Phaser 860 Missing ALL Cyan 1

[TCouch]

Got a rather strange problem. I've got a Phaser 860DP, and am having an issue with print quality. All the jets for the Black, Yellow, and Magenta are fnctioning normally as the light stripes page shows. But the Cyan is missing. Completely. It shows me that NONE of the Cyan jets are firing. I'm getting no error codes for the printer, and the printer appears operational. It goes through its warmup and comes to the ready state. I can print with no problems. Except that the prints don't look right, because there is no cyan being laid down on the page.

Originally, I was thinking this was a failed printhead, but after running it around my brain for a few hours, I'm no longer sure. My logic tells me that it's more of an issue with a failed control board, since it's all the jets on one color. But knowing what the printhead looks like, I suppose it could be the circuit board that is part of the printhead. I'd love to get this problem fixed because I love the color output of these printers.

Any ideas as to what might cause an entire color to disappear?

 

[marty5261]

I have only seen this problem with customers using a 3rd party or non Tek/Xerox ink, such as media sciences or Tally. That being said the printhead has failed and needs replacement due to the use of that ink. If this is teh case with yours some manufacturers will warrant their ink against this failure and should pay to have the head replaced.

 

[TCouch]

Actually, I'm using Xerox ink sticks. I don't like the 3rd party ink, and being a technician, don't use refilled or remaned toners in my HP Products either. I'm suspecting it is a printehead failure. Since I'm using Xerox ink, and the printer is out of warranty, I'll think about getting another printhead.

 

[marty5261]

Xerox has restructured their pricing for replacing the printheads and have set a flat rate fee which includes labor and the printhead. I dont have the info in front of me but I believe for and 860 the figure is about $650. you can contact Xerox or call an ASP but I have told people to call Xerox who will then dispatch the call to me because it then turns out to be a better deal for both parties.

 

[TCouch]

I'm not to worried about contacting Xerox, since the company I work for is a Xerox ASP. I can oder the printhead directly from them. I've had some experience with Xerox printers, although all my certifications are with the HP LaserJet and Lexmark laser printers. I've worked on these printers before, mostly changing out the lamps, and the drum maint clutch. Also fixing the sticky solenoid for the transfix roller. Have taken out a printhead twice, so I could do it myself. I had suspected printhead failure all along, but was wanting the problem to be elsewhere due to the cost of the printhead. Last I checked, the printhead was around the $800 range with a $500 core value, so I'd be looking at about $300 and my time. Guess I'll just break down and buy the printhead.

Timothy N. Couch