Printer with fading/banding prints

[inet3]

I have a HP M3027 printer that works fine with regular text, but if there are images or lots of coverage, it has a banding issue. It's almost as if when it tries to print something heavy it can print a little of it then it gives up and fades out.

Anyone know if this is a transfer roller issue or something else?

I am attaching a test print, and as well as the print of what is supposed to be a 100% black page (which comes out banded).


Thank you!!!

111112

[Big Al]

Some questions that may clarify the problem: 1) Are you using a genuine HP cartridge or a refill? 2) Is this machine under warranty? 3) Have you tried another toner cartridge? 4) Is there any loose toner around the transfer roller, that is the black spongy roller that contacts the toner cartridge image drum? 5) Can you get to the heated roller in the fuser and see if it looks OK?

Al

[inet3]

Oof late reply sorry! Finally had a chance to come back to it.. But if anyone can help would really apreaciate it!

Some questions that may clarify the problem:

1) Are you using a genuine HP cartridge or a refill? Genuine
2) Is this machine under warranty? No
3) Have you tried another toner cartridge? Yes and from another identical printer
4) Is there any loose toner around the transfer roller, that is the black spongy roller that contacts the toner cartridge image drum? No (Put in a new transfer roller too)
5) Can you get to the heated roller in the fuser and see if it looks OK?
I've pulled out the cartridge before it hits the fuser and the banding is there before it gets to the fuser, so I'm going to rule out the fuser.

The pattern of the banding does not seem to be in any set intervals (and there's no banding if the print coverage is light). Do you think it's got to be power issue related where it doesn't have enough power to put the toner on the paper? If so what could the most common culprit? Some board or power supply?

[Big Al]

The two most likely culprits are the contacts that mate the cartridge to the printer and the high voltage power supply. The contacts are on the left side as you look into the printer. Check them for damage, corrosion or toner contmination. Toner is plastic powder and can block current flow. Beyond that is the high voltage power supply and possible but unlikely is the formatter. The formatter drives the laser.

You should be able to download the service manual for free. Do a google search.

What does it do when you print a test page from the control panel?

Please let us know what you find!

Al

[inet3]

So we checked the contacts and that was fine. End up ordering a high voltage power supply and installed the new board.

Same issue, except maybe it's printing a little lighter if anything else.

Was really hoping that the high voltage was the culprit. It was quite a task to get to it!




The two most likely culprits are the contacts that mate the cartridge to the printer and the high voltage power supply. The contacts are on the left side as you look into the printer. Check them for damage, corrosion or toner contmination. Toner is plastic powder and can block current flow. Beyond that is the high voltage power supply and possible but unlikely is the formatter. The formatter drives the laser.

You should be able to download the service manual for free. Do a google search.

What does it do when you print a test page from the control panel?

Please let us know what you find!

Al