Z3200 faulty ink cartridge. Already replaced it 3 times.

[rodrigogil76]

Hi,

It all started with a print that was missing red ink, so I changed the printhead and then in the middle of the process, asks me to replace the grey cartridge, so I also replaced it, and then it asked me to change the gloss enhancer cartridge, I also changed that one but it said faulty cartridge, so I ordered a new one and two days later I insert it and it says faulty cartridge again... so I order a new one, change it and it completes the  first process (the red printhead change), but when it finishes that I get agan the faulty E cartridge message... And now I have no idea what to do next.


Hope someone can help me or recommend me someone that can help me over the phone o r email, since Im already out of warranty and have no HP service in my town.

Thanks,

[Mark Lindquist]

Hi,

It all started with a print that was missing red ink, so I changed the printhead and then in the middle of the process, asks me to replace the grey cartridge, so I also replaced it, and then it asked me to change the gloss enhancer cartridge, I also changed that one but it said faulty cartridge, so I ordered a new one and two days later I insert it and it says faulty cartridge again... so I order a new one, change it and it completes the  first process (the red printhead change), but when it finishes that I get agan the faulty E cartridge message... And now I have no idea what to do next.


Hope someone can help me or recommend me someone that can help me over the phone o r email, since Im already out of warranty and have no HP service in my town.

Thanks,

At this point, your best course of action would be to shut down - do it by the button on the front panel.  Have your hand on the power cord in the back, and when the carriage comes just right of center where you can get at everything, pull the plug.

Open the carriage and pull all your printheads out - put them in individual baggies and seal them, then put them in a larger baggy that will hold them all.  Next, pull all you carts out.  Put thm all in a large garbage bag and roll that tight and seal it.  Go outside somewhere where you don't care if you get ink on anything, then shake the bags holding the printheads and carts vigorously for as long as you can stand it - at least 15 minutes.

Go back in, look inside the carriage and clean everything you can including contacts with distilled water and material that won't leave lint or dust.  Pec pads work or coffee filter material in a pinch.  After you're sure everything is clean, go into the cartridge holder areas and clean all that - make sure everything is clean.  Press up and down on the little round pads at the bottom of the area where the carts go in.  Make sure they're all at the top.

Put the printheads all back in and close and latch the lid to the carriage.  Plug the printer back in and see if it will initialize, then ask you to put the carts back in one at a time.  Do as it asks.
Once it finishes initializing, do a printhead alignment if it hasn't already done one.  Do a diagnostic print on glossy paper and see if the printheads are all working correctly.  You need to check very carefully.

If you get this far, you're probably ok.

If not, you'll need to find out if there are error message or warning.

Good luck -

Mark

BTW - welcome to the forum.

[rodrigogil76]

First of all, thanks for your help.

I tried your process exactly, and ended up with the same error. "Ink cartridge Faulty Replace ink cartridge." and E cartridge is the one in black.

Is this really about the E cartridge or because it`s the first one?

Is my newest E cartridge marked as faulty by the printer and will not even try to use it? Because it takes less than a second to tell me after I insert it that it`s a faulty cartridge. Will buying ANOTHER one help?

I noticed that not all the black pads are at the top, photos attached.

Thanks,

[Mark Lindquist]

Try swapping older and near cartridges, turning the printer off and unplugging for several minutes.  Se if you can get it to take so that you can print out a diagnostic image on glossy paper. 

I think there's several things going on but I won't speculate without more info.

How old are the cartridges and how old are the printheads?

Man if it was me, I'd delete the printer and reinstall it will the newest software.  Sometimes that works.

If not, then possibly your firmware is corrupted.  Load new firmware.

If still a problem, enter the diagnostic menu (you'll need the service manual to understand this), and run an ISS leak test.

If it passes, you could have a problem in the PCA or Formatter board.  I always advocate pulling the formatter board (quickest and easiest thing to do), replace the battery, clean the contacts and reseat the board.  Very often these problems are solved right here.

