PSC 1510 printed colours almost non-existent

[goofymonkey]

 I'm using a PSC 1510 on a macbook with OSX 10.6.8, connected by USB.

In the last year or so the quality of the colours in my printing has disintegrated to the point where most colours don't even print at all. I thought the colour ink cartridge might be defective (even though it said it was still ¾ full) so I bought a new one. The new cartridge worked for about two days, then very quickly became so streaky and patchy like the other one that it was pointless to print anything in colour. From this, i'm guessing it's a problem with the printer, not the cartridges.

I switched from PC to Mac in October last year, and I can't remember if the problems started around that time or a bit afterward. I'm guessing it doesn't have to do with that anyway.

I have tried cleaning the printheads, printing diagnostics, and printing test pages. Nothing seems to help, and the tests show the same patchy colours.

Any helpful ideas would be much appreciated, thanks. I'd really like some colour in my life again.

[PrintDoc]

Does a self-test from the front of the printer produce the same results?  If so, its a printer problem.  If not, it is more likely a software problem.  Let me know and we will go from there.

[goofymonkey]

Yes, the self test shows the same results. Yellow is completely gone, magenta is mostly gone and cyan is very streaky.

[PrintDoc]

I think your printer has failed in some way and can no longer maintain health of the color cartridge.  There is a wiper in the printer, much like a windshield wiper, that wipes the nozzle plate to keep it clean.  If this wiper is broken off or damaged it can no longer wipe.

You can try to fix this yourself, but I don't recommend it.  It is an inky mess in there.  I'd recommend a new printer.

[goofymonkey]

Dang. Okay, thanks anyway.