Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer

zakezuke wrote:
> >My Canon Pixma ip4000 printer: I haven't used it in months, and barely
> >used it all before then, but just 2 weeks after my warranty ran out it
> >has decided to stop working. When power is turned on, the printer head
> >refuses to snap-to the center; it behaves as if it's locked or a pulley
> >(rubber band?) isn't working. The power light flashes alternatively
> >orange and green (which, according to the manual indicates a possible
> >"repair shop" problem.)
>
> Firstly how many times does it blink. If it's something like 7 times
> than it's a waste tank full error.

It blinks orange-green-orange-green, etc.

Shnaggletooth
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

> > Firstly how many times does it blink. If it's something like 7 times
> > than it's a waste tank full error.

> It blinks orange-green-orange-green, etc.

http://knightcrawler.filefront.com/

Burried in there is the service manual, which does contain the blink
codes. But if it never stops, that's a "rom error". I've not even
met the rom or the system board personaly, but even if I have and I
could say it was socketed, I wouldn't know where to get the rom in file
form nor does the average person have a ROM burner.. with the exception
of their motherboard.

The blink codes are also listed on this site
http://www.dvdadvdr.com/forums/archive/topic/48370-1.html

To double check you "could" try going into service mode via the
following procedure, with the USB cord disconnected in the unlikely
event there is an issue with the PC's usb.


------------------
I. Make sure the printer is off but is plugged in

II. Hold down [RESUME] (Triangle pointed down) and hold down [POWER]
and wait 5 seconds or so.

Release [RESUME] but Continue to hold [POWER]. Double click [RESUME].
then Release [POWER].

Press [RESUME], than [POWER]. This should cause the printer to print a
simple diagnostic that'll list it's ROM number and list CDR SENSOR=OK
in red for the last line.
Press [RESUME] twice then [POWER]] to print off the second diagnostic.
Press [POWER] by it self to exit service mode and return to being a
printer.
------------------------------------------------------------

This should isolate whether the printer is not printing because it
doesn't want to, or isn't printing because something is wrong. Odds
are it's the logic board, or a connection to the logic board if you
can't get the sucker into service mode at all, or can get into service
mode and it won't print the diagnostics. If you can, odds are you have
a diaper full condition.

If you are curious about worst case scenero, you can ask about
"QM2-1548" the main logic board. How much it costs to replace, or how
much it costs to get. But odds are if you do have a failed logic board
that looking for a used ip4000 with a bum head, and using your head is
a viable solution. Or, buying another printer, cleaning up your print
head, and selling it on e-bay. I don't know if this is your problem,
but given the ip4000 sells for $100 to $150 on closeout sites, and a
new ip4200 runs about $80... if your printer is toast parting out and
buying a new is often most cost effective, and does someone a favor.
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

I wasn't able to get it into Service mode. Thanks for the advice,
though. Looks like a brand-new printer -- but I think I'm going to
avoid Canon.

Shnaggletooth
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

> I wasn't able to get it into Service mode. Thanks for the advice,
> though. Looks like a brand-new printer -- but I think I'm going to
> avoid Canon.

Canon is actually typicaly pretty good, and the ip4000 is no lame duck.
You got a bum one that had an issue 2 weeks after the warranty
expired, but I know countless people who have units running 2 to 3
years from the origional purchace. And they are worth a pretty penny
dead. People want heads, parts, and to keep their unit in service.

Also troubleshooting via usenet is not the most reliable means of
diagonisis. For all I know you just need to slap the printer to get it
to resume normal operation. If you are going to chuck it anyway, might
as well kick it.

But if you want to consider something other than canon, i'd look at the
hp 8250. Sub $150, does employ seperate ink tanks and does have a
seperate head. If it wasn't for CD printing, and ease of refilling,
i'd probally still be buying HPs..
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

> :O) I never thought I'd see the day.

Measkekite offers the following useful advice

1. Kirkland Costco paper is cheap and pretty good
2. Call tech support - read the manual
3. Buying OEM is less trouble
4. Krylon uv-resistant clear acrylic spray or Aaron Bros spray to
water proof your prints.