You have to try different things - keep working at it and you'll get there if you stick with it.

Great people  on this forum - they will help too.

Best-

Mark

[Mark Lindquist]

BTW - FYI - you must have a cartridge(s) that is at least 1/2 full (per color) when you put in a new printhead so that it can properly charge the printhead.  Often printhead rejections are because of this issue.

[rodrigogil76]

Hello, my spent some time trying suggestions.

-Try swapping older and near cartridges, turning the printer off and unplugging for several minutes.  Se if you can get it to take so that you can print out a diagnostic image on glossy paper. 

DONE-no change.

-How old are the cartridges and how old are the printheads?

Mix of new and old, also some expired cartridges, that were working fine before the problem. The E cartridge is brand new, not expired.

-Man if it was me, I'd delete the printer and reinstall it will the newest software.  Sometimes that works.

I have been searching for a guide in how to do it with no luck.

-If not, then possibly your firmware is corrupted.  Load new firmware.
DONE-No change

-If still a problem, enter the diagnostic menu (you'll need the service manual to understand this), and run an ISS leak test.
DONE-Test came out OK.

If it passes, you could have a problem in the PCA or Formatter board.  I always advocate pulling the formatter board (quickest and easiest thing to do), replace the battery, clean the contacts and reseat the board.  Very often these problems are solved right here.
DONE-No change.

Thanks,

[Mark Lindquist]

OK...... can you print a diagnostic image on glossy paper?

Also, what system are you using Windows or Mac?

What version?

[Mark Lindquist]

-Man if it was me, I'd delete the printer and reinstall it will the newest software.  Sometimes that works.

I have been searching for a guide in how to do it with no luck.

Thanks,

If you are in Windows - go to printers and other devices and delete the printer.
If on Mac - go to system preferences and printers and delete the printer.

Go to HP's web site and find the place to download software for your computer:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-designjet-z3200-photo-printer-series/3737540

Change to your operating system and download the software driver - I recommend the PCL (or raster) driver

Open the software and run it.  Then if Mac, go to sys preferences and open printers, click add printer and find the driver to use for it and add it back in.

For windows basically do the same.

So essentially you delete the printer, download the new software, then add the printer back in (reinstall).
Then try that.

I think you've got some serious gremlins - it's hard from here to diagnose this one without being able to see what's going on.

Once you're back up and running - try doing the diagnostic print.

If you can, go into the event logs via your web browser - look on the front panel for your printer's address and type that into your browser.  Go to support > service support > Printer Information then when the big screen appears, go to event logs and see if you have any events or warnings.

You can poke around in there - it's very interesting.  See what you can find out.

Good luck.

Mark

[Mark Lindquist]

Another thing you should do while you're at all this is go to the right and find the parking station and clean everything you can.

We've stayed basically non-invasive with everything so far, but if something doesn't take, you may have to begin doing some invasive steps.

The next step after this would be to perform a bongo test and you would need a complete set of new carts and new printheads to do it plus setup caps.

It's a detailed, extensive procedure, so better hope something works soon.

BTW - HP recommends plugging the printer into a different wall receptacle in cases like these.  I recommend using a UPS.  You might want to change outlets and run through a UPS.

I can only help so much, given only so much time available, and I can't see your printer.

Which I could be more helpful.

-Mark 

[Pluminland]

I can only help so much, given only so much time available, and I can't see your printer.

Which I could be more helpful.

-Mark

Mark is a very helpful fellow and knows his Z3200's backwards and forwards.    He was very helpful to me when my Z3200 had problems, and though I never got it fixed (I was well over the limit in time and money I was willing to spend to get it fixed), his advice gave me a fighting chance.     I hope you have better luck.

[Mark Lindquist]

Mark is a very helpful fellow and knows his Z3200's backwards and forwards.    He was very helpful to me when my Z3200 had problems, and though I never got it fixed (I was well over the limit in time and money I was willing to spend to get it fixed), his advice gave me a fighting chance.     I hope you have better luck.

