MP780 not printing on "plain paper" setting

[TheRealRWJ]

Hello Guys & Dolls

Several times I found a solution here for a printerproblem I had. Thanks who ever gave the solution(s) Now I'm stuck
A while back when recession hit me too I started to use Non-Canon (cheaper) cartridges on my MP780. (Stupid!)
I used only 2 sets because I dindn't like the result and switched back to Canon Ink again.

My MP780 now refuses to print on plain paper setting. I Can't copy either.
I have to tell my MP780 There is "photo paper" in the drawer, and it prints fine on plain paper.
Yes it's only the setting
When I use the setting "Plain Paper" The printer sounds like printing but the paper comes out blank.

Any idea is welcome. Thanks in advance

RWJ

 

[ghwellsjr]

The large pigment black ink cartridge is used on plain paper which is the one that is not working now. (When you specify photo paper, it uses the thin dye ink black cartridge.) Chances are the purge system is not working for the pigment ink. (There is a separate one for the dye inks.) Here's how you can tell if your purge system is working:

Open the lid of your printer and wait until the carriage stops in the middle. Shine a light inside, off to the right where the print head parks. Find the two black pads (they look like foam rubber), the rectangular one on the left is for the pigment black ink, the square one on the right is for the dye inks. The one on the left is rather hard to see. It is easier to see if you look down through the hole next to the right-hand bracket that holds the cover up. Take a syringe or an eye dropper or a pinched straw and deposit some Windex or other window cleaner or just plain water on it until you can see the shiny surface of the liquid on the pad. Make sure the liquid remains there for a half minute or so. If it does, close the cover and wait until the sounds stop, then open it again and see if the liquid remains. It may have gone down a little bit but not be completely dry. If so, then turn off the power to your printer, turn it back on and take another look. Now it should be completely dry.

Please do this and answer the following three questions:

1) Did the liquid remain on the rectangular pad for half a minute?

2) Did most of the liquid remain on the pad after closing and opening the cover?

3) Did all the liquid get drained away after powering down and back up?

 

[TheRealRWJ]

Hi ghwellsjr,

Thanks for your swift reply. I'take a peek tomorrow after F1 in Japan and let you know ASAP.
So what if it gets drained and what if not? is this repairable?

Greetings and again Thanks in advance

RWJ

 

[ghwellsjr]

If all the answers are "yes", then you don't have a problem with your purge pump. Otherwise, almost all purge pump problems can be fixed but we don't want to go that way unless we know that's the problem.

 

[TheRealRWJ]

Hello George,

Again you're a very fast replyer,
Like you wrote on the 6th the water I dropped on the rectangular surface disappearedafter about 20-30 seconds. After the printhead parked there was no water left either, but like you said "somewhat dry" but not completely. After shutting down and restarting the pad was dry indeed.

SO,the surge pump does not seem to be the problem. What do I test/do next ...

Expecting to print black again soon ... No pressure ;-)

Greetings

Richard

 

[The Hat]

Hello George,

Again you're a very fast replyer,
Like you wrote on the 6th the water I dropped on the rectangular surface disappearedafter about 20-30 seconds. After the printhead parked there was no water left either, but like you said "somewhat dry" but not completely. After shutting down and restarting the pad was dry indeed.

SO,the surge pump does not seem to be the problem. What do I test/do next ...

Expecting to print black again soon ... No pressure ;-)

Greetings

Richard

Sorry Richard but you lost me a little bit there, what I read from your explanation is that you do have a problem
with your purge unit or am I reading it incorrectly?

 

[ghwellsjr]

Yes, I agree with The Hat. Try the test again but this time just do the first part. Put liquid on the rectangular pad and see how long it takes for it to completely drain away. It should not drain away at all.