I am experiencing a t-jet problem that I am stuck with and was hoping someone could help me. The machine I am working with is the red fast t-jet 1.
Basically what is currently happening is that when I load the tray, the machine automatically does a head clean, the head goes up and down slowly and then quickly (the normal routine when its initially switched on). It then repeats this process a couple of times, resets the head into the starting position and starts flashing the red error light - the green power light and the load lights are on (static - not flashing).
It started happening when I took out the encoder strip out and cleaned it. I also cleaned the metal bar that the head moves along and flushed the print head. Since then, every time I try to print, the problem described above occurs. I have also reset the waste counter using the software but that doesn't fix the problem.
The ink seems to be flowing through the print head OK as the ink levels are reducing with every head clean.
I have ordered a new encoder strip which should be arriving in a few days time but I have a feeling that it won't make a difference as something else may be wrong.
Two things to check, number one, is the encoder strip installed properly, secondly, make sure that no "gunk" has gotten into the encoder reader on the back of the carriage. TO clean it take some compressed air and blow out the reader.
I used a hair dryer (full power, cold air) to try and clean the gunk from the back of the carriage but still no luck. The current encoder strip has a couple of slight bends on it so I am hoping that that could be the root. Is it really that sensitive? Will fit the new one in when it arrives and post on here if it works.
Unfortunately no luck with the new encoder strip. I used a hair dryer to blow dry the back of the carriage for about 15 minutes (with cold air) and still the same result. Just to repeat, as soon as I press the load button, the head moves into the correct position and then starts moving up and down the pipe slowly and then quickly. It just does this once and when finished, the red error light starts flashing slowly. The power and and load button are also on but not flashing just static.
Could it be anything else causing this?
This is what I've done so far:
- Reset the waste counter
- Installed a new encoder strip
- Blow dried the back of the carriage for about 15 minutes to try and get rid of any "gunk" as Don mentioned. I am not sure how to check whether there is any still in there but I can't see anything in the way.
Really puzzled at the moment... have a feeling its something really silly :S
Also, if I try to print a t-shirt without pressing the load button (switch on into loaded position), it ejects the trey about half way, the head goes up and down once and then it just stops. No flashing error lights appear UNTIL the load button is pressed.
If it isn't the encoder strip then you might want to change out the ribbon cable. Before doing that double check to make sure the encoder strip is inserted through the hole in the back of the carriage and double check to make sure the small ribbon cable on the back of the carriage is connected properly.
It's not the encoder strip or else your print head would slam over to the left side. Your print head cable is not communicating properly between the print head and the main board. Check your ribbon cable connections to the print head for burn marks. Check the jumper board where the ribbon cable goes to from the print head and from where another ribbon cable then goes to the main board.
Thanks for your feedback guys, I just opened it up and the ribbon cable indeed looks burnt. Here is what it looks like at the moment:
As this is the first time I have ever opened it up, I am wondering whether both the print head and the ribbon cable need to be replaced? Looks damaged on both sides... Sorry if it sounds daft, I'm a newby...
This usually happens if fluid has migrated down into the ribbon cable connector.
Did you recently push fluid through the print head?
From my experience when this happens it burns out the mother board more then 75% of the time since the burnt fingers are a result of a direct short from the output driver transistors on the main board, but you may get lucky and maybe the on board fuse did it's job and protected the devices.
So I would be prepared to replace the print head, print head cables and possibly the mother board or just the fuse.
Sure looks like fluid caused booth to burn out. Replace ribbon cable and print head first. If it still doesn't work then it will be the main board. Also make sure and unplug the power cord to your printer before disconnecting and repairing your print head and ribbon cable or this will happen again .
I did try push fluid through the print head - have to learn the hard way sometimes.
I've ordered a new print head and ribbon cable so will post on here if that fixes it. Just wondering whether the printer would function at all if the main board was damaged.
You might get a situation in which the printer appears to be printing normally with the bed advancing and the print head going back and forth but no ink comes out of the print head. This is the most common symptom if the main board is damaged.
Flashing error light - cannot print 
I used a hair dryer to blow dry the back of the carriage for about 15 minutes (with cold air) and still the same result. Just to repeat, as soon as I press the load button, the head moves into the correct position and then starts moving up and down the pipe slowly and then quickly. It just does this once and when finished, the red error light starts flashing slowly. The power and and load button are also on but not flashing just static. 
Re: Flashing error light - cannot print 
