Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

[axyun]

Customer called last night saying a toner depleted message came up on Ricoh MP301 SPF. He changed toner and shortly thereafter he machine gave same message and he changed it again. I asked if toner containers were full and he said half full.
He said that before the first message there was an unusual noise from machine. Any help is appreciated as my first call on this series. I guess i would cheat front door switch and watch bottle. Pull out holder and examine for clog in toner route? Your suggestion are appreciated very much. Frank/ActionPhotocopy

[JOLYNAR]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

Do you have change the pcu unit?

[axyun]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

Thanks to Jolynar and Josh. I have not seen machine yet so I have not changed PCU.

Josh is that pretty much a good probability or could something just be out of position or clogged? Frank

[Zeldaman]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

Hi there!
Had this last week - gears of the pcu were broken.
Greetings...

[axyun]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

Thank you Zeldaman. Frank

[Athlontini]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

This has been a thing on all of its predecessor models too. False add toner = either incorrectly installed bottle or bad PCU. Toner hoppers/toner supply clutches rarely go out (thankfully)

[axyun]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

I ordered the PCU and expecting it Monday. Thanks guys. Frank

[roman2304]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

Hi guys!!

I have a lot of RICOH MP-301sp and 301spf and this problem happens in almost all the machines, the PCU gest broken gears before 45,000 pages and the warranty wont apply.
Can it be that the PCU has to much developer in it?? Do you think that if i remove a spoon of developer before use of the PCU can do the trick??

Thanks!!

[Shadow1]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

This is becoming a major issue on these machines - False add toner because of broken PCU unit with as little as 15K on the unit. Seen 3 this week and the PCU's are now backordered.

This unit also takes a new supposedly unique PCU, however, the Type 1515 will work just fine with a little modification:
A - Remove the front end plate from the old unit and swap it with the one on the 1515. (Pain in the a$$ but no mod to the machine)
B - My preferred method - There are 2 aligning pins on the machine that must match the holes on the new PCU unit's front plate - grab the left one with a pair of pliers and snap it off. It breaks off cleanly right at the base and you can now insert either the MP301 Drum unit or the older one for the MP201, whichever is cheaper / available at the moment.

[CSI]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

Thank you for this information

[slimslob]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

A common problem with this size machine. In light usage locations, the developer builds at the back end of the transport shaft from the toner hopper and causes the shaft to bind and either stripping the gears or causing SC 500 main motor lock.

[TSI]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

Thank very much

[James1409]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

I have had this issue numerous times in my 16 years of service. Other models are MP201, AF1515, MP171,161 that also generates this issue over a period of time the MC is installed at client, then it was usually the Dev gear and Idle gear that was worned. What I have found with the MP301's is that when you modify the PCU front section with the 3 hole front plate, it works fine, but not for as long as with the other model MC's (MP201SPF, 171, 161). If you install the legit PCU for MP301SPF, you should install the correct PCU for the MC D1272110 is the part number. Hope this sheds some light.

[JayPaul]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

If I ever attend a call for a 301 not adding toner/saying no toner... Take a toner hopper unit and a PCDU, check the hopper is not clogged up and full of toner, check the little cap from inside the toner bottle isn't stuck inside the hopper, check the PCDU toner entry slot isn't piled up with toner, check the PCDU can actually rotate... once you have gone through these and replaced any necessary parts, go into service mode and initialise new PCDU if you fit one but also DO THIS...
SP Mode 'Toner end clear' 2-928-001 and Execute. Without doing this sometimes you can keep getting the recurring 'Toner empty' message even after you have fixed the problem. That SP mode can save you a huge headache sometimes.

[marcweb31]

Re: Ricoh MP301SPF toner depleted messsage twice with new toners

I solved the Tonner error like this:
1-Remove the cap and insert it a little earlier in the mechanism.
2-then insert the cylinder without throwing the powder and insert it into the door with the cap and lever lowered.
3-Wait a few minutes for the revelation on the machine display to disappear.


The argument would be that if the cap is fixed well, the tonner also comes back with the mechanism and does not open and the engine does not turn. but I cleaned it all first and a good general cleaning wouldn't hurt.

tell me if you solve it