Apple Color Printer Troubleshooting Guide
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Fault-finding for the Apple Color Printer, from the error-message list and symptom charts in Apple's Apple Color Printer Service Source.[1] Apple lists cures in order of likelihood. Many cures are marked for international repairers only (power supply, carriage board, logic board, encoder, print timing slit, purge unit, head gap); in the US the alternative given is to return the printer to Apple.[1] Maintenance procedures named below are on the general maintenance page.
Status and error messages
[edit | edit source]| Display | Meaning or cures, in Apple's order |
|---|---|
| 00 READY | On-line: ready for data. Off-line: no errors. With an asterisk, the heads are capped and the printer can be switched off |
| 00 IGNORE DATA | Data has been discarded. Press Menu and < together to return to 00 READY |
| 01 TEST PRINT | Self-test printing; press On Line when it finishes |
| 02 WARMING UP | Allow about 30 seconds before printing |
| 03 RESET | Restoring power-up settings |
| 08 CLEANING | Cleaning the print heads |
| 10 CHECK PAPER | Out of paper or paper misloaded |
| 13 CHECK PAPER | Paper jam: remove the paper from the tray and press On Line; if the sheet does not eject, remove it by hand |
| 40 SERVICE | Check the SCSI cable. Check the SCSI terminator. Replace the SCSI card assembly. Replace the logic board |
| 50 SERVICE | Check the carriage motor. Clear the carriage drive path. Replace the print timing slit, encoder unit, carriage board, logic board |
| 51 SERVICE | As 50, then the purge unit |
| 52-55 SERVICE | Check the bubble-jet head unit connection, then replace the head unit: 52 black, 53 cyan, 54 magenta, 55 yellow |
| 56-59 SERVICE | As 52-55: 56 black, 57 cyan, 58 magenta, 59 yellow |
| 5A-5D SERVICE | Replace the head unit: 5A black, 5B cyan, 5C magenta, 5D yellow |
| 5E, 5F SERVICE | Unlock the carriage lock lever under the printer cover. Check the carriage for binding and set the print head gap. Replace the carriage drive motor. Replace the logic board |
| 61, 63, 66, 68, 72 SERVICE | Replace the logic board |
| 65 SERVICE (with repeated beeps) | Replace the logic board, then the control panel, then the ribbon cables |
Service mode
[edit | edit source]Switch off, hold Menu and < while switching on until a row of squares appears, release, then hold On Line and press Enter twice. The first menu must be BLACK OFFSET; CLEANING means the printer is still in user mode. Pressing Exit and Enter together gives temporary access to the user menus. Switch off to leave service mode.[1]
| Menu | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Black, cyan, magenta, yellow offset | Colour registration values |
| Direction offset | Print position for bidirectional printing |
| Test print A | Head jet check pattern |
| Test print B | Head and main unit precision check, pattern 1 |
| Test print C | Print position setting pattern (used for registration) |
| Test print D | Head and main unit precision check, pattern 2 |
| Heat run | Mechanism drive for factory inspection |
| Cleaning A-D | A clears clogged nozzles; B checks ink passage pressure; C fills the ink supply passages; D flushes the ink supply system |
| Center head | Moves the carriage to the centre for five seconds, with the beeper sounding, for head replacement; switch off to exit |
Operation
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Cures, in Apple's order |
|---|---|
| No power | Check the power cable. Replace the power cord. Replace the fuse. Replace the power supply |
| Does not print | Switch on and restart the computer; make sure ON LINE is displayed. Press On Line. Check the interface cable. Check any error message. Check the SCSI setting. Use an Apple-approved SCSI cable. Check SCSI termination. Replace the printer driver. Replace the SCSI card assembly |
Warning: the power supply carries mains voltage. It is held by two mounting screws, and on refitting the tab on its switch must seat in the on/off switch arm; the fuse is under a cover plate held by one screw.[1] The Service Source gives no fuse rating and no supply voltages.[1]
Paper and print quality
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Cures, in Apple's order |
|---|---|
| Paper sticks together | Remove excess sheets. Use specified media. Check Page Setup |
| Paper skews | Remove excess sheets. Use specified media. Stack the paper against the left side and set the guide. Check the rollers; clean or replace them |
| Jam while loading | Remove the paper carefully by hand |
| Jam inside the printer | Remove the top cover and pull the paper out in the direction of output. Pulling it back towards you can bend the stainless steel bar that holds the paper down |
| Jam during output | Pull the paper out in the direction of output |
| Blurring or smudging | Move the print head position lever fully down. Use specified media. Set the right printing mode. Check the head position and set the head gap. Clean the print heads |
| Missing dots or white streaks | Clean the heads and run the nozzle check. Seat the cartridges firmly. Use specified media. Replace the bubble-jet head unit. Replace the carriage board. Replace the logic board |
Related pages
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Apple Computer, Apple Color Printer (Service Source), 166 pp., 1995, hosted as Apple Color Printer Service Source (PDF). PDF pages: control panel and user menus pp. 4-14; service menus pp. 15-20; wiring diagram pp. 22-35; troubleshooting general p. 45; symptom charts for operation pp. 46-47, paper pp. 48-50 and print quality p. 51; error messages pp. 52-58; service test prints pp. 144-149.