Hp 500 Designjet. false out of ink message

[M2T]

Hello

I have a problem with my HP500 designjet plotter.  Im getting out of ink message but the real ink level is about 50%.

If I replace the ink with a new one Im getting X (flashing cross wrong cartridge).  

Im using orginal HP ink for my plotter.  what can be the problem?

[davidzuts]

There are two things which determine when the printer says it is out of ink.  First each ink cartrdige has a chip mounted on the bottom inside that communicates with the ink service station and is written to as ink is used to tell the plotter how much ink it thinks is left which most times is responsible for showing how much ink is left on the menu display when choosing the ink menu.  The second item and more important is a plunger device for each cartridge that presses against the ink bag inside the ink cartridge from the bottom which when it thinks the cartridge is empty tells the printer the ink cartridge is out of ink.  Most likely the plunger on your ink supply station has a issue with one or more of the plungers and is telling the printer the cartridge is out of ink before is actually is.  The plunger is most times beige in color and can be pressed down by hand and springs back up.  The cost of replacing the ink supply station will probably cost way more than just replacing the ink cartridge.  The list price for the part is around 250.00 new but is discounted by most vendors.  Refurbs run under 100.00.  The part number is C7769-60373.  To determine if the plunger(s) is the issue is just take a piece of tape and place it over the hole at the bottom of the ink cartridge where the plunger goes.  Insert the cartridge back in the plotter and see if it still says the cartridge is empty.  If it does, then the chip reader or other electronics is not calculating the ink correctly.  If the message goes away, your issue is the plungers.  You can use the plotter this way but have to be very careful since you have ink tubes that feed the ink to the printheads.  If your cartridge does run out of ink and is not replaced before it does you will get air in your tube lines and will then cause the printheads to go bad.

[M2T]

Hello davidzuts

I just tried the tape trick and that is not working im still getting out of ink and "X" message. Im getting one out of ink message and two "X" (wrong cartride) message.   when you say inksupplay station are you meaning service station https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97IXfoBefDY    I have replaced the servicestation about one year ago, and I have a new spare service station.  do you think replacing the service station might solve the problem?

[davidzuts]

Service station has nothing to do with your issue.  The ink supply station is where the cartridges are located.  In fact if you remove all the ink cartridges and look down there will be 4 sets of contacts where each mates with each ink cartridge.  They are made of copper and odds are you got some liquid down there and they have corroded to where they do not make good contact with the chip at the bottom of each cartridge.  Most times when this happens the ink supply station needs to be replaced.  Part number is C7769-60148.