Thanks for the kind words - sorry we were unable to get you back up and running.  Do you still have your printer?  Want to give it another shot?  Sometimes walking away and coming back fresh makes a big difference.  Again, very kind of you, and sorry it's not working.

Mark

[rodrigogil76]

Thanks a lot for your support Mark.

OK...... can you print a diagnostic image on glossy paper?
I haven`t run the printer from the computer since the problem started, so far I have been doing everything from the front panel and I don`t have the option to print the diagnostic image, it keeps telling me to change the E cartridge.

Also, what system are you using Windows or Mac?
I use windows, but I have the option to use Mac.

What version?
win 10.


[/quote]

[Mark Lindquist]

Just for troubleshooting purposes,

Go ahead and power back down.  Pull the plug.  Make sure your cartridges are all seated.

Connect the printer to your Mac - make sure you have the corresponding drivers installed for the mac.

I'd prefer you went through a Network LAN switch if possible.  If not - just go straight in to the computer with a LAN cable.

Let's see if it behaves the same.

-Mark

[rodrigogil76]

Hello,

So I ordered a new cartridge, it arrived yesterday and I changed it, first ai got a cartridge replacement ok message, followed by printhead replacement incomplete. Restart it. E-G, B-GN, M-Y, LM-LC, PK-LG, MK-R Printhead replacement not completed... press OK to start replacement.
So I pressed Ok and I changed only the MK-R printhead, the one I had available, then I got the usual preparing print system screen I waited 15 minutes and then when it finished... "Replace E cartridge" same message again.

Not sure if I should buy all the printheads and a new E cartridge.
or maybe purge the printer?

All the help is much appreciated,

 

[deanwork]

All this sounds to me like the contact points inside the printer that read the chip on the ink cart are either bent, dirty, or shorted out somehow. Never had any such problems like that on a z but I have on an Epson.

Hello,

So I ordered a new cartridge, it arrived yesterday and I changed it, first ai got a cartridge replacement ok message, followed by printhead replacement incomplete. Restart it. E-G, B-GN, M-Y, LM-LC, PK-LG, MK-R Printhead replacement not completed... press OK to start replacement.
So I pressed Ok and I changed only the MK-R printhead, the one I had available, then I got the usual preparing print system screen I waited 15 minutes and then when it finished... "Replace E cartridge" same message again.

Not sure if I should buy all the printheads and a new E cartridge.
or maybe purge the printer?

All the help is much appreciated,

[Mark Lindquist]

Hello,

So I ordered a new cartridge, it arrived yesterday and I changed it, first ai got a cartridge replacement ok message, followed by printhead replacement incomplete. Restart it. E-G, B-GN, M-Y, LM-LC, PK-LG, MK-R Printhead replacement not completed... press OK to start replacement.
So I pressed Ok and I changed only the MK-R printhead, the one I had available, then I got the usual preparing print system screen I waited 15 minutes and then when it finished... "Replace E cartridge" same message again.

Not sure if I should buy all the printheads and a new E cartridge.
or maybe purge the printer?

All the help is much appreciated,

The way it is acting, I think at this point, now that you have some printheads and some cartridges out of date, and unsure of what is working and not working, really the only definitive test would be to do a bongo test.  Look in your service manual and study carefully exactly what is involved.  You would need to read the procedure several times to get a feel for what's involved, and how to carry it out to the fullest extent.  You would need a new set of inks, a new set of printheads and setup caps for the printheads.  These are the orange caps that come with the printer before printheads are installed.
The bongo test insures that all lines and ink passageways are clear and fuctioning.  Often, a machine that is working incorrectly will clear with a bongo test, or the test exposes the issue that is keeping it from initializing.  The good thing is that once it goes back working you have a fully charged machine with all good inks and printheads.  The bad thing is that there could be a possibility, however slight, that it might not work.  It's like starting from scratch and setting up the machine from start, charging it, testing it, then back to using it.
Unfortunately, not knowing now what inks, what cartridges, what printheads are working incorrectly, you are doomed to continue to guess at it until maybe something works, but at this point without this diagnostic and replacement test, it will likely continue to fail.

