Another 86:01 error code

[sharadn]

Any tips for hooking up the left side of the encoder strip? I can usually get the first hole over the locating pin without too much trouble but always have trouble getting the second hole to align with the pin. Ideas or tips?

[Kyle D Jackson]

It might be better to put the last hole on first (which basically means both at the same time I guess). Putting the first hole on first might make it impossible to get the last hole on after.

Getting someone to push in on the right-side tension bracket might help. I have 24" machines so I think I just reached across and pushed on it while attaching the strip end on the left.

[sharadn]

It might be better to put the last hole on first (which basically means both at the same time I guess). Putting the first hole on first might make it impossible to get the last hole on after.

good point!

[sharadn]

I replaced the encoder strip and it seems that the carriage knows that it is at the end of the right side but I am still getting the 86:01 error and the carriage is not being capped. When I run the scan axis calibration I get scan axis too short 1032832. When I run diagnostics on the service station it all checks out OK. I am running out of ideas here.

[degrub]

i don't know this printer, so these are WAGs.
Is there a microswitch that has to trip to allow capping function ?
Is it possible the encoder strip is mispositioned by 1 or more marks ?
Is it possible there are not the same number of marks on the new encoder strip versus the original ?
A different mark/ mark combination for the position of the service station ?

i'm going off the "scan axis too short" message.

[sharadn]

These are all good questions. I am going on the assumption that the encoder strip is the correct one. I bought it used from an individual who is considered to be an expert on these printers.

[sharadn]

I am wondering if I have the correct firmware installed: The printer shows FW version TR12 RB_14.0.1.4. When I go to the HP support page it seems that this version is for the Rev A models and I have a Rev B model. See the photos and screenshot. I would not know how to update the firmware since I cannot get the printer to initialize. It is also not on my network yet. Am I correct that the FW is wrong?

[Kyle D Jackson]

I think I've lost the big picture... Was this printer working correctly prior to the belt replacement?

[Kyle D Jackson]

Re firmware, my 24" Rev B is using TR12-RB_16.0.1.1. A while ago I downloaded v17 (TR12-RB_17_00_01-1_mvl40-x86-opt_B.fmw) but I haven't bothered to install it because "it ain't broke...", and also I was concerned it'd force to me to use one of the later crappy universal drivers.

Note Rev B firmware numbers have x.x.1.x and Rev A have x.x.0.x.

I can't imagine using v14 is a problem, especially if the printer was working fine before the belt replacement. The changes after v14 seem minor/optional. Here are the Rev B firmware release notes:

Current version: 17_00_01.1 (September 2023)
Fixes and enhancements included in version 17_00_01.1:

    Added Gen5 certificate bundles.
    Security fixes.

Fixes and enhancements included in version 16_00_00.1 (October 2016):

    Fixes related with Ink Accounting data.

Fixes and enhancements included in version 15_00_00.2 (October 2016):

    New 40ml Introductory Ink Cartridges are now supported.
    The Ink level is shown in percentage instead of ml.
    If a Non-HP cartridge is installed in the printer, the message is now "Out of warranty" instead of "See warranty".

Fixes and enhancements included in version 14_00_01.4 (May 2015):

    Enabling proofing functionality with 3rd party RIPs.
    Fixed error related with media advance and rewind.
    Added the possibility to reser the left Spitton counter.

Fixes and enhancements included in version 13_00_01.2 (January 2013):

    Increased accuracy of the ink usage measurements in the Embedded Web Server Usage page.
    Pantone library upgrade to PANTONE PLUS SERIES.

Fixes and enhancements included in version 12_00_01.6 (November 2012):

    The Total cost in the Accounting section of the Embedded Web Server is now shown even if some cost information is not introduced.
    It is now possible to enter the account ID in the preview page of the Embedded Web Server when the "Hold job for Accounting" setting is selected in the driver.

Fixes and enhancements included in previous versions:

    The name of the base media used to create a custom paper preset is now shown in the front panel of the printer when checking the custom paper preset details.
    Papers from the additional papers category will no longer be deleted after the firmware has been updated.
    The number of times that the error 81:01 can occur has been reduced.
    The message that explains to the customers how to deal with an out of ink cartridge while in the middle of a job has been localized to all languages.
    When the printer was printing a job on a sheet that had uneven edges, when the next print was on a roll of paper, the job was slow as the carriage frequently stopped. This issue has been solved.
    The option to 'Reprint last job' only worked for the internal prints, so it has been removed.
    A localization problem in Japanese that made it impossible to distinguish between different instant dry paper names has been corrected.
    Dry time settings in the front panel are now taken into account.
    Personal information has been removed from the accounting e-mail.

