IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

[GaryGarland]

Hi - Yesterday I attempted to clean some streaks from printouts. I removed the drum unit, attempted to remove the developer unit, didn't want to deal with the wires, and put everything back. (I did blow air on the drum when outside the machine). Well, the good news is the vertical line is gone. The bad news is only the bottom half of the page now prints (perfectly). (the pages print horizontally). I am wondering what happened - is the drum not getting a charge on the upper part? if the corona wires were damaged, I imagine I'd get no image. I can't imagine the developer unit is transferring to just 1/2 the roller and not the other. I had the drum out (florescent light) for maybe 5 minutes. I figured the drum was about due for replacement anyway, but I'd believe it to be the culprit if there was spotty imaging at various parts and not 1/2 completely missing.

for the printouts (whether a copy or a print of a page), the bottom half is perfect. At about the mid point it lightens intermittently, and then fades away towards the top. 10 copies or prints are identical - it is exactly the same on each sheet.
I called my local tech - the machine is not mine, I can only use it about 4 more months so I don't want to sink a lot of money in - I would replace the drum unit as a gamble for a machine I won't use after 4 months - but I really don't want to do full blown service call in which it might be some significant repairs.

again, before I opened it, it worked fine except for a streak that is now gone. might I have damaged something pulling the drum out, that a new drum would remedy? I can upload images of the pages if that would help.

Many many thanks!

[Luther]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

are you sure you locked the developer unit back in and installed the screw that holds the blue release lever in the locked position?

[GaryGarland]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

are you sure you locked the developer unit back in and installed the screw that holds the blue release lever in the locked position?

Luther, many thanks for the reply. I was actually quite careful to rotate the lever back into place and lock it with the screw. In complete candor, when I attempted to put the drum unit back the first time I had for some reason moved the lever to the locked position, so I couldn't figure out why the unit wouldn't go back in - even with a LITTLE elbow grease. Once I unlocked the lever, I was able to insert it smoothly - I don't know if that did anything to the unit.
This morning, I again took it out and I closely inspected it - and it looked fine - the wiper blade appeared fine, no visible scratches or obvious damage.
I doubt the few minutes it was out was affected by the florescent lights - but at the same time since we were having some image issues, and I don't think the drum was replaced in ages, it might have been reaching end of life.
I'd happily spring for a new (or refurbed) drum assembly if I thought that would solve the issue. I will only have use of the unit for another 4 months - and do have other equipment, but this unit is really conveniently located before we move (and have to give it up to the landlord who can then deal with it).
again, many thanks!!!!!

[teckat]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

U know can air has chemical in it.

[GaryGarland]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

U know can air has chemical in it.

thank you for the reply Teckat. Everything I've read says to use blown compressed air (from a can) - do you think the contents of the can might have damaged the drum? either way, does it seem the drum is bad? i'll gamble $100 to replace it - I'd rather not dump real money into the machine.
Thank you for any thoughts or suggestions.

[Tricky]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

When you removed the drum did you open the right main door first? the transfer roller springs may have come out of position.

[GaryGarland]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

When you removed the drum did you open the right main door first? the transfer roller springs may have come out of position.

Skynet, thank you for the response (and please don't terminate me). I didn't even consider checking the transfer roller (doh!) - I did open the right hand door to relieve pressure and avoid scratching. But, just in case that is on track, I just checked the transfer roller assembly - from what I could tell, everything is fine - there appears to be no uneven gaps, the "springiness" is uniform throughout (including the top, bottom, etc.)

Might it be something else? my guess is that it is the drum (but again, why the top half died is a shocker to me). I equally sprayed the thing with air. I can't think of any reason I'm getting NO imaging on the top half - whether copying (optics) or printing -

I'm still thinking drum unless someone has another idea, which I heartedly welcome. I can also send photos of the unit, paper, etc. - thank you so very much!

[GaryGarland]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

As a follow up, does it seem reasonable to try the replacement drum unit, or a folly? thanks again.

[GaryGarland]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

As a follow up, does it seem reasonable to try the replacement drum unit, or a folly? thanks again.

