Ip4500 Stopped Printing Pgbk Ink

[Igor Gefter]

Hello,
I am a new member.
I am having a lot of problems with my ip4500. I have not used it for a few months and now back to using it. At first everything worked just fine. But now, a week later I am having issues.

I have read multiple threads on this issue and implemented all the fixes, yet no luck.

I use OEM Canon cartridges that I refill with the normal method.

After the last refill, my PGBK stopped printing entirely.

On the test print all the PGBK area is completely empty.

All the colours seem to have horizontal lines running through them. Some appear as continuous long lines, on others they appear as four vertical columns of half inch lines.

I have tried multiple cleaning cycles and deep cleaning, and it has not resolved this issue at all.

1. I have checked the purge area by FLOODING it with Windex, and the purgers are sucking every little drop of it. No problem with the purging unit.
2. I have cleaned the print head by soaking in Windex overnight. Let it dry and installed. Still no effect
3. The printer detects the levels of all the cartridges fine and not giving any error codes.

Everything that is supposed to be printed in BLACK on plain paper comes out in blue/purple colour.

What else can I do to fix this issue? Is my printhead gone?

 

[turbguy]

We really need to see a nozzle check posted here (or a link to one) to be able to respond. Verbal descriptions are not as adequate. You may not be able to post images for 24-48 after your first post here.

That said, if the missing colors indicate a "periodic" issue, then it probably is a print head failure.

Wayne

 

[Igor Gefter]

Of course. Here it is.

 

[The Hat]

I have to agree with Turbguy on this it certainly looks like you have damaged the print head
beyond repair; it is showing all the classic signs of electrical failure, burned out nozzles.

When a printer is left unused for quite some time it is much better to check the printer out
before trying to print any work on it, this is just to make sure it doesn’t need further attention first.

Normally a nozzle print would be the first option then if that is showing signs of poor output
do a standard head clean and repeat the nozzle print if still no luck then further investigation
is called for before proceeding.

It’s important not to be tempted to try printing a test print (Any document) first as this
can sometimes do the damage you are now seeing on your own nozzle printout.

The very first thing to check is the cartridges as they are supposed to supply ink to the print head
so if they can’t do that then all the testing and cleaning of the print head is futile
and will come to nothing and you’ll be back where you started with poor print output.

I know all this information is a bit late for you now because diagnosing a print problem
can be like a merry-go-round so it’s important to stay focused on the printer itself first
and not on that urgently needed print job.

It’s more than lightly that your printer actually recovered from the time out and it was in fact
the cartridges that let you down by not providing sufficient enough ink flow
to keep the print head adequately supplied.

The 4500 is well worth holding on to, it is in fact one of the best printers that Canon made,
so if at all possible source out a new print head and get it back working again,
sorry for the bad news..

 

[PeterBJ]

The totally missing pigment black and the two light cyan bands split exactly at the middle with the upper half being lighter than the lower half also makes me think the print head has failed electronically.

But I also see several clogged nozzles in the nozzle check; refilling OEM cartridges is fine as only OEM cartridges are recommended for refilling, but what is "the normal method for refilling" and what brand of ink was used? A wrong refill procedure and/or a bad refill ink might quickly ruin a new print head.

A new print head may bring the printer back to working order, but there is a risk that the print head has damaged the logic board, and a damaged logic board can damage a new print head. So replacing the print head is a gamble, and sadly I can't tell you the odds for success.

The printer was most likely equipped with the QY6-0067-000 print head, which was later replaced by the QY6-0075-000 print head. Both print heads can be used in the printer.

A simplified service manual with parts catalog is found here: http://www.gotocommerce.com/free_ma...s/data/Canon iP4500 - Service Manual {EN}.pdf

 

[Igor Gefter]

I use high quality ink from presicion colors and refill from the top, as opposed to German method.

 

[PeterBJ]

The Image Specialists inks from Precision Colors are very good inks, and the traditional top fill method is also a good refill method, so I think you have done nothing wrong.

A Canon print head, especially if old, can fail for no apparent reason. If the failure is not caused by cleaning of the print head outside the printer, your chances of success by replacing the print head are good.

If you can find a new print head for a reasonable price is another question

 

[Igor Gefter]

I did soak the print head in 1/8 inch if windex in the ball over night. Was that a possibly contribution to its failure?

 

[PeterBJ]

Soaking the print head in only 1/8" or 3mm of Windex overnight is exactly what I would recommend, as the small amount of Windex reduces the risk of liquid entering behind the ribbon cable and circuit board on the print head. I used this method with success: http://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/canon-mp540-saved-by-pharmacists-cleaning-solution.8176/

My theory is that a print head failing from old age is developing some open circuits taking out some nozzles, but not harming the logic board. Water/Windex left behind the ribbon cable or the circuit board can cause short circuit that can ruin the logic board.

I cannot give you any guarantee, but as you soaked the print head after the problems started, I think you have caused no damage, so a new print head will likely revive the printer.

 

[Igor Gefter]

The two light cyan bands split exactly at the middle were there always, even before I cleaned the printhead. Yet, it was still printing PGBK.
The loss of PGBK and other lines in colours appeared AFTER I soaked the printhead in Windex overnight.
Could I have fried the logic board?
I sis hgo ahead and ordered a refurbished print head from Hong Kong though.