Pixma Pro 9500 Yellow and Magenta ink problems

[Scodge]

Hi Guys,

My Gear: Canon Pixma Pro 9500 connected to an Intel Mac Pro Tower

New member, first post. I'm an old hat at printing, but new to refilling cartridges. I'm still using OEM cartridges now, but after some reading here, I plan to change that. Anyway, here's my problem:

Suddenly, my Canon Pixma Pro 9500 is not printing correctly. I first noticed the problem when I tried to make borderless prints of any size. About 1.5" from the leading and trailing edges, I had a band about 1" wide of lighter printing. There was image there, but it was noticeably lighter then the rest of the print. I updated the driver from Canon to the most recent one, and tried again. No change. I did a test print for clogged nozzles, and to my surprise, the yellow rectangle and the magenta rectangle were printed in half. I would love to post an image, but the system won't let me because I'm new.

I've tried cleaning the heads, deep cleaning the heads, and running an alignment, which gave me an error 2500.

I then tried to manually align the heads and got an error 9200.

This doesn't seem like a mechanical problem to me, it seems like a software problem, and Canon has been no help, other then telling me to remove the ink tanks and the print head, then put them all back. That didn't do anything at all. I've replaced the yellow and magenta tanks since the problem started, along with a few others that were running low. I'm reluctant to replace the print head, because it's a pretty pricey item and it may not be the issue. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[stratman]

This most likely is NOT a software issue. The following was gleaned from a Pro9000 Service Manual found using Google. See if you can find the Service Manual for your printer.

Failed in automatic print head alignment. [2500]

ERROR: Auto head align has failed. Press [OK] and repeat operation. <See manual>

SOLUTION: Press the OK button.
- If paper is being fed at error occurrence, the error is indicated after the paper is ejected.
- If the error occurs, the print head alignment values are not changed.
- After exit from the error by the Stop/Reset button, the automatic print head alignment will not be re-done.

REMARKS: The error is indicated when the pattern is not printed due to no ink or non-ejection of ink, or when the sensor's AD value is incorrect.

----------------------------

ERROR: Carriage board error [9100 / 9200 / 9201]
SOLUTION: - Replace Carriage unit (QM2-2967)
and/or
- Replace Logic board ass'y (QM2-3180)*1

*1: Before replacement of the logic board ass'y, check the ink absorber counter value (by EEPROM information print). If the counter value is 7% or more, also replace the ink absorber kit (QY5-0165) when replacing the logic board ass'y.

Hopefully others can give you a suggestion based on experience with this error code that does not require potentially expensive repairs.

BTW, I see the Pro9000 MkII's on Craigslist new in the box in my area going for $150.

 

[Scodge]

OK, here we go. This is the test print I got from the printer before I tried the alignment and got the error codes. Note the discoloration of the black bands on the left and the perfect Half printing in the magenta and yellow rectangles. Also, the faded bottom half rectangle in the green box. Are you suggesting I buy a 9000 mk2 for parts, or is it a superior printer to my 9500 mk1?

 

[ghwellsjr]

This is almost certainly an electrical problem in the printhead and usually can only be fixed by replacing the printhead. Whenever you see a regular pattern of non-functioning nozzle, like the bottom half of your G, M and Y, it cannot be a software problem or even a mechanical problem with regard to the flow of ink. On rare occasions it can be caused by a weak electrical connection between the back of the printhead and the carriage and that's why Canon told you to remove the printhead and replace it but since that didn't do anything, it looks like a new printhead is the only option you have left. Even that is not guaranteed because the problem could be external to the printhead but almost always it will solve the problem.

 

[Grandad35]

Try attaching a "post-it" to the back of the trailing edge of the paper on the right edge. This will trick the printer into thinking that there is more paper and delay its shifting into the "end of paper" printing mode. This will often mask a problem at the end of the paper caused by non-functioning nozzles. Unfortunately, you will still be missing half of your G/M/Y and your colors will be off on the entire print (they already are, but you probably haven't noticed it yet because of the problem at the bottom of the paper).

I concur with ghwellsjr about the cause of the problem. Is the printer still under warranty? Since you are using OEM carts, Canon will replace the printhead for free if it is under warranty.

 

[The Hat]

Scodge
OK, here we go. This is the test print I got from the printer before I tried the alignment and got the error codes. Note the discoloration of the black bands on the left and the perfect Half printing in the magenta and yellow rectangles. Also, the faded bottom half rectangle in the green box. Are you suggesting I buy a 9000 mk2 for parts, or is it a superior printer to my 9500 mk1?

I will have to go along with ghwellsjrs opinion on this; it looks very much like an electrical problem effecting the right bank of nozzles on your print head, only the red is functioning properly.

A new print head would be more than the printer is worth so getting a replacement printer is more advisable.
Try craigslist as stratman suggested but for a 9500 mark ll instead, youll get it for a song on there..

 

[stratman]

Are you suggesting I buy a 9000 mk2 for parts, or is it a superior printer to my 9500 mk1?

No. There weren't any 9500's offered on Craiglist in my area and I was suggesting the 9000 MkII as a lower cost alternative since you seemed to be hesitant to buy a new print head.

Since I am already posting I'll add an echo to the other's and say I concur with the trinity of ghwellsjr, Grandad35, and The Hat on diagnosis and suggested solutions since the publication of your nozzle check.

 

[Scodge]

Hmmm, that's disappointing news. I'll have to see what I can come up with. Thanks for your help, guys.