Hi All,
I've successfully determined it is not the drum - by using a brand new drum with the same issue.
I just ran a bunch of copies and stopped them part-way - and I could see the drum (I since swapped old the new one back for the old one) and I could see there was text on the bottom half of the drum, and NOTHING on the top part.
there is that white piece along the top of the drum that I think is part of the developer assembly - is that the equivalent of corona wires? does it impart the charge to the drum? might that be the culprit? if I can't get anywhere, i'll have to put this machine out to pasture.
again, any and all help appreciated - thank you.

[Brian8506]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

Machine doesn't use wires. The charge roller is in the drum unit. If there's no image on the drum, you probably have a developer unit issue. There is a plastic frame mounted above the drum I believe that has a row of lights on it. Did you possibly knock that out of place?

[GaryGarland]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

Machine doesn't use wires. The charge roller is in the drum unit. If there's no image on the drum, you probably have a developer unit issue. There is a plastic frame mounted above the drum I believe that has a row of lights on it. Did you possibly knock that out of place?

Many thanks Brian - it was my belief that those lights might pre-charge the drum. I believe that is an LED panel with 12 LEDs if I'm reading things correctly - about $26 - I may have affected them - I believe it is the LED Array, FK2-0368-000

I'm trying to find photos of it, and checking the reference manual I have but so far not finding it to see if that is an option.

I also stuck a folded piece of paper behind the transfer unit (between the transfer unit and the door panel) to see if it needed to be pressed closer to the drum - but it didn't help, and as mentioned I saw the drum is not getting 1/2 of the image.

I am guessing I damaged one of the wires to the array and that is what's causing the issue - I don't mind the $27 (heck, it's 1/4 the cost of the drum assembly I just bought) - I just don't know if it would be that or something else.

the array appears to be in the correct spot - again, I'm wondering if I pulled a wire (though they all seem intact) or as you suggested, perhaps I moved it somehow. it might explain why I'm getting a perfectly black printed image at the bottom, and near the middle it fades - light leakage might do that (in my opinion)

thanks - i'll check this out...

[Matoku]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

Hi Gary

Is your issue already sattled?

If not.WHy Not Check the DV Tank top Cover. do you fix it propperly? Last time If ve an experiance
that plastic cover lifted a little bit causeing the Laser Beam Been Blocked to the drum surface and make the image half blank.

[Brian8506]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

I'd be looking at the developer unit before anything else.

[DAG COPIERS & COMPUTERS]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

I suggest you call in the canon experts to handle that simple problem lest you cause further damage to that expensive piece of equipment culminating into throwing it into the dustbin. Experts are never expensive!
There's a common saying in professional circles that, '' If you think experts are expensive try an armature''.

[GaryGarland]

Re: IR Image Runner 3035 only printing bottom half of page

Hi Gary

Is your issue already sattled?

If not.WHy Not Check the DV Tank top Cover. do you fix it propperly? Last time If ve an experiance
that plastic cover lifted a little bit causeing the Laser Beam Been Blocked to the drum surface and make the image half blank.

thank you - i'll check a little bit later. I was thinking it might be the LED bar not imparting a charge to the drum - in my mind, that would make sense because the image cuts off quickly but also smoothly/gradually. I would imagine if something was blocking the beam I'd have a perfect image where the beam hits, and nothing where it doesn't, and probably a sharp edge/line - but I will check and thank you for the suggestion.
I will say from what I could see, nothing appeared to be sticking out or out of alignment - but again, something has to be causing this. I'm guessing it's the yellow wires that plug into the top of the developer unit (and again, I think that's for the LED bar) - I made sure they were snug, but maybe one unseated a bit from the contact. I'm having trouble pulling out that whole assembly (i.e. there are roughly 12 or 14 "holders" for the wires, though there are only about 6 wires - and I can't unplug it, though the manual just shows them getting lifted by the wires and unplugging (which I don't want to do - I tried it very gently and am afraid i'll rip the wires or pull them out of their sockets, which may have happened already).