[sharadn]

I think I've lost the big picture... Was this printer working correctly prior to the belt replacement?

I bought it used and it was already showing an 86:01 code and had a shredded belt and clogged print heads.
Does the firmware not have to align with whether the printer is an A or B rev?

[Kyle D Jackson]

I bought it used and it was already showing an 86:01 code and had a shredded belt and clogged print heads.
Does the firmware not have to align with whether the printer is an A or B rev?

Yes, and you have Rev B firmware installed (based on the version number TR12 RB_14.0.1.4 you posted above). That it's v14 instead of something later shouldn't be a problem since they had only minor changes.

Ok the 86:01 error existing before the new belt replacement is important info. I mean it was obviously working correctly at one time in order for it to shred the belt -- ie it couldn't have had the 86:01 error before that -- so I'd expect the error arose when the belt failed. Replacing the belt and resetting things should have cleared the 86:01 error, so I don't know why you'd still be getting that.

Do you know if this printer had electronic parts replaced, such as the mainboard / formatter? Wondering because it's acting almost as if it has 24" brains transplanted into a 44" chassis...  But that's probably a little far-fetched since it's usually something simpler than that. 

Exactly where/how was the belt damaged? At the motor drive wheel? The tensioner? Pics? Just spitballing if we can figure out where/how the belt failed it might point to a cause of the failure, which might in turn point to the source of the 86:01 error.

[Kyle D Jackson]

...I re-read everything again, have some other suggestions...

With the right side cover removed you can see under/around the carriage as it moves during the startup sequence. Look for things hitting.

Carefully check under/around the paper rollers. I once had a small accordioned strip of paper under the liftable roller close to the service station that was causing issues for carriage movement.

Check that all cables/wires are firmly connected.

Check around the shaft of the belt motor to see if any of the shredded belt material or other debris has gotten wrapped around it (thinking about that "high friction" error you had earlier). Might need to remove the motor from the mounting bracket to see it fully.

Found an old thread I had saved about an 86:01 error with similar symptoms to yours -- carriage wouldn't home to the right side. The tech replaced the carriage and trailing cable and the problem "went away" (though they still got a 79 firmware error during diagnostic test, but the printer worked ok). But it would be nice to know whether the carriage/cable actually needed to be replaced or if it simply swapped out a simpler issue (debris, alignment, something...). Anyhow here's the link, but note much of it is an irrelevant rabbit hole discussion about the "voltage" numbers shown during the diag tests that don't match the numbers in the service manual, which has out-of-date errors in it (the reason I found the thread). So the only useful part of the thread are the initial symptoms and the result of the parts replacement:
https://www.copytechnet.com/forum/technical-forums/fax-printer-technical-discussion/hp/103726-designjet-z3200-86-01-error?t=105320&s=b6289f9f8e903b11564af4c27f99daad

[sharadn]

Kyle, Thank you for all your efforts on my behalf. We can go back the the beginning: I bought the printer off of a Swiss Ebay like site. You can see the original listing.https://www.ricardo.ch/de/a/plotter-hp-designjet-z3200ps-photo-1285917358/ It was used at kind of performing arts center, so it may did not get the attention it needed. I was kind of desparate to find another 44" Z3200 here in Zurich so I could print my files on the same printer that I have it the US. I sent the listing to Time Wert at LPS and he told me that the 86:01 error code was because the belt was shredded and replacing the belt would probably fix it. He sent me a new belt and print head recovery kit. I went ahead and replaced the belt. I had already done this and a few other repairs on my 44" in the US so I thougth no big deal. I have had the carriage out a number of times looking for installation errors and could not find any. I cleaned the the teeth on the scan axis motor, oiled the rail and double checked everything. It kept appearing that the problem was the encoder strip so I took it out and inspected it and found a scratch towards the right side. I then sourced a known good used encoder strip and put it in. The printer then acted differently, Previously when reaching the right side it would sit there and bounce against the end for a awhile and then throw the code. Now it seems like it knows that it is approaching the end and slightly bumps the end and then stops and throws the code. The service station never caps it when it gets to the end. I ran the service station diagnostic and it passed. The scan axis diagnostic comes up with 1032832 Scan Axis Length too short 87:11. It did show at one point that the scan axis is 44" so I doubt that there is any cross over with a 24" model. There is just something at the very end just before parking the head that the printer does not like. I cannot see anything obstructing the movement of the carriage. I wish I could watch my good one at home and see if I would spot something different. Ernst seems to think that there is friction at the service station end but I cannot find anything obvious. I will review the link that you provided to see if I get any insight. It seems to me that scan axis motor is good but I can't really tell how stiff it should be to move the gear. It is not totally loose, it does not continue to spin if you try to make it spin. I guess it would be an easy part to replace. I still have another encoder coming from China. Maybe it likes that one better, I don't know. The encoder sensor seems to work when I movde the carriage back and forth during the scan axis test and I did clean the encoder sensor when I had the carriage out last time. I also have gotten high friction error 42:10 during scan axis testing at times and not only at the right side. I don't know how to definitively test only the motor but I guess it would be good to rule it out.