All of these are true useful things to say, easy to miss in a flood of
450 messages per month.
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

shnaggletooth.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com wrote:
>zakezuke wrote:
>> >My Canon Pixma ip4000 printer: I haven't used it in months, and barely
>> >used it all before then, but just 2 weeks after my warranty ran out it
>> >has decided to stop working. When power is turned on, the printer head
>> >refuses to snap-to the center; it behaves as if it's locked or a pulley
>> >(rubber band?) isn't working. The power light flashes alternatively
>> >orange and green (which, according to the manual indicates a possible
>> >"repair shop" problem.)
>>
>> Firstly how many times does it blink. If it's something like 7 times
>> than it's a waste tank full error.
>
>It blinks orange-green-orange-green, etc.
>
>Shnaggletooth

Before you throw it away, can you confirm that the alternating blinking light
never pauses and then starts again? If it does pause briefly, then you need to
count the number of iterations between pauses. That will provide a more
accurate diagnosis.
Tony
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

shnaggletooth.DeleteThis@yahoo.com wrote:

>zakezuke wrote:
>
>
>>>My Canon Pixma ip4000 printer: I haven't used it in months, and barely
>>>used it all before then, but just 2 weeks after my warranty ran out it
>>>has decided to stop working. When power is turned on, the printer head
>>>refuses to snap-to the center; it behaves as if it's locked or a pulley
>>>(rubber band?) isn't working. The power light flashes alternatively
>>>orange and green (which, according to the manual indicates a possible
>>>"repair shop" problem.)
>>>
>>>
>>Firstly how many times does it blink. If it's something like 7 times
>>than it's a waste tank full error.
>>
>>
>
>It blinks orange-green-orange-green, etc.
>
>Shnaggletooth
>
>
BEWARE OF THE ADVICE YOU GET ON THIS NG/. THERE ARE MANY HACKERS HERE
THAT THINK THEY KNOW. IF YOU CALL CANON TECH SUPPT THEY WILL AT LEAST
TELL YOU WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND MAY GIVE YOU A CLUE ON HOW TO FIX IT.
IF IT IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY SOMETIMES THEY WILL SEND YOU A REFURB
IFYOU USE CANON OEM INK.
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

zakezuke wrote:
>
> > :O) I never thought I'd see the day.
>
> Measkekite offers the following useful advice
>
> 1. Kirkland Costco paper is cheap and pretty good
> 2. Call tech support - read the manual
> 3. Buying OEM is less trouble
> 4. Krylon uv-resistant clear acrylic spray or Aaron Bros spray to
> water proof your prints.
>
> All of these are true useful things to say, easy to miss in a flood of
> 450 messages per month.

:O)
--
Paul (Take my hand, I'm standing right here)
-------------------------------------------------------
Stop and Look
http://www.geocities.com/dreamst8me/
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

It will blink short blinks orange-green-orange-green a total of 12x
(ie. the orange blinks short blinks 12x). Then there will be a longer
green blink. Then another 12x alternating, and so on.

(I should have also mentioned: The printer is no longer hooked up to a
USB into my computer; I'm trying to get it into service mode and
diagnose it separated from my system.)

Shnaggletooth
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

I called them right now. They're going to send me a replacement. I'm
surprised, because the warranty has expired by a couple of weeks.

Shnaggletooth
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

> > I called them right now. They're going to send me a replacement. I'm
>> surprised, because the warranty has expired by a couple of weeks.
> > Shnaggletooth

> But, as has been pointed out, some things should last longer than
> guarantee time, such as cookers, televisions and three piece suites.
> Your problem appears to be with the operating system of the printer
> which are not replaceable by you and should last longer than the
> consumable parts.

12 times is AP position error [6A00] never ending blinking is a rom
problem.
So it's complaining about either the sheet feeder or the logic board,
or a wire connection between the two units. I imagine sucking up
something into it would also result in this condition.

But canon shipped a replacement... cool. And given the nature of the
error it should be a new one, with new ink, and a new head. Bonus. I
wish mine would screwup that badly, but unfortunatly it's just too damn
reliable.
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

They said something about me having to take out the printing head of
the old one when the replacement arrives (I wasn't clear on exactly
what that meant, or maybe I misheard). That might mean they're shipping
a 4000 unit that doesn't have a head. But they'll be shipping it
Thurs., so I'll be able to relate the conclusion soon.

Shnaggletooth
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer 

> They said something about me having to take out the printing head of
> the old one when the replacement arrives (I wasn't clear on exactly
> what that meant, or maybe I misheard). That might mean they're shipping
> a 4000 unit that doesn't have a head. But they'll be shipping it
> Thurs., so I'll be able to relate the conclusion soon.

You should phone them back asap, and explain you can't remove your old
head.
This leads to a new printer with a new head and new ink, and unless you
take a hacksaw to your printer, you in all honesty can't remove the old
head.

The alternative is phoning them when you get the referbished version
and telling them you can't remove the old head, and waiting a couple of
days for a new one, but odds are you wouldn't get the free ink. This
is assuming they will honor the warranty, which it looks like they may.
 >> Stay informed about: Problem with Canon Pixma ip4000 printer