HP Z3200 Printhead Problem

[PeterOReilly]

I recently had to change the carriage PCA and trailing cable on my Z3200 Photo 24in (was getting error 02.1:10). Now, when I start the printer after unplugging for a while, I get the following:
Printer goes through startup and initialisation, then comes up with message: "Replace E/G and B/GN printheads"
I press OK to start replacement, open the window, and the message changes to: "Reseat faulty printheads - LM/LC"
I reseat the LM/LC printhead, message now changes to: "Install missing printheads - M/Y, PK/LG, MK/R" (all prinheads are inserted)
I reseat the M/Y printhead, machine beeps, but still shows the same message.
Does this sound like a printhead problem, or should I be looking elsewhere for the problem?
Thanks

[Mark Lindquist]

I recently had to change the carriage PCA and trailing cable on my Z3200 Photo 24in (was getting error 02.1:10). Now, when I start the printer after unplugging for a while, I get the following:
Printer goes through startup and initialisation, then comes up with message: "Replace E/G and B/GN printheads"
I press OK to start replacement, open the window, and the message changes to: "Reseat faulty printheads - LM/LC"
I reseat the LM/LC printhead, message now changes to: "Install missing printheads - M/Y, PK/LG, MK/R" (all prinheads are inserted)
I reseat the M/Y printhead, machine beeps, but still shows the same message.
Does this sound like a printhead problem, or should I be looking elsewhere for the problem?
Thanks

Hi Peter:

Really, I want to avoid giving you advice, but these are the things I would do:

Turn off the printer and unplug.
Wait a good several hours.
Open the cover and roll up a piece of paper to stick in the right upper corner to defeat the limit or cover safety switch.
Plug the printer back in and wait for the carriage to come out of the home position, then unplug the printer again.
Pull All print heads and cartridges.
Carefully clean all print heads and PH receptacles.
Check expiration dates and replace any long expired and/or iffy print heads, especially those that won't pass the ink blot test with flying colors.
Plug printer back in, start from scratch, add carts only when called for, then print heads as called for.
Pay attention to the beeps when printheads are seated.
See if it initializes.

If yes, then good to go.

If no, re-evaluate.

As discussed, this would be my approach.

Mark

[PeterOReilly]

Thanks for your reply, Mark.
I have tried the procedures you suggested, but still getting the same messages. One thing you may be able to help with - the carriage PCA which I fitted said it was for the Z3100 or Z3200, but I have since read that there are different PCAs for these two printers.
Do you know if this is correct?
Thanks
Peter

[chez]

The Z printers are fabulous, I have two of them, but this song and dance one has to go through is totally unacceptable for a professional grade printer. For Christ's sake, why didn't the engineers put in some diagnostics into the printer so we wouldn't have to always hope and pray things get back working.

[Mark Lindquist]

Thanks for your reply, Mark.
I have tried the procedures you suggested, but still getting the same messages. One thing you may be able to help with - the carriage PCA which I fitted said it was for the Z3100 or Z3200, but I have since read that there are different PCAs for these two printers.
Do you know if this is correct?
Thanks
Peter

Yes - it's confounding these days Peter. You might try Mike Wert. at LPS computers. Some have had good luck changing formatting boards from B to A, etc. so it could be worth a call.
Mark

[Mark Lindquist]

The Z printers are fabulous, I have two of them, but this song and dance one has to go through is totally unacceptable for a professional grade printer. For Christ's sake, why didn't the engineers put in some diagnostics into the printer so we wouldn't have to always hope and pray things get back working.

They have put in diagnostic info Chez - it's just that mostly only the engineers can read it. Remember that the original designers who build these machines back in Barcelona are mostly all gone now except for a few. They wrote the manual way back then and this level of diagnostic and repair was never expected of an end user.
If you think this is bad, get under the hood of a wide format Canon or Epson and see how that goes.

These are tricky but possible to repair. A lot of folks try and many succeed. Some do and some don't.

It's amazing that they can be toyed with at all. I'm just glad to have them and to be able to print with them and the Vivera inks.
Frustrating as it can be at times, I feel blessed to have them in my life.

Best,

Mark

[sportmaster]

Getting the correct parts for your printer is essential.  Mismatched components may initially appear to give functionality, but other problems will eventually occur.

Months ago I similar issues and LPS advised I could converter my HP Z3200 revision B printer to revision A.  I did so because of non-availability of rev. B parts and higher costs. 

My printer now works better than ever.

Tim Wert at LPS is your friend.