Chapter 5

Troubleshooting

5.1 Troubleshooting....................................................................................................5-1
5.2 Unit Level Troubleshooting .................................................................................5-3
5.2.1 Printer does not operate at power on................................................................................... 5-4
5.2.2 Error is detected ..................................................................................................................... 5-5
5.2.3 Failure occurs during printing .............................................................................................. 5-6
5.2.4 Printer does not feed the paper correctly ............................................................................ 5-7
5.2.5 Control panel operation is abnormal.................................................................................... 5-8
5.3 Unit Repair C206 PSB/PSE Board .......................................................................5-9
5.3.1 Unit Repair - C206 Main Board ............................................................................................ 5-11
5.4 Repair of the Printer Mechanism.......................................................................5-13
EPSON Stylus Color 400 Service Manual

5.1 Troubleshooting
The printer may exhibit different symptoms for the same problem, which makes troubleshooting more
difficult. This section, however, provides simple and effective ways to facilitate troubleshooting.
The following flowchart illustrates the main steps of the trouble shooting process.

START

Unit Level Troubleshooting

Unit Repair Unit Repair Unit Repair

(C206 PSB/PSE) (C206 Main) Printer Mechanism

Disassemble and Adjustment

END
Figure 5-1. Troubleshooting Process Flowchart

Table 5-1. Motor Resistance and Measurement Procedure

Motor Name Location Check Point Resistance
CR Motor CN6(C206 MAIN) 1-pin & 3-pin, 7.8 Ohms ±10%
2-pin & 4-pin
PF(Pump) Motor CN7(C206 MAIN) 1-pin & 3-pin, 7.8 Ohms•}10%
2-pin & 4-pin

Table 5-2. Sensor Check

Sensor Name Check Point Signal Level Sensor Status
Paper end sensor CN4 / 1-pin, 2-pin Open: less than 0.7 V Paper exit
Close: more than 2.4 V No paper
Carriage home CN5 / 1-pin, 2-pin Open: less than 0.7 V Home position
position sensor
Close: more than 2.4V Out of home position
ASF phase Sensor CN11 / 1-pin, 2pin Open: less than 0.7 V Home position
Close: more than 2.4 V Out of home position
Black cartridge CN8 / 1-pin, 18pin On: 0 V Black cartridge out
sensor
Off: more than 2.4 V Black cartridge exit
Color cartridge sensor CN8 / 2-pin, 18-pin On: 0 V Color cartridge out
Off: more than 2.4 V Color cartridge exit
Thermistor CN8 / 3-pin, 18-pin Analog data Change the VH voltage of
charge pulse for common
driver circuit

Rev. A 5-1
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

Table 5-3. Printer Condition and Panel Status

Indicators
Error status Recovery
Power Ink Out Ink Out Paper Out
(Black) (Color)
Paper Out --- --- --- On Load paper by pressing
load/eject button.
Paper jam condition --- Off Off Blink Eliminate a paper then press
load/eject button.
No Ink cartridge or Ink --- On --- --- Install a new black ink cartridge
end(black) by pressing load/eject button for
3-seconds.
No Ink cartridge or Ink --- --- On --- Install a new color ink cartridge
end(color) by pressing load/eject button for
3-seconds.
Maintenance request Blink Blink Blink Blink Change the waste ink drain
tank and reset the EEPROM.
Fatal error Blink On On Blink Turn on the printer and turn it
on again. If printer can not
recover, repair the suitable part.

5-2 Rev.A
EPSON Stylus Color 400 Service Manual

5.2 Unit Level Troubleshooting

When a problem occurs, you can identify the defective unit according to the symptoms exhibited.
The table below lists the symptoms of certain problems. Once the problem is identified, refer to the
flowchart that corresponds to the problem.

Table 5-4. Symptom and Problem

Symptom Problem Flowchart No.
Printer does not operate at •¡LEDs do not light up. Section 5.2.1
power on •¡Printer mechanism does not operate.
Error is detected •¡Error is indicated by LED indication. Section 5.2.2
Failure occurs during printing •¡Printing is not performed. Section 5.2.3
•¡Abnormal printing(missing dot, etc.)
•¡Print quality is poor
Printer does not feed the paper •¡No paper is fed. Section 5.2.4
correctly •¡Paper feed is irregular.
•¡Paper jam occurs.
Control panel operation is •¡No response to button access. Section 5.2.5
abnormal

Rev. A 5-3
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting
5.2.1 Printer does not operate at power on

START

Is AC
Input normal
power voltage
power supply.
normal? NO

YES

Is the Exchange the fuse.

fuse(F1) of Disconnect CN10 in
power supply
board the main board and
opened? YES turn the power on
again.
NO

Check output voltage NO Is the

of CN2 in the power fuse opend
supply board. again?
YES

Is the
output voltage NO
of power supply
normal?