[Kyle D Jackson]

I don't think it's the encoder strip since the issue is the same with 2 different strips.

You probably already saw this but check that the cutter is installed correctly. Apparently it can impede carriage movement at the right side:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03599878
I struggle to see the difference between the 2 photos, but it appears that the spring-loaded part is pushed in more in the 2nd one.

Also here is a related link for 86 and 42 errors in general, much of which you've already checked:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04581797

[Kyle D Jackson]

...I also looked at the photos for the listing (nice haul!). It looks like the belt shredded on the tensioner side, next to the carriage. This part of the belt only goes around the tensioner when the carriage is at the left end of its travel.

That might indicate a tensioner issue (similar to the spring that popped out on mine), or the belt was originally installed correctly, or it could simply be 10-yr old belt fatigue and that's just where it failed. Not super conclusive. But at least we know the belt didn't fail at the drive motor end or when the carriage is at the service station.

After it failed you can see the lower belt span (the slack/unloaded span that isn't attached to the carriage) has actually flipped over and the tensioner is running on the wrong side of the belt. And over on the drive motor end it looks like the belt is twisted vertical so it's likely walked off the drive wheel onto the motor shaft.

But of course a new belt fixes all that.

I'm curious about that cutter suggestion in that link... It seems to fit the symptoms.

[sharadn]

So far I have done all my testing without the cutter installed.

[Kyle D Jackson]

So far I have done all my testing without the cutter installed.

Ugh, so much for that idea...

Did you give LPS' idea to lower the service station out of the way a try? It sounds like they're thinking maybe it's physically interfering with the carriage there somehow.

Running out of ideas that don't involve just replacing hardware to see what happens...

[sharadn]

I considered the idea from LPS but it means much more disassembly and reassembly to do that one test and I was hoping to avoid that. I also don't see any interference with the service station and carriage. This is a difficult one.

[degrub]

another WAG to stimulate thoughts -
bushing/bearing race fouled with paper fluff, converted to lubricated crud over the years ?
floor uneven / printer unlevel such that head movement path has twist or bend in it ?
verify that the following cable / ink tubes are completely unimpeded /full extension during travel without putting load/pulling on the carriage  ?

[sharadn]

This is what the manual recommends. The items in bold I have not done.
Corrective Action:
Try the following:
􀂄Switch the Power OFF from the back of the Printer and disconnect the Power cord. Reconnect the power cord and power On the Printer.
􀂄Open the Window and check for any visible obstacles restricting the movement of the carriage. If there is a wrinkled mass of media inside the paper path, lift the Pinch wheels (using the Media Lever) and clear the obstruction.
􀂄If there is no paper jam or obstacle blocking the carriage movement perform the following:
– Clean the encoder strip.
– Check the belt assembly.
– All cables and connections between the Carriag PCA, Scan Axis Motor, and Main PCA.
– Oil the carriage rails.
􀂄Perform the Scan Axis Diagnostic Test ⇒ Page 3-6.
􀂄If the diagnostic test does not find any specific error, replace the Carriage Assembly ⇒ Page 6-100.
􀂄Replace the Belt Assembly ⇒ Page 6-115.
􀂄Replace the Scan Axis Motor ⇒ Page 6-116.
􀂄Replace the Main PCA ⇒ Page 6-161.