HP 3600n smears only while duplexing

[mizdiagnos]

I have a 3600n that prints fine except when duplexing. The 2nd page smears.
There is also a noticeable squeaking noise as well.
I'm also not sure how to find Page count to see if PM kit is due
Please help!

[Big Al]

1) Press Menu
2) Press down arrow to highlight INFORMATION then press check key
3) Press down key to highlight PRINT CONFIGURATION then press check key

You should be able to download a free copy of the service manual from the Internet. Do a Google search. If the page count is high you might be
better off to replace the printer. These are not maintenance friendly printers, even if you are experienced. If this is your personal printer print the
document on the first side only, put the finished print back in the paper tray and print the back side. The service manual talks about image issues.
Please let us know what you find.

Al

[cs_steve]

This could be any of these 3 parts: either a worn-out transfer belt , a failing toner cartridge, or a fuser.

On this model, there is a Diagnostics menu --> and under that menu, Disable Cartridge Check. If you choose that option from the menu, this special Diagnostics mode allows you to remove any of the toner cartridges and still print a test page through the printer. I would remove one cartridge at a time, print a test page with duplexing, and see if the streaking or noise goes away with a certain cartridge removed. It could be more than 1 cartridge as well. If you can see a certain dominant color is streaking (like Cyan or Magenta) then it's probably that cartridge. Do this test to be sure.

If the streaking remains through all the different cartridges being tested/removed, then it's either your transfer belt or fuser. The transfer belt is the shiny black film-looking belt that you see when you fold down your front door. Inspect that belt for heavy wear; see if you see heavy scratching that matches up with those streaks, or perhaps a lot of toner accumulated on it.

Finally, you can do a halfway test to see if it is your fuser. Basically, run a test page through on duplexing, and wait until it starts printing on the second side (you may have to try this a couple times to time it just right), and then open up the front door as it's printing the second side, to freeze the printing. Examine the page, it will be sitting somewhere in front of the toners, on the transfer belt, and it hasn't entered the fuser for the 2nd time yet. Look for streaking at this point, and if you see the streaking, you can probably rule out your fuser because it hasn't entered the fuser for the 2nd time yet.