YES
Exchange the power
supply board
Exchange the main
board.
Check the motor and
head. Refer to the
repair item of the
printer mechanism.

END

Figure 5-2. Flow Chart 1

5-4 Rev.A
EPSON Stylus Color 400 Service Manual

5.2.2 Error is detected

START

Check the error

message.(Refer to
Table5-3)

Is it carriage Turn off the printer,

error? and move the carriage
Yes by hand.

NO
Does the carriage
Exchange the ink- move smoothly? NO
No ink cartridge cartridge with new
error? one.
Yes Yes
NO
Check CR motor.
Maintenance Error Exchange the main
Yes Does error board if there is no
appear again? problem.

Exchange the waste NO

ink absorber and reset
the counter. Yes Is the problem
(Refer to 1.4.2) solved?

NO
Check ink cartridge
sensor and exchange Refer to 5.4
the head if it's ubnormal. Repair of the printer
mechanism.

END END

Figure 5-3. Flow Chart 2

Rev. A 5-5
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

5.2.3 Failure occurs during printing

START

Perform self-
test printing

Is printing
carried out
O.K? NO
YES
Is all
cables connected
Is printing Perform printing to the main
YES
quality adjustment. board?
normal? NO
YES (Refer to Chapter4)
NO
Connect cables
Perform cleaning

Is the
Is the Exchange the ink problem Refer to 5.4 Repair of
problem cartridge with new solved? the printer-mechanism.
solved? NO
NO one and perform
self-test. YES
YES
Is the
problem
Is the NO solved?
problem
YES solved?
YES
NO

Refer to 5.4 Repair of

the printer-mechanism. Replace the Main
board

Is the
problem
YES solved? NO

END END END

Figure 5-4.Flow Chart3

5-6 Rev.A
EPSON Stylus Color 400 Service Manual

5.2.4 Printer does not feed the paper correctly

START

Are
papers set
in the ASF
correctly? NO
Set the paper correctly

Does NO
the PF roller
and platen
rotate?
YES Is the
PF motor
running? NO
Remove any obstruction
in the paper path if YES Check the PF motor.
there is any. If there is no problem,
replace the main board.

Perform cleaning for

the roller of paper path.

Is the
problem
solved? NO
Refer to 5.4.Repair
YES
of the printer
mechanism.

END END

Figure 5-5. Flow Chart 4

Rev. A 5-7
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

5.2.5 Control panel operation is abnormal

START

Is the
control panel
connected
correctly? NO

YES
Connect the
control panel
correctly.

Is the
problem
solved?
YES
NO

Replace the control

panel.

Is the
problem
solved? NO

YES Replace the

main board.

END END

Figure 5-6. Flow Chart 5

5-8 Rev.A
EPSON Stylus Color 400 Service Manual

5.3 Unit Repair C206 PSB/PSE Board

This section describes the problems related to the power supply board(C206 PSB/PSE). The table below
provides various symptoms, likely causes, and checkpoints. The checkpoints refer to waveforms,
resistance, and other values to be checked to evaluate the operation of each component.

Table 5-5. C206PSB Power Supply Borad

Symptom Condition Cause Checkpoint Solution
F1 is open. Check F1 by using a Replace F1.
tester.

The printer +42V line is

does not dead.
operate at all.

Transformer coils Check the waveform at Replace T1.

are open. the drain of Q1.

Switching FET (Q1) Check drain side. Replace Q1.

is dead.

Feed back Check corrector side. Replace Q2

transistor(Q2, Q3) or Q3.
are dead.

