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HP Designjet 450c, 455ca and 488ca Series Printers - Flashing Cartridge Light

	Parts required (part numbers are subject to change)
	Troubleshooting steps
	Accuracy calibration

KRS document number: BPP90072

Last updated: 30-Sept-2002

Minimum skill level: 2

Flashing Cartridge LED is because of a bad electrical connection, missing cartridge, or the wrong cartridge. Use the steps listed in this document to accurately determine the cause of the failure and replace the appropriate parts.

Parts required (part numbers are subject to change)

Part description	Model numbers - C4715A, C6080A, C6082A	Model numbers - C4716A, C6081A, C6083A
Cutter (required) see note below	C4713-60040	C4713-60040
Carriage assembly (required)	C4713-60039	C4713-60039
Trailing cable (required)	C4713-60181	C4714-60181
Front Panel assembly (required)	C4713-60091	C4713-60091
Electronics module	C4713-69203	C4713-69203
Ink Cartridge(s) (optional)	51640A (Black), 51644C (Cyan), 51644M (Magenta), 51644Y (Yellow)	51640A (Black), 51644C (Cyan), 51644M (Magenta), 51644Y (Yellow)

NOTE: The HP Designjet 400 series printers have a very high rate of Cutter assembly failure. Due to this fact, the Cutter assembly must be replaced during any on-site repair (refer to page 8-21 of the HP Designjet 400 Series Service Manual for teardown procedures). If the Cutter appears OK, it still must be replaced at some point during the service call.

Troubleshooting steps

If parts are replaced or fixed in any of the steps listed below, attempt to verify printer functionality by turning the printer on and printing internal test prints. If functionality is verified, no additional parts should be replaced.

1. With the printer turned on, lift the top cover.
2. Check the front panel to ensure that the flashing Cartridge LED goes to steady. If so, continue with Step 3. If the Cartridge LED does not change to steady the cover sensor is not operating correctly. Follow the steps below to activate the cover sensor:
1. Pull the Cutter assembly out towards the center of the printer.
2. Reach behind the front-panel assembly and try to push the sensor towards the front of the printer (to release if stuck). Jiggle the sensor if necessary.
3. Once the Cartridge LED goes to steady, continue with the remaining steps.

NOTE: If the cover sensor exhibits this type of problem, make sure to replace the front-panel assembly as well as all other necessary parts to ensure a first time fix.

3. Remove and reinstall the black cartridge.
4. The Ready light should flash; indicating the unit has a good electrical connection.
5. Try reseating twice as the contacts may be worn.
6. Repeat this process for the remaining color cartridges.
7. If unsuccessful, remove all cartridges.
8. Clean the electrical contacts in all Carriage slots and on every cartridge. Use the HP Cleaning Kit or a lint-free cloth dampened with water. This will remove any dirt or ink that may be preventing a good connection.
9. Reinstall one cartridge at a time and watch for the Ready light to flash. Remove each cartridge before inserting another into the Carriage.
10. Continue testing remaining cartridges.
11. If the black cartridge is unsuccessful, remove the cartridge again and replace with a new one. Watch for the Ready light.
12. If one or more of the color cartridges does not flash, try placing the suspect cartridge in one of the two remaining good color cartridge slots.
13. If the cartridge still shows bad, replace cartridge and attempt to verify functionality.
14. If the cartridge shows good in the other slot, the Carriage slot is suspected as bad.
15. Replace the Carriage and Trailing cable (page 8-37, 8-34 of the HP Designjet 400 Series Service Manual).

NOTE: If Removal and Replacement instructions are needed for reference during any repairs performed, refer to the HP Designjet 400 Series Service Manual available on the Partner Care Web site for review or download.

16. Perform an Accuracy calibration and attempt to verify functionality. If problems persist, continue with the remaining steps.
17. Replace the Electronics module (refer to page 8-13 of the 400 Series Service Manual).
18. Following the Electronics module replacement, perform an Accuracy Calibration as listed below.

Accuracy calibration

1. Place a sheet of polyester film over the top of the printer for approximately 10 minutes to let it stabilize to the environmental conditions. Use a sheet of approximately D-size (61 x 91 cm, 24 x 36 inches). Roll media may also be used. When using polyester film, load it with the matte (dull) side down.

NOTE: If a polyester or matte film is not available, use HP Coated media when performing an Accuracy calibration.

2. Turn the printer off.
3. Press and hold in the MEDIA SOURCE key and turn the printer on (entering Service Mode 2).
4. Set the Media Type on the front panel to Coated Paper.
5. Load the film with the matte (dull) side down, in portrait orientation.
6. When the Ready LED lights up, press the REPRINT key.

NOTE: The Ready LED will begin to flash. Allow several minutes for the printer to complete the calibration print.

7. The printer will eject the sheet, and the Load Media LED will light up.
8. Unload the sheet from the printer.
9. Wait until the ink on the sheet is dry.
10. Cut the sheet along the dotted line and reload facedown into the printer in the direction indicated by the arrows on the calibration plot.

NOTE: The Ready LED will begin to flash. The printer takes less than 10 minutes to read the calibration sheet, calculate the calibration data, and save the data in the EEROM.

11. Unload the sheet from the printer.
12. The Accuracy calibration is now complete.
13. Turn the printer off then on, and verify printer functionality.

Copyright Hewlett-Packard Co. 2001
This information is subject to change without notice and
is provided "as is" with no warranty.
Hewlett-Packard shall not be liable for any direct,
indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages
in connection with the use of this material.

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