Which iP4500 should I keep?

[Paul Verizzo]

Other than a one, brief foray into Epson, I've been using Canon printers since the late 1990's. Some ancient ones, an S620? Anyway, moved on to the iPXXXX Pixma series, from way low model numbers (iP2000-ish?) to the iP4500. I also have a Canon PRO-100 when I want large or better photo prints. Several years ago that first 4500 suddenly stopped printing anything black. Not the cartridge or head; seems to be internal. I bought another 4500 on eBay, it's done great for three, four years. And then, suddenly, I'm getting the power/orange flashes that say I have big problems. This happened after two printing attempts that resulted in jammed paper feeds. When I tried to print for the third time, I got a 12 cycle power/orange flash. S**t!


Per the iP4500 Service manual, it says that it can be "the AP position sensor," or, the "PG position sensor." Suggested repairs include the Sheet Feed Unit, the Logic Board, and the Purge Unit. Greek to me.


The original, first unit works perfectly.....except it will not print black despite a known good print head. I presume something in the logic board or circuitry.


The good news is that I found a brand new in box iP4500 on eBay for $270, total. Way above original price (Around $100?) but research on Amazon and eBay shows that the iP4500 and iP4600 are commanding prices way above original. People are buying iP4600's on Amazon for $500! This series is da bomb! Four color cartridges, one large pigment for office printing, easily refillable.


My bottom line question is, should I keep either of these older 4500's for parts? I'm leaning to the one with error codes that may be fixable vs. not printing black.


Your thoughts will be appreciated

 

[stratman]

Not enough information. So much to unpack.

You do not know why Black is not printing. First thing is print a nozzle check, scan, crop and post here.

We do not know what you mean by "Black" the Pigment Black cartridge with Plain Paper or Composite Black made by the other color cartridges. If it is the Pigment Black ink not printing then the first thing to do is try a new, never used Pigment Black cartridge. If still zero Black then test your Purge System by flooding the purge pads with water or isopropyl alcohol. This test make diagnose a detached purge system tube that can be reattached and the printer brought back online (barring clogs and the laborious task of taking apart the printer and then put it back together again)

Workaround is to use a Photo Paper setting which bypasses the Pigment Black cartridge and uses all the other colors to make a composite Black. Not as deep a Black, as sharp a font ,or water resistant but you can print documents on plain paper (and colors still work).

it will not print black despite a known good print head.

Explain please.

I got a 12 cycle power/orange flash. S**t!


Per the iP4500 Service manual, it says that it can be "the AP position sensor," or, the "PG position sensor." Suggested repairs include the Sheet Feed Unit, the Logic Board, and the Purge Unit. Greek to me.

Possible fix:

http://cityinfrastructure.com/singl...6A00<br />Printer Repair&d=CanonPrinterRepair

Read the link embedded in the word "here" in the third paragraph, too.


@The Hat has discussed this error and a potential fix as well:

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/canon-error-6a00-and-5c10.5849/

As for which printer to keep... six of one, half a dozen of the other. Or, both to make sure you have a whole printer between the two.

While the 4500 made beautiful pictures, and since you have a Pro 100 for beautiful prints, the Maxify line is the better choice for all else, IMO, and can be refilled with less expensive genuine bulk OEM Canon ink made for their MegaTank printers. Or aftermarket pigment inks for least expensive. And there are parts/print heads available. Your choice.

 

[Paul Verizzo]

Not enough information. So much to unpack.

You do not know why Black is not printing. First thing is print a nozzle check, scan, crop and post here.

We do not know what you mean by "Black" the Pigment Black cartridge with Plain Paper or Composite Black made by the other color cartridges. If it is the Pigment Black ink not printing then the first thing to do is try a new, never used Pigment Black cartridge. If still zero Black then test your Purge System by flooding the purge pads with water or isopropyl alcohol. This test make diagnose a detached purge system tube that can be reattached and the printer brought back online (barring clogs and the laborious task of taking apart the printer and then put it back together again)

Workaround is to use a Photo Paper setting which bypasses the Pigment Black cartridge and uses all the other colors to make a composite Black. Not as deep a Black, as sharp a font ,or water resistant but you can print documents on plain paper (and colors still work).


Explain please.


Possible fix:

http://cityinfrastructure.com/single.php?o=Image&t=Canon Error Code 6A00<br />Printer Repair&d=CanonPrinterRepair

Read the link embedded in the word "here" in the third paragraph, too.


@The Hat has discussed this error and a potential fix as well:

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/canon-error-6a00-and-5c10.5849/

As for which printer to keep... six of one, half a dozen of the other. Or, both to make sure you have a whole printer between the two.

While the 4500 made beautiful pictures, and since you have a Pro 100 for beautiful prints, the Maxify line is the better choice for all else, IMO, and can be refilled with less expensive genuine bulk OEM Canon ink made for their MegaTank printers. Or aftermarket pigment inks for least expensive. And there are parts/print heads available. Your choice.

Many thanks for your thoughts! The reason I know the print head is good is that it worked fine until the feed issue and subsequent alternating flashing lights.

I have never, ever had on on-screen error code on any Canon printer I've ever used. Only assorted flashing light codes.

I have no knowledge about the Maxify line, only that I've heard of it. With a just arrived brand new iP4500 and my PRO-100, I'm set for some years. I hope.

 

[Artur5]

Take into account that the Achiles heel of the IP4500, or any other 'elderly' Pixma, is that there're no genuine new printheads available; only refurbished units from China ( that you shouldn't even consider).
Let's hope that the printhead of that newer IP4500 will last a long, long time.

 

[stratman]

The reason I know the print head is good is that it worked fine until the feed issue and subsequent alternating flashing lights.

It may or may not be a feed issue. It cannot be determined 100% that your print head is not affected from what you have posted. Most likely the print head is fine but it is only my guess. It may be the only way you will know the functional status of the print head is to try it in your new printer.

However, there is a rare occurrence of print head electrical failures propagating to the logic assay board and vice versa. This means that if the old print head has an electrical malfunction it could affect the new printer's logic assay board and then you are screwed. I would only try that old print head when the new one fails.

Flush and soak the old print head as if cleaning for a clog, let dry, and then gently inject with Pharmacists Conditioning Solution and store in a sealed zip lock bag, sort of creating similar conditions of a new print head still in it's wrapper from Canon.

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/pharmacists-formula.11213/#post-94351

Enjoy your new iP4500! One heckava printer from the good old days. Not many can say they just installed a new one.

 

[maximilian59]

Don’t give up the one flashing twelve times. Carefully check for paper parts, especially at the purge unit. Check whether you can move the parking station. This area is spring loaded ans should move up and down an sometimes even sidewords. Take away the side panels ans check for free movement of all the parts.
Does the printhead move when you power up? Sometimes a paper jam leads to a state where the printer logic can’t detect the situation. Especially when the toothed wheels turned to a not foreseen position.
When you turn the white wheel on the left side you should see the purging unit moving. Compare your both printers carefully, whether they do the same and everything looks the same.
For all of this at least the side panels should be removed.
For searching paper rests a UV lamp is very good, because standard paper is normally very high loaded with optical brighteners.
Cheers,
Maximilian

 

[stratman]

For searching paper rests a UV lamp is very good, because standard paper is normally very high loaded with optical brighteners.

Super idea!