HP LJ4 prints stripes

	HP LJ4 prints stripes by alissepal (2/17/07 10:38 AM) reply	+ / -
Prints a pair of stripes the length of paper. When I clean the transfer roller they disappear for awhile but return within a couple of prints. Is it time for a new printer cartridge?

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by Anonymous (2/17/07 10:47 AM) reply	+ / -
Is it a rebuild toner? If, yes itīs possible that this failure comes from toner. Are length stripes also on the back of your print?

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by moe (2/17/07 10:49 AM) reply	+ / -
It would seem the wiper blade in the toner cartridge has failed. If you see the stripes on the drum surface, you'll need to replace the toner cartridge. The cartridges on this site http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/specials/toner/hp/S206 are brand new OEM. They aren't remanufactured. You can't beat the price. 1/2 of what they sell for at the Office supply stores.

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by alissepal (2/17/07 12:51 PM) reply	+ / -
It's not a rebuit toner cartridge but it has been in use for a couple of years & the there are no stripes on the back of the prints. If I look inside the toner cartridge there are two darker areas corresponding to the stripes on the prints but when I wipe the transfer roller the stripes disappear for several prints then reappear. Is it the toner cartridge that's going?

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by moe (2/17/07 2:03 PM) reply	+ / -
The ONLY function of the transfer roller is to impart a high voltage charge to the back of the paper, directly opposite the drum in the toner cartridge. This pulls down the oppositely charged toner onto the surface of the paper. That is all it does. You can clean it 'til the cows come home, but you are doing absolutely nothing to stop the toner from accumulating on the drum. That is caused by a failed wiper blade. Once the paper has gone by, it transfers off the drum onto the transfer roller since the wiper blade isn't cleaning it off the drum.

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by alissepal (2/19/07 10:51 AM) reply	+ / -
So is there a fix to the wiper blade or do I just replace the toner cartridge?

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by moe (2/19/07 12:38 PM) reply	+ / -
You can replace just the wiper blade. It all depends on how much toner is left in the cartridge and the overall condition of it. It's a little bit like putting gas into a car that doesn't run.

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by alissepal (2/21/07 3:58 AM) reply	+ / -
Well it sounds like the old addage, what came first the chicken or the egg. You don't know if there's toner in the cartridge unless you open it up, right? Where can I find the steps to replace the wiper blade & what caused it to go bad in the first place?

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by Stephen (2/21/07 6:33 AM) reply	+ / -
By the time you find a place to buy a single blade and pay for shipping, not to mention that you are likely to ruin the cartridge since you've never done one before, I would recommend buying a new cartridge: http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/specials/toner/hp/S206 To quote Moe they are "New OEM". Maybe you can get a cartridge and a blade from Moe, and a link to instructions to install the blade. Do you have access to a toner vacuum? Never vacuum toner with a regular vacuum, you need one with a special filter for toner.

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by moe (edited 2/21/07 8:34 AM) reply	+ / -
If you've handled thousands of toner cartridges, you can tell exactly how many copies are left. You just heft it or you can turn it on end and tap on the toner bin and listen for how hollow it sounds. When you get down to toner, the sound changes. I've got wiper blades and they are relatively easy to change on that cartridge. Stephen is right about nobody else willing to sell you a single blade. Minimum order is usually $50 anywhere else.

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by alissepal (2/21/07 10:02 AM) reply	+ / -
So then the lack of toner could be the cause, is that so?

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by moe (2/21/07 10:10 AM) reply	+ / -
No, as explained in the thread it is a worn out wiper blade. I was just telling you how to tell how much toner is left in the toner bin in the cartridge.

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by alissepal (2/21/07 10:44 AM) reply	+ / -
I can't tell by shaking if the toner is almost used up. I don't feel it sliding around inside so there must be plenty. Just wondering if it's anything I did to cause this. I use the blank side of old sheets for prints that aren't important, sometimes not the best quality & wonder if this could screw up the wiper blade or cause it to wear prematurely, any thoughts?

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by moe (2/21/07 1:44 PM) reply	+ / -
Age of wiper blade. I replace unused ones all the time in otherwise brand new toner cartridges that are several years old. They will fail in a few copies if left in.

	Re: HP LJ4 prints stripes by alissepal (2/22/07 1:23 PM) reply	+ / -
Seems to be working fine again

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