Epson Stylus Color Does not print Color

[Michael]

Hello, I have an Epson Stylus Color ESC/P2 Printer which is about five years
old, however it no longer prints in color, I have replaced the color
cartridge, and have run the printer through its cleaning cycle, however this
at best this would only allow me to print thin color bands for a few
seconds. I suspect that this is caused by dried ink someplace inside the
printer because of the way that the colors gradually clogged forming
banding, and at one time could be fixed by running several cleaning cycles.

A few weeks ago, this same printer would not print anything (color or black)
even after running several cleaning cycles, so I disassembled the printer,
removed the cartridges, and used q-tips and water to clean the bottom of the
print mechanism. In addition to this, I dripped small amounts of water into
the cartridge holder to try and dissolve ink dried in between where the ink
leaves the cartridge and where it sprays on to the paper.

Between these two procedures I was able to remove A LOT of dried ink from
the print head. However, this same procedure does not seem to work
long-term for the color cartridge.

How can I make my color printer print color? (BTW - it is not software it
is a problem with the print head / ink system)

Also, on this printer when you run a cleaning cycle the excess ink is
absorbed by small sponges under the print mechanism, this then pumps the ink
into large 5" sponges inside the front of the printer. However, these
sponges are beginning to become saturated (the ink never seems to dry). Is
it safe to remove these, dip them in water, let them air dry, and reinsert
them into the printer. If water is a bad idea, I would assume that it is
safe to remove them to air dry, correct?

Thanks in advance,

Michael
dbqse...@dshs.com
(please email if possible)

[Al Anderson]

Hi,

You are on the right track. Try dripping windex (better yet - use our head
cleaning kit) into the channel (can't think of its proper name right now) that
the ink normally follows and then try printing. If necessary, let it set
overnight with the windex in it.

Yes, you can remove the sponges - just be careful of the springloaded tiny head
protectors that come up and cover the printhead when in home position. If you
knock them out of position, you've got problems. Clean with water and air dry is
fine.

Cheers & Happy Printing,
Al
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Michael wrote:

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[Michael]

I have only one question before I do this:

I am hesitant to run windex through my printer. Is this safe for the
printer / print heads? Do I need to do any special clean-up proceedures to
the print head / ink channel, or will all of the windex evaportiate?

oh, and BTW - does it matter which scent of windex I use (origional, country
fresh, etc)

Thanks,
Michael

"Al Anderson" <ref...@stny.lrun.com> wrote in message
news:3887171F...@stny.lrun.com...