T2300 Scanner Ony

[Erikm_T2300]

Our small engineering firm owns an HP DesignJet T2300. We only use it as a large format scanner and are no longer using the plotter. Unfortunately, the machine has an error code that won't go away that is related to the printer/plotter portion of the machine. We've replaced ink cartridges and print head, etc. with no luck getting the machine to reboot. We had a technician look at it and told us it was going to cost a lot to repair it. We're wondering if anyone has found a way to bypass the printer altogether and just get the machine to boot up as a scanner only? 

[D Hook]

Can you tell us what the error is on the printer?  We might be able to advise on how to fix it yourself.  

I own the same machine and have the exact opposite problem;  the printer works great but the scanner throws an error code.  But it doesn't prevent the printer from working.  I don't see a way to use just the scanner if the printer is throwing an error that is a non-continuable code.  Here's a source for the service manual you can download free:  https://www.lpscomputer.com/collections/designjet-t1300-t2300-parts-page

It will also give an explanation of the codes.

[Erikm_T2300]

It's currently got error 21.2:13 which seems to lock everything up and our only option is to restart the printer. Thanks for the link to the service manual. I'll do some digging into that and see if I can figure anything out. But, any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated. 

[Repairatrooper]

ink service station error. Not uncommon often caused when under utilized machines wind up with dried ink blocking movement of the service station. Replacing that will likely resolve the issue.

[Erikm_T2300]

Okay thanks for the info. That seems to match up with what our service tech was telling us. However, it doesn't really help with our current situation or with our intended use of the machine moving forward. 

1) Is there a way for me to clean out this dried ink so we can get past the current lock up?

2) Since we never use the printer anymore, I'm guessing this is just going to keep happening. Is there a way to keep this from happening again shortly after we dump a bunch of $$ getting this part serviced, and then go another 3 years before we print something? 

[Repairatrooper]

Can be cleaned but can be a messy job. Typically the two causes of failure are the previously mentioned dried ink which either completely stops or adds too much friction when  but it could also be a failed motor.

If you remove the right side cover (when you are facing the printer, there is a Torx 10 screw in an access hole that allows you to manually cycle the service station. If it is very hard to move, then dried ink is the likely issue. If it moves freely then more likely a component failure. 

[D Hook · Accepted solution]

When you finish with the scanner, do you turn the machine off from the front power button or do you just let it go to sleep?  The reason I ask is because the boot up time/process is much shorter if it's just waking up from the sleep mode rather than booting up from a cold start.  The shorter boot up will help conserve ink and deposit less ink into the service station to help avoid this problem in the future.  Or you could have had a leaking printhead that was depositing an excessive amount of ink into the service station, where it dried over time and blocked the service station from being able to move the distance it needed and threw the code.  I've seen that happen once and it caused quite a mess inside and the service station had to be replaced.  As mentioned by Repairtrooper, cleaning one can be messy and I would add that, having tried that once, is not worth the money you save from just buying a refurbished one.

You might want to look into buying a stand-alone scanner that will do the same paper size your using now so you don't have to worry about the printer function.  Used ones are out on the market and, depending on where you live, can be fairly reasonable.

But if you think you might still need the printer once in a while, you could opt for having this one repaired.  Changing out the service station is a simple job for a tech to do.  (Usually finding all the screws to remove the right side cover is the hardest part!)  If you've already replaced all the printheads and the ink cartridges then changing the service station should allow the printer to complete it's boot cycle and make the scanner available to use.  Then you could make an occasional print (once a month) and maybe prevent other problems that can arise from underuse.

Or if you handy and have a torx screwdriver set, you could use the service manual to do the repairs yourself.  You can either buy a new part from HP or check with LPS Computers (where you can download the service manual) and purhcase a refurbished part.  (No affiliation, just good experience with them.)  There's users on this forum that can help with any questions you might have if you get stuck.  The service manual is a thorogh step by step guide to changing out the part and you can test the printer before putting the cover back on to be sure it all works okay.

If you haven't already, be sure you check inside the printer with a flash light to see if the cutter is not attached to the carriage, blocking the service station from moving.  You won't be able to move the carriage manually unless you remove the right hand cover, as Repairtrooper said, but you can turn on the printer and let the carriage move out of it's home spot, then shut off the power from the back switch.  This will let you move the carrriage manually out of the way enough to see the service station and check for obstructions.  Even a wadded scrap of paper is enough to cause the problem.

Let us know how you come out.

[Erikm_T2300]

Thanks for all the feedback. Not sure how we're going to proceed, but maybe one of these days I'll get a spare couple hours to play with things and see if I can at least get it back up and running to the point of letting me use the scanner. 

Generally, the machine sits in stand-by mode and is never fully shut off. We've been having to shut it off, unplug it, wait overnight for everything to discharge, and then plug it back in and turn it back on using the switch in the back in order to get it to clear previous errors.  But, that method hasn't helped at all with the current error. 

As I said, one of these days, hopefully I can find some time to poke around a bit. Or, start shopping for a stand alone scanner....

Thanks again for all the input!