HP 4650 3 printers same problem CPR sensor out of range

[rjcc]

I have 3 HP 4650 color laserjet printers that now have the same problem. On the event log, the error shows 54.11, then 54.OF, then 54.10 - all "CPR Sensor out of range" and my black print is misaligned with the colors. how can this be with all 3 and how can I fix them??? HELP!!

[redcow]

The errors that you are getting refer to the yellow drum phase sensor.
That's the 54.10.

The 54.11 says replace the black cartridge.

Are you using HP toner?

[redcow]

Pick one of the printers, pull out the JetDirect and do a Cold Reset.
Then do a full calibration. And see what happens.

[rjcc]

I will try that....but I have replaced toner over and over until it was ridiculous and it didn't help. Why is it that the black is the one out of alignment? The 54.12 is the cyan density sensor, 54.11 is the black density sensor and the 54.10 is the black drim home position sensor. I son't know aht the 54.OF is. But the service manual gives 4 options for the "CPR Sensor out of range". 1 is to calibrate (no help) 2 is to verify if the cables are seated properly and the connector J1024 is making good contact with the DC controller (which I'm not quite sure yet how to do) 3 is replace the color registration detection unit (which I did and it didn't help) and 4 is to replace the DC controller PCB. Is this a common problem? Because it sure is strange that within a 3 year period I've had the very same problem with a brand new one from the factory and two refurbished ones.:confused:

[prntrfxr]

follow redcow's advise. 90% of color laser problems are toner in the sensor problems. clean the printers really good, especially all the cartridge related sensors (see below FYI notes). When you do calibration always do at least 3. I've had to replace a few color registration detection asm's but only 1 DC controller and not for that problem. Also use ALL HP or ALL 3rd party toner. NEVER mix and match. I use only OEM in my color test units, but I have customers who do. HP has designed their machines to change color quality when mixed with 3rd party toner. Dont forget to pull out the Jetdirect before you do the cold reset and you might want to leave it out until after you get the error to go away. Its always a good rule of thumb to disconnect and remove any optional equipment when troubleshooting a problem.

FYI: 54.7, 54.8, 54.9, or 54.10 error: Check the connections. Replace the drum-phase sensor for the indicated color. By the way the drum-phase sensor is the home position sensor and its located in the individual drum drive asm of the color. Try blowing that out.

54.11, 54.12, 54.13, or 54.14 error: Check the connections. Check the cartridge and replace it if necessary. Replace the color-registration detection assembly. After you replaced the color detection asm, did you still get the same error or only the 54.10? You may have more than one problem.

[rjcc]

Thanks prntrfxr. You know, the strange thing about this is that I've used oem's for the first printer that gave out, refurb's with the second in that gave out and switched companies with the third one using refurbs in it and it gave out, so they don't have the toner source in common and I never mixed oem's with refurbs. In answer to your question, the configuration page shows the same errors after replacing the alienation bars and the color registration assembly. With all 3 printers over a period of about 3 years apart, 2 refurbished units and one brand new from HP, you'd think it may be something I am actually doing to cause the problem. I just assumed there is a great list somewhere that shows the "common problems with the CLJ HP 4650 printer", but maybe not? I'll let you know what happens when I take your advice on checking the connections but it's not the color registration detection assembly or the cartridge. Thanks...

[rjcc]

Hey, redcow....what is the purpose of removing the JetDirect (stupid question?)

[redcow]

When your printer performs a COLD RESET, EVERYTHING is reset. including the JetDirect. Pull it so that the settings don't have to be reset. And besides you want to troubleshoot with machine at minimum configuration.

Are you using HP toners?

[rjcc]

ok....no refurbished.

[rjcc]

sorry, I meant - I'm only using remanufactured toner cartridges now.

[cs_steve]

Had a couple folks with your exact same problem reporting mixed results when they "reset the calibration values for the DC controller". Maybe it will work for you...

Here's a description from the Service manual on how to do this:

Resetting the calibration values for the DC controller
Performing an NVRAM initialization clears the calibration values from the formatter, but it does not clear the calibration values from the DC controller. If problems with color-plane registration persist after performing an NVRAM initialization, you should reset the calibration values for the DC controller.

To reset the calibration values for the DC controller
1 Open the top cover.
2 Press and hold the engine test switch on the left side of the printer for several seconds. (You need a pointed object to reach inside the small hole and press the switch.)
3 Close the top cover, and observe the control-panel display. If the message Performing Calibration appears, the reset was successful.

After you reset the DC controller:
-- Perform another Full calibration (may have to try full calibrations up to 3 times).
-- Follow up with another Cold Reset.

[rjcc]

Thanks! I will try that and let you know. Any idea why that is happening on every 4650 like dominos? Also, when I did a cold reset on one of the printers, I was unable to use refurbished toner after that. Is that coincidence or is that one of the things that just will happen - and will the "disable cartridge check" clear that problem up?

[rjcc]

O - M - G!!! I couldn't do the NVRAM so I followed your instructions for resetting values for the DC controller and it worked! Now I'll try it on the other printer and let you know if it works on that one also. THANKS!

[rjcc]

Worked with the others as well. Thanks again. I've been fighting this for nearly 3 years altogether from the first printer to the third one.

[cs_steve]

:-) Glad it worked .... don't know why this reset works for some and not for others ... but it might be a combination of you having already cleaned sensors/replaced the color registration detection unit, and then following up with the reset ...

[rjcc]

Actually, I only changed the Alienation bars and the color registration detection assembly in one of the three. In the other two I only did the procedure you gave.

[RandallFlagg]

To reset the calibration values for the DC controller
1 Open the top cover.
2 Press and hold the engine test switch on the left side of the printer for several seconds. (You need a pointed object to reach inside the small hole and press the switch.)
3 Close the top cover, and observe the control-panel display. If the message Performing Calibration appears, the reset was successful.


This worked amazing!!! Thank you for this, I searched for hours trying to find a cheap way to fix my free printer.

You likely saved me $100 in parts with this one post, which is why I had to create an account and wait the day for it to become active. I'd gladly donate $10 for the help!

Sorry to pull up an old thread, but it's still very relevant for me!

[cs_steve]

This worked amazing!!! Thank you for this, I searched for hours trying to find a cheap way to fix my free printer.

You likely saved me $100 in parts with this one post, which is why I had to create an account and wait the day for it to become active. I'd gladly donate $10 for the help!

Sorry to pull up an old thread, but it's still very relevant for me!

Thanks for the good words :-) We maintain this forum site to help folks out with printer issues and share knowledge; please keep our company in mind for any future printer parts needs. We carry pretty much everything for laser printers: compatible toner cartridges, maintenance kits, fusers, transfer kits, parts, and even complete refurbished printers. www.printertechs.com