5100cn with faded color

Same issue here.  What do you do with that screwdriver?

Uhhhh...... anything you want ?

My 5100cn is printing (which is a good thing) but the black is all faded.  Swapped out the toner to no avail and after reading this thread I don't think I picked up on anything that might fix or define the issue...... 

When printing black only, do you hear any sort of grinding sounds? if color is fine, and black is faint, I suspect the black toner motor gearbox may be stripped.

It's part of the Toner Dispenser Assy; Dell p/n G6599 (for 5100cn), TF123 (for 5110cn)

Do you know how to use the diagnostics mode in the printer? If so please run Digital Output test DO-4e. This will run the black toner drive motor. Run it no longer than about 15 seconds. Please let me know what you hear. You can compare what you hear with any of the other toner motors; DO-48(Yellow), -4a(Magenta), -4c(Cyan)

Something else you may want to try is removing the Black cartridge while running this test. BE CAREFUL !!  Do NOT put your eyeballs directly above the toner port opening as toner might get kicked up while the test is running. With the test running, you should be able to see a "ripple" motion at the surface of the toner port.

Last question...... Are you using genuine Dell toner? If not, this is probably only the beginning of more problems. The company that makes these printers for Dell has a trade secret on the toner formulation. Compared with 3rd party toners, it is not the same and the "other stuff" will eventually ruin the inner workings of the printer.

Can you tell me how to run diagnostics mode plus the mentioned Digital Output test?

When printing black only, do you hear any sort of grinding sounds? if color is fine, and black is faint, I suspect the black toner motor gearbox may be stripped. It's part of the Toner Dispenser Assy. Dell p/n G6599 (for 5100cn), TF123 (for 5110cn)

Use the diagnostics mode in the printer to run Digital Output test DO-4e. This will run the black toner drive motor. Run it no longer than about 15 seconds. Please let me know what you hear. You can compare what you hear with any of the other toner motors; DO-48(Y), -4a(M), -4c(C)

How to Enter Customer Diagnostic Mode:
1. Turn the printer power OFF and disconnect any data cables.
2. While pressing both the up and down buttons, turn the printer power ON.
3. Release the buttons when “Diagnosing…” is displayed.
4. After the diagnosing cycle completes, the display should indicate “Customer Mode” and “ESS Diag”; press the down button to display “IOT Diag”; press the center Select button.
5. The display should indicate “IOT Diag” and “Digital Input”; press the down button.
6. The display should indicate “IOT Diag” and “Digital Output”; press the Select button.
7. The display should indicate “Digital Output” and “DO- 0  READY”; use the up or down buttons to the test desired, then press the Select button(*)

To exit the Diags, it's easier just to turn the power off, wait ~5 secs, then power back on.

(*) Note: The Digital Output tests will not run if any of the interlock circuits are opened; i.e. front access doors or drum unit cover.

No grinding noise with the printing black only and the sounds when running the different tests were the same so possibly it is the toner supply tube. Also I tried removing the black cartridge when running the test and the toner did "kick-up" during the test.

Does the Black MAG roller look toner starved? One thing you might want to try before pulling the thing apart is to run the Toner Supply motor a little longer to see if the Black toner density improves. I've had others try this and they reported improvement.

Hope you have a good laser Vacuum cleaner for the toner cleanup you'll encounter

The interesting that happened when I ran it past the 15 seconds, it did start making a grinding noise. I gave it about another 5 past that before shutting it down. The test print job afterward showed no improvement.

It kinda sounds like the gearbox that drives the toner tube auger may have a stripped spot on the gearing. Incidentally, that gearbox also drives an auger inside the toner cartridge that keeps the toner mixed and moves it towards the supply port. If your Black toner cart has been subjected to any intense heat or hi-humidity conditions, the toner powder inside the cartridge may be clumping/hardened.

The black toner in there fairly new and is at 80% capacity. As far as I know, it hasn't been exposed to any sort of extreme conditions.

I might suggest removing the rear cover and watching the black toner tube as you run the black motor test again. (leave the cartridge in)

Check to see if you feel or see any motion within the tube. The interior of the tube is basically hollow with a long coiled spring down the entire inside length. The spring is rotated in a direction that helps the toner flow down towards the developers. If the spring does not turn, the developer will "toner starve".

Compare the black tube with one of the other colors.

llynster:

Because you indicated the print density improved after running test DO-4e, this tells me you may have some blockage in the black auger tube. This tube is the longest tube and runs from the back of the machine down to the lowest developer unit. Think of it as an artery being blocked by cholesteral.

Let me have a couple days to think of the best way to clean this out. You handy with a #2 Phillips screwdriver?

Hi Llynster, et al,

I am attempting to resurrect a old forgotten & retired 5100cn from my workplace.  After installing a new Black toner (old one was indeed empty), it prints very nicely in B&W, but I seem to be running into similar issues as other have reported here, with none of the CMY co-operating.  I get a faint hint of color, stronger at the first instance of the color on the page fading to nothing almost immediately, for all three.  All toner cartridges do seem to have toner, and do not appear to be malfunctioning.  I don't hear what I consider to be unusual grinding noises.  I suspect the toner auger tubes are clogged from lack of use or contamination.

Since this printer was scheduled for execution, I'm trying to make it as useful as possible without spending any more cash, so DIY fixer-upper solutions are ideal.

If I can't get the color working, I'll just use it in B&W mode, but it sure would be nice to figure out how to unclog or clean whatever needs unclogging.  So if you could pass on those tips about accessing and cleaning out the auger tubes, I'd appreciate it.

And I'll be doing this in my garage, so I'm not concerning with a minor mess of toner...

Thanks!

"shinksma",

The symptom you describe is exactly that seen when the color clutch in the Developer Drive Assy (Dell p/n H6702) has failed. You should be able to get one from Dell Spare parts. ( www.dell.com/parts ) or by calling 800-372-3355 (in the USA).

I've got no clue how much it would cost...... perhaps a forum member who's purchased one can let us know the cost?

Thanks for the diagnosis, llynster.

I called Dell.  The part is out of stock, but costs $85.  So I'm not about the throw that much $$ at this problem, since I'm sure in a few months something else will go wonky.  So I'll just use it in B&W mode.

Out of curiosity, how would I access that part?  Maybe it isn't broken, just jammed or something.  My labor is free, so I don't mind tinkering...

EDIT: I found a service manual on-line for a Xerox machine that is a clone of the Dell 5100CN.  I now know how to get at stuff without (as much) risk of breaking things.

Yay!  Time to disassemble something!