Obviously new inks and printheads are not cheap, and I don't know what shape your printer is in otherwise, so can't really advise.  I can tell you what my next step would be based on your feedback if I was doing it.

You can find setup caps on ebay sometimes.  Also a complete set of starter inks would work for the test if you could find those.  They are the half-size carts that come with the new printer.

-Mark

[Mark Lindquist]

By the way, have you wetted the pads in the ink capping station with distilled water?

That's an important thing to do.  And you should have claened that unit as best as possible....

[rodrigogil76]

The way it is acting, I think at this point, now that you have some printheads and some cartridges out of date, and unsure of what is working and not working, really the only definitive test would be to do a bongo test.  Look in your service manual and study carefully exactly what is involved.  You would need to read the procedure several times to get a feel for what's involved, and how to carry it out to the fullest extent.  You would need a new set of inks, a new set of printheads and setup caps for the printheads.  These are the orange caps that come with the printer before printheads are installed.
The bongo test insures that all lines and ink passageways are clear and fuctioning.  Often, a machine that is working incorrectly will clear with a bongo test, or the test exposes the issue that is keeping it from initializing.  The good thing is that once it goes back working you have a fully charged machine with all good inks and printheads.  The bad thing is that there could be a possibility, however slight, that it might not work.  It's like starting from scratch and setting up the machine from start, charging it, testing it, then back to using it.
Unfortunately, not knowing now what inks, what cartridges, what printheads are working incorrectly, you are doomed to continue to guess at it until maybe something works, but at this point without this diagnostic and replacement test, it will likely continue to fail.

Obviously new inks and printheads are not cheap, and I don't know what shape your printer is in otherwise, so can't really advise.  I can tell you what my next step would be based on your feedback if I was doing it.

You can find setup caps on ebay sometimes.  Also a complete set of starter inks would work for the test if you could find those.  They are the half-size carts that come with the new printer.

-Mark

Thanks a lot for your input. I tripled checked that contact, apparently it`s ok. Also it`s weird that when I insert a new cartridge it reads the chip as OK, it`s only after it finishes preparing the system that it marks the error.

[rodrigogil76]

New discovery, not sure if it tells anything. I ran an IDS test, and I got an OK result at the end, then I ran a Check INK supplies test and I got the following result:
F cartidge OK purge NO, Im guessing F is gloss enhancer... It`s the only one that has a NO on OK purge.

[Mark Lindquist]

New discovery, not sure if it tells anything. I ran an IDS test, and I got an OK result at the end, then I ran a Check INK supplies test and I got the following result:
F cartidge OK purge NO, Im guessing F is gloss enhancer... It`s the only one that has a NO on OK purge.

Try that test again, and watch the screen very carefully.  See if you are getting a 22.0.YZ or 22.0.1:YZ  system error.
This is critical.

If yes or no.  Turn the machine off unplug, and check that the cables between the left ink supply station and the Main PCA board are not damaged and are connected correctly.  Do the same thing to the right ink supply station.

The main thing to do is to go into your web browser from the utility and go to additional settings fourth down (4th on right) - then press
"open embedded web server"

Then choose third tab to the right "support"

Then on the left at the bottom press "service support"

Then in the middle next to the big "i" press printer information

Then press 4th tab over at the top "EVENT LOGS"

Then look to see if there are events under SYSTEM ERRORS

This is critical.  Copy ALL the system errors and the dates.

Under line, (second to last on right, just before date) there should be info there.

Standard error codes will be under the third column from the left under "ERROR CODE"

Do this and report back if you would.

-Mark