Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

[Bval]

Out of my element with this printer but live extremely rural so hiring someone to check it out isn't an option. Will either fix it or get rid of it if I can't...

Picked up this sharp printer that had an error code on it, quickly fixed that with a new fan. Printed fine for a couple copies and started ghost printing.

What I have done: tried cleaning the transfer belts and that didn't fix it along with regular maintenance with the attached cleaning rods on the inside cover. Was only printing black so tried black drum next, still no luck. Tried to get a new cleaning blade for the primary transfer unit and that did not work either. Also tried changing paper type as well as weight in the settings and using a different type of paper.

During this period I replaced color toner cartridges and ran a color test print and saw the ghost issue is not just on the black but all colors. Also red prints with a yellow outline, was going to try and color calibrate but it will not read the scan with the ghost printing.

Last thing I tried so far was to pull all drums and clean the blades to see if that would help temporarily, it did not. I ran a copy of a blank sheet for 50 copies and every single one had bad streaking or color from the color test.

It would seem that the transfer belt isn't getting cleaned but I'm not seeing any issues with the belt itself so thought the cleaning blade would be adequate.

I have primarily worked on eco solvent printers, so quite a bit different and this one is just for personal use to print kids schooling materials. Any help would be appreciated. I have the service manual but didn't find anything that specifically addressed this issue.Screenshot_20231005_180327.jpg

[Larhal]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

Looks like the fuser is on the way out. It can be rebuilt.

[MHeon71]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

I am with Larhal. Possible fusing unit. There is a line that is going from front to back every 3" or so. If you roll the paper up, it should show you the size of the roller causing it. With all colors being present, I would think that the problem is after the drums.

[OlliK1969]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

Hi
if the transfer belt isn't cleaned, it probably can't be the heater. Have you cleaned the drum blades?? What color are they? When they're good, they're almost transparent. If they are yellow or brownish, replace them, including the drum. How old is the blade from transferbelt ?? Also check the transfer belt drive gear.

[Larhal]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

Hi
if the transfer belt isn't cleaned, it probably can't be the heater. Have you cleaned the drum blades?? What color are they? When they're good, they're almost transparent. If they are yellow or brownish, replace them, including the drum. How old is the blade from transferbelt ?? Also check the transfer belt drive gear.

He may be correct. Also looks like the transfer belt cleaner may be backed up and packed full of toner.

[ron67601]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

I would agree with Ollik1969, looks like the primary belt cleaner blade or unit is the problem. Good Luck.

[Bval]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

He may be correct. Also looks like the transfer belt cleaner may be backed up and packed full of toner.

Appreciate all the replies, I'm going to reply to all in this quote for ease.

After seeing all the colors had the issue my initial thought was drum blades. I removed all of them, they were a clear transparent color, gave them a clean and made sure nothing was bent etc.

The primary transfer belt cleaning blade is new and I cleaned out all the residual toner that was built up under the old one before installing the new one (not positive that's the packed up cleaner spot that was referenced).

I have not messed with the fuser at all since I was nearly certain it was the transfer belt cleaning blade.

As of last night, i was trying to test by printing solid black pages and blanks, the printer jammed and pulled the black drum blade slightly off line. Gave an error code so I pulled it and saw that issue and corrected. Then it continued to jam every time right after the tray lift. I tried to print plain again and it went through fine, but still with the streaks. Then tried to do the black sheet and a standards text document and both jammed and threw code C4-20. So now there actually is an issue with the transfer belt but I haven't pulled it back out to inspect yet.

Added information for reference, every time I have pulled the transfer belt out to replace the blade or clean it the prints get worse when reinstalled. The first print after the transfer belt blade was replaced came through clean and then started doing it again, so I am still leaning towards a transfer belt issue rather than fuser. The fan replaced was the toner cooling fan as well for additional information, couldn't remember yesterday.

[Larhal]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

Replace transfer belt unit. Ok leave the fuser out of the equation now.

[Bval]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

Replace transfer belt unit. Ok leave the fuser out of the equation now.

I pulled the belt again to see if I could verify what the cleaning unit is that may be packed up, don't think im looking in the right spot but would bet your initial thought that it was clogged is accurate.

I attached two pictures of the new cleaning blade and where it attaches, both are completely caked up when they were spotless yesterday when installing. Trying to look in the service manual for the correct procedure. Would prefer to try that before spending more on a new belt unit than I did on the printer.

[Larhal]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

Check to see if the Transport Auger is rotating. Check gears , drives and the waste toner discharge port to see if they are clear/ opening. Something there is not taking the waste toner away thus building up and passing by leaving it smeared on the belt.

[Bval]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

Check to see if the Transport Auger is rotating. Check gears , drives and the waste toner discharge port to see if they are clear/ opening. Something there is not taking the waste toner away thus building up and passing by leaving it smeared on the belt.

I have verified everything rotates well, pulled that entire side off blew it out with some canned air and made sure the discharge port opens and closes freely with no obstructions. Put it all back together and in the machine but haven't tried a test print yet. The waste tank was pretty full when I got it, I dumped it bit did not replace it, wouldn't think that would cause this bad of an issue but I do know they are supposed to be replaced not just emptied.

I think my issue may have been my stupidity, not giving it enough time to dry after cleaning. When I wiped the transfer belt cleaning blade off there was a hardened line of toner across the entire blade with high and low spots. Took about 30 minutes of light cleaning with alcohol to finally break it all off and be back to a nice clean rubber blade. I'll test print here shortly. Also found a couple full transfer belt units for a decent price on ebay if needed.

[Bval]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

That did not change anything still streaking on blank page prints and popping up the C4-20 code after a print.

[ron67601]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

C4-20 also means drum blade is flipped. You might have multiple drum blades that are flipped. I would ask the question how long this machine has set without being used. The environment destroys components that need periodic replacement. You better dismantle the machine and check everything. Good Luck

[Bval]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

C4-20 also means drum blade is flipped. You might have multiple drum blades that are flipped. I would ask the question how long this machine has set without being used. The environment destroys components that need periodic replacement. You better dismantle the machine and check everything. Good Luck

I had seen that on other posts regarding the code but I've pulled all drums and checked out the cleaning blades and see no issue though I'm not exactly positive what a flipped blade would look like. Not certain on how long it was sitting, a day after I got it the original problem was fixed and it was in use. The previous owner used it daily until the code he had caused him to sell but not sure how long it was posted before I picked it up.

I noticed some lettering from a previous print stuck on the belt that will not come off with cleaning just now as well, so if I can figure out the code I'll probably still need the transfer belt unit but will wait on figuring out the code before spending the money. If I can get it to print again even streaky was adequate for the short term.

[Bval]

Re: Sharp MX-4111N Ghost Printing

C4-20 code is gone, I didn't fully clip in the back cover on the black drum after checking the blade apparently. It will now print again but still streaking on plain paper and ghosting on text prints. Back to either transfer belt or fuser it seems.

Is there any way to rule one out before I start throwing money at it?