for sure. As I told Tony, I'm now pondering
getting a new MG2160, mainly for the scanner/copier.

 

"Gib Bogle" wrote in message
On 10/11/2012 5:12 p.m., Tony wrote:


Thanks for that info. For my level of usage (very low) I prefer a
cheapo inkjet printer to a laser. I have just noticed that the Canon
multifunction MG2160 is selling new for about $45. Clearly it's pretty
basic, but that suits me, and I like the idea of getting a
scanner/copier. It looks like it might be a better deal than the used
iP3000. Any knowledge of this one? I need to be able to replace/refill
the black cartridge separately. Thanks again.

Be aware that Canon almost give away the more basic printer/scanners but aim
to make a fat profit on the ink.

This from NZ PC World Review

A pair of the ‘standard’ ink cartridges will set you back $68, and according
to vendor-supplied cartridge yields, will give you a per-page cost of
approximately 18 cents/page black and 38 cents/page colour. High-yield ‘XL’
ink cartridges are available for $110 per set, which offer lower print costs
of 12 cents/page black and 27 cents/page colour. Finally, an ‘XXL’ black
cartridge, available for heavy monochrome printing, lowers page cost to just
10 cents/page black.

Seagull

 

I saw that. I don't use colour at all, so it's just the cost of black I
care about. I recently made my first purchase of filled cartridges from
inkvenus.co.nz. The price for these compatibles was very good, and the
print quality is good enough for me. I need to check what they can
supply the MG2160 cartridges for......... They are out of stock of the
basic black cartridge ($30), but have the XL for $41 and the XXL for
$46. As far as I can see these are Canon cartridges, not compatibles,
unfortunately.

The box for the iP3000 compatible cartridge has a list of other Canon
printers that use it, and I can search TradeMe for these as well:
Pixma MP750, MP780, iP4000, iP4000R, iP5000.

 

And Epson heads do not burn out, I just brought a from a SH shop a
Epson R390 6 Colour's has its own Colour's screen and prints on CD's,
this had all parts as new but been in storage, for some years, I told
the dealer that the head might be clogged after being in storage for
some years, he could not get it to work, it was referring to a
cartridge problem so he offered it as is for $20, it turned out the chip
in the cartridge was stuffed, got a cheap cartridge and did a print head
test 100%, and then printed 3 pictures of the ink that was left in the
Original cartridges that came with the printer, as it comes with limited
fill cartridges, that cant buy in a shop.

I have had some 5 Epson's and its dead easy to clear a clocked head, but
you must never turn off the printer at the mains and it must be turned
on about one or 2 weeks, and then turn off.

I use a PC cleaning wipes that come folded in a pad, I don't know the
solvent that is in them but its ok for plastic, un park the print head
and place the pad on the head parking place and slide the print head
over it and leave it for a few hours, this worked on a printer that had
not been used for 5 years.

Only once I had to remove a head and soak in some kitchen cleaner, but
that was only 0.3mm deep and washed it off , replacing the head it was
easy on this model has the head mounting pined, no need for aliment,
but that was long before I had these cleaning pads.

I think you can still get these pads but no brand

Lists PC-01 and a label on the box is CT-CD742

 

A lot more than that 1500 for the basic toner and 3000 for a normal one,
the drum does not need replacing if it not marked or damaged

You can get some 500 or more pages by covering up the sense holes.


I have a HL-2040 that I got from the Tip for $2, blocked the sense holes
and reset the cartridge sense lever and it lasted for some 6 month,
found a new Toner as a OP shop for $10, I have a copy of the service
manual and its dead easy to reset the counters.

 

Hi EMB. Tell me more!

 

It's a Brother mono laser of some age. It is reputed to have had a
recent new toner, and I can vouch for it having had a new drum not
terribly many pages ago. My email address works - drop me a phone
number and I'll give you a call.