odd nozze check pattern for epson 3000

[cruzer]

I have an epson 3000 and hadn't used it in months. I knew I had to do
a lot of cleaning to get it going again, so I did clean the heads,
windex the cleaning pads, refill the ink reservoir, and got a test
pattern to finally print. The test pattern is weird, though, it's
missing ink in areas and has excess lines all over the place. Take a
look at it at:

http://onxy.2y.net/bad_epson_3000_nozzle_check_pattern.jpg

I want to know if I should keep on trying to fix this or just trash my
printer.

 

[Jan Alter]

I have an epson 3000 and hadn't used it in months. I knew I had to do
a lot of cleaning to get it going again, so I did clean the heads,
windex the cleaning pads, refill the ink reservoir, and got a test
pattern to finally print. The test pattern is weird, though, it's
missing ink in areas and has excess lines all over the place. Take a
look at it at:

http://onxy.2y.net/bad_epson_3000_nozzle_check_pattern.jpg

I want to know if I should keep on trying to fix this or just trash my
printer.

Give the head an opportunity to settle itself now that you've got ink going
through it again. The excess ink could be caused by the additional Windex
used on the cleaning pads and once evaporated would allow a normal nozzle
check. Hopefully the black portion of the head will open up and allow ink to
run through all the jets. Epsons also require patience. Kind of like owning
a Triumph motorcycle and learning to accept the leaks that are part of its
genetic makeup.

 

[Burt]

Give the head an opportunity to settle itself now that you've got ink
going through it again. The excess ink could be caused by the additional
Windex used on the cleaning pads and once evaporated would allow a normal
nozzle check. Hopefully the black portion of the head will open up and
allow ink to run through all the jets. Epsons also require patience. Kind
of like owning a Triumph motorcycle and learning to accept the leaks that
are part of its genetic makeup.

--
Jan Alter
(e-mail address removed)
or
(e-mail address removed)12.pa.us

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I have taken a look at the nozzle check image you provided, and
unfortunately, I know it well. It is a short in the black head. I have
been trying to determine the exact cause for years, but I haven't found
a fix for it, either. It seems to be caused by a short in the flexible
circuit board between the actual head and the nozzle selection board,
which is part of the head unit. They cannot be repaired or separated,
as they are connected with hundreds of microscopic soldier connections.

The only fix is to replace the head. The heads for the 3000 are
identical to the heads in the SC800 model, which there seem to be a fair
number hanging around used. The head isn't that difficult to replace,
but you do need to open the case up and get to the head area and remove
the ink damper, etc. You'll need a service manual to do this and you
also need the service program to set the voltage of the replacement head.

Or you could hire someone to do the repair ...

Before trashing the unit, there are people who will buy a unit like this
for parts or to repair, as there is still a demand for these models
because of no-chip cartridges that can use bulk inks, and especially a
wide carriage model. You might try ebay or a local buy and sell.

Art