Epson 9890 No Matte Black Ink on In Swap

[chaddro]

Hi All,

I'm having a problem with my Epson 9890. When I do an ink swap to Matte Black Ink, I am getting no ink... literally nothing. I replaced the selector unit hoping this would solve the problem, but still the same issue.

Has anyone experienced this, and how did you solve it?

I don't use the Matte Black often. I had a large project about 3 months ago and had some trouble getting the Matte Black to show but it eventually came around. A couple weeks ago I tried to switch to Matte Black and nothing. Way too many cleaning cycles to try to get it. Nothing.

Same issue with the new Selector Unit. I am thinking I have a clog in the ink lines? I've also tried different Matte Black Cartridges to no avail.

Hoping for some suggestions on how to fix this problem.

Thank you in advance.

[dgberg]

Hope you did not cook your head. 2 cleanings back to back 3 max. The cleaning process on the piezo head creates heat and excessive heat can kill the head. Needs ink flow to keep things cool.
It sounds like an ink line clog. You can get empty carts from Ink Owl or Jon Cone and fill with their pigment ink cleaning fluid and try a flush. Uses a ton of ink unless you have a way to do the pairs flush. Not sure if that is an option on the older models.

[chaddro]

Following up.

I replaced the selector unit, but this was probably not the issue. The Matte Black ink line is EMPTY. I even removed the ink line from the back of the cartridge bay to verify the matte ink line was not clogged (very messy and not recommended!).

So then I figured it was my ink cartridge that went bad somehow and bought a replacement. Needed to do an INIT FILL because so much ink drained out the back, and that went okay except I STILL have an EMPTY matte black ink line.

All other channel are good. Any Ideas? I'm now wondering if there is some kind of clog in the ink cartridge bay.

Open to suggestions... other than buying a replacement. Just don't have the funds for that.

Thanks in advance!

[chaddro]

Just a follow up. I was able to get the part number from Compass Micro for the left side cartridge bay. And there just so happen to be a new one on eBay... but was only able to find it using the part number, oddly enough.

Thank for the help.