Color laserjet M551

[Tony_tt]

I am having an issue with a Color laserjet. It prints very lightly. The print almost looks faded. I have cleaned the transfer belt and checked the printer. When I look in the event log page on the printer I see the following errors:

50 10/15/2015 8:03:27 AM 24745 54.0C.03 2131305_192070 Calibration error consecutive Dmax Dhalf 0
49 10/15/2015 8:03:27 AM 24745 54.0C.02 2131305_192070 Calibration error consecutive Dmax Dhalf 0
48 10/15/2015 8:03:27 AM 24745 54.0C.01 2131305_192070 Calibration error consecutive Dmax Dhalf 0
47 10/15/2015 8:03:27 AM 24745 54.0C.00 2131305_192070 Calibration error consecutive Dmax Dhalf 0
46 10/14/2015 9:52:48 AM 24744 54.0C.00 2131305_192070 Calibration error consecutive Dmax Dhalf 0
45 10/14/2015 9:52:47 AM 24744 54.03.0C 2131305_192070 Halftone calibration errors 0
44 10/14/2015 9:52:47 AM 24744 54.02.0C 2131305_192070 Halftone calibration errors 0
43 10/14/2015 9:52:47 AM 24744 54.01.0C 2131305_192070 Halftone calibration errors 0
42 10/14/2015 9:52:47 AM 24744 54.00.0C 2131305_192070 Halftone calibration errors 0
41 10/14/2015 9:52:47 AM 24744 54.0C.03 2131305_192070 Calibration error consecutive Dmax Dhalf 0
40 10/14/2015 9:52:47 AM 24744 54.0C.02 2131305_192070 Calibration error consecutive Dmax Dhalf 0
39 10/14/2015 9:52:47 AM 24744 54.0C.01 2131305_192070 Calibration error consecutive Dmax Dhalf 0
38 10/14/2015 9:52:19 AM 24744 54.0F.01 2131305_192070 Calibration Error ColorPlaneRegistration 0

Has anyone experienced this before? Working for a school district I just want to know if this can be repaired easily and cheaply. Thank you.

[John_Getzke]

Perform a half way test:

http://www.printertechs.com/printer-troubleshooting/halfway-test

Swap out the toner cartridge or the fuser accordingly.

[Tony_tt]

I have swapped the fuser, this did not work. The print is still very light. I have tried the black toner cartridge. This did not work.

[John_Getzke]

Are you printing your test jobs from the PC or from the control panel? 

To help eliminate software problems like driver and application conflicts you will have to print reports directly from teh control panel.  There should be a demo or configuration report that you can print as confirmation that the printer parts can function correctly.

Please confirm.

[Tony_tt]

John,

First, thank you for the help. I have been trying to get answers to this problem for a few weeks now. To answer your question, yes I did try the demo pages right from the control panel itself. I even tried taking out the transfer belt and cleaning that thoroughly. Nothing has helped. I've also tried calibration but the print is still faded. Happens on the black as well as color toners. 

[John_Getzke]

Alright its definitly a physical defect from the printer considering what you have shared so far:

- ITB

- Fuser

- All cartridges

The only other parts involved with imaging would be the laser itself, or some kind of power problem where the laser isnt getting charged enough.  You could try plugging it into a different wall outlet without a surge protector to confirm power source problems.

The imaging drums should all be included in the toner cartridges.  They should have been ruled out when you swapped them before, its also unlikely all 4 drums would go bad at the same time.

Also, are we using refills or OEM cartridges?  It shouldnt matter but refills/refurbs can have some strange defects.  If you have a spare m551 lying around you could swap the cartridges out from a working machine and see if the problem travels with the cartridges or not.

[Tony_tt]

I will try another power source. I do have another similar printer in the district. I will try the ITB. I will let you know. Thank you again.