MPC600F- printhead problem

[spacecadet]

I have a problem with black print which I'm led to believe that isn't due to clogging. Text is acceptable but photos not. I am not permitted to post images but the problem is regular banding. Half the black head prints satisfactorily, half is very light.
If it is a head problem, would I be able to do anything if I were to dismantle it? It's discontinued but I hate to throw it away.

 

[PeterBJ]

There is a 24 hour waiting period before new members are allowed to upload images and post links, so you are now allowed to use these features. Instructions for uploading images are here: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=107#p107

But from your description it looks like the printhead has developed an electric fault. If that is the case, only a new printhead will help. Clogged nozzles show a more random distribution, a regular pattern means an electric fault.

Does your nozzle check look like this, but with the problem in photo black instead of light cyan? http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6747 . In that case the problem was solved by installing a new printhead.

If a new printhead is not obtainable, I think nothing can be done to get the printer back in business . There is however a very small chance that the problems are caused by bad contact between the printhead and the printhead carriage. You could try cleaning the contacts on the back of the printhead and the contacts in the printhead carriage with Q-tips moistened with isopropyl alcohol or an electronics contact cleaner.

 

[spacecadet]

Thanks for the reply, I still can't post images, but yes, that is what the problem looks like, with a regular 'picket fence' nozzle check pattern.
When there is ink on the nozzle array it just looks like half the nozzles are spraying ink and half not.
I have the printer stripped down at the moment and there's nothing apparently wrong with its wiring so it looks like I've had it. Porbably won't be getting a refurbed head from Kong Kong. Shame.
The thing is, the problem came out of the blue. I hadn't abused it by running it dry or naything like that.
No mileage in dismantling the head then?
Thanks again.

 

[PeterBJ]

Sadly Canon printheads can fail for no apparent reason, especially after many years of service. So I don't think it is your fault. A clogged printhead may be unclogged, but I know of no ways a printhead that has failed electrically can be repaired. Taking the printhead apart will not help.

The exactly half of nozzles for one color failing is a typical symptom of electrical failure.

I wonder why you cannot post images after 24 hours, maybe the forum rules have been changed? I will have to find out, I don't like unknowingly giving wrong advice. Could one of the admins please tell the rules for posting links and uploading images for new members?

 

[spacecadet]

Ha! it must be 48 hours.
I'll be keeping it for text. Maybe there's a junker somewhere. Any second-hand printer/scanner/copier recommendations?
I'm grateful.

 

[PeterBJ]

Your uploaded image shows a typical electrical failure of the printhead

But I wonder. The uploaded picture shows nozzle check for pigment black(?), which is used for text printing on plain paper. The dye black (photo black) is used for printing photos. Does the MPC600F nozzle check show grid patterns for all cartridges? See this for an example of an old style nozzle check: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6890 Could you upload a complete nozzle check?

 

[spacecadet]

I don't use colour ink and there isn't a separate photo black cartridge, just three colours and black.

 

[turbguy]

You said that photos were not acceptable, AND that you don't use color ink. That's not possible and is confusing me.

The large black cart is a pigment ink cart (the three color carts are dye inks). The Black Pigment ink is only used for text printing on plain paper. It is a more durable ink for that purpose. It is never used for photos. And you said text printing is acceptable. Again, confusing...

Can you please scan the remaining nozzle test print and post it?

Wayne

 

[spacecadet]

I print photographs in greyscale and do not even have colour cartridges installed as you can see

The type is show-through from the other side as I reuse paper.

 

[turbguy]

Your printer will then be the first Canon I've heard of that uses pigment ink for photos, even greyscale. Typically the printer driver mixes the colors to print grey in photos.

BUT, operating the printer without color carts will cause the color nozzles to overheat and burn out with no ink to cool the printhead during cleaning cycles, even if you never print colors.

Wayne