+42 V line is Check following parts. Replace

abnormal. • ZD87,ZD83 suitable
• ZD51,ZD81•`ZD86 parts.
• PC1

Rev. A 5-9
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

Table 5-6. C206PSB Power Supply Board (Continued)

Symptom Condition Cause Checkpoint Solution
+5V line is IC51 (L4962E) is Check the oscillation(5 Replace
dead. dead. -pin) and switching (7- IC51.
pin) waveform of IC51.
(5-pin)

(7-pin)

5-10 Rev.A
EPSON Stylus Color 400 Service Manual

5.3.1 Unit Repair - C206 MAIN Board

This section describes the problems related to the main controller board(C206 main). The table below
provides various symptoms, likely causes, and checkpoints. The check points refer to waveforms,
resistance, and other values to be checked to evaluate the operation of each component.
Table 5-7. Repair of the C206 MAIN Board
Symptom Condition Cause Checkpoint Solution
The printer CPU does The reset Check the waveform of Replace IC8 or
does not not operate. circuit does not the +5V and /Reset signal IC9.
operate at all. operate. (IC8=5,1-pin/IC9=7,6-pin)

Control ROM is If you can not find the Replace IC1 or

not selected waveform at 2-pin of IC3, IC3.
correctly or it’s the IC1 is dead, and if you
dead. can not find it at 20-pin of
IC3, the IC3 is dead.
RAM is not If you can not find the Replace IC1 or
selected waveform at 29,14-pin of IC 4.
correctly or it’s IC4, the IC1 is dead, and
dead. if you can not find it at 28-
pin of IC4, the IC4 is
dead.
CRU2 is dead. Check the waveform at Replace the
27,28-pin of IC1. CRU2.

The carriage Carriage IC2 is dead. Check the waveform at Replace IC2.
does not motor does 72,73 and 75, 76 pin of
operate not operate IC14.
normally. at all.

IC14 is dead. Check the waveform at Replace IC14.

6-9 pin if IC14.

Rev. A 5-11
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

Table 5-8.Repair of the C206 MAIN Board (Continued)

Symptom Condition Cause Checkpoint Solution
Printing is Printing is not IC7 is dead. Check the trapezoidal Replace IC6,
abnormal. execute. waveform at 3-pin of Q7 Q7, or Q9.
on C206 main board.

IC2 is dead. Check the control signal Replace IC2.

of trapezoidal from IC2.
(at 80 pin of IC2)

Paper feed Paper feed IC2 is dead. Check the output Replace IC2
operation is motor does not waveform of at 55, 56,
abnormal. work. 57, 58 pin of IC2.

IC15 is dead. Check the output Replace IC15

waveform of at 6, 7, 8, 9
pin of IC15.

5-12 Rev.A
EPSON Stylus Color 400 Service Manual

5.4 Repair of the Printer Mechanism

This section provides instruction for repairing the printer mechanism. It describes various problems,
symptom, likely causes, checkpoints, and solutions. Select appropriate symptom from the table and
check each parts and its function as described in the checkpoint.

Table 5-9. Repair of the Printer Mechanism

Symptom Condition Cause Checkpoint Solution
Abnormal pump Abnormal PF Foreign substances Manually drive the Remove any foreign
mechanism motor operation are loaded in the PF platen drive gear substances.
operation when the gears. and check it if it
power is turned rotates normally.
on.
The PF motor is Check the inner coil Exchange the PF
defective. resistance and see motor.
(Refer to Table5-1) if there is any
disconnection of the coil.
Ink is not Used ink does not The pump tube is Check the tube Fix the crashed part
absorbed go through the crashed. visually. by the airgun.
or is poorly waste ink tube.
absorbed.
Capping rubber is Check the capping Replace the cap
damaged or rubber visually. mechanism.
deformed.
The tube is out of Check if the tube is out of Connect the tube
the cap. the cap visually. properly.
Pump bulb is not Check the bulb Replace the cap
closed at operation visually. mechanism.
absorption.
Abnormal carriage Abnormal carriage Foreign substance Check visually if Remove any foreign
operation. operation at power in the CR drive there is any substances.
on. gear. substances or not.
CR motor is Check the inner coil Replace the CR
defective. resistance and see motor.
if there is any
disconnection of the coil.
Abnormal carriage Carriage movement Check whether the Clean and lubricate
operation during is not smooth. carriage moves the carriage guide
printing. smoothly when axis.
moved manually.
Check tension of the Adjust tension
timing belt. mechanism or
exchange it.
Check if there is any Remove any foreign
foreign substances substances.
in the carriage path.
Printing is not The carriage Head FFC is out of Check if the head Connect the FFC
performed. moves, but no connection. FFC on the board or properly.
printing is carriage is connected
performed. surely.
The FFC is Check the FFC by using Replace the FFC.
disconnected a tester.
inside.
I/C is defective. Install a new I/C and Replace I/C.
perform the self-test.
Head unit is If the condition does Replace the head
defective. not improve even unit.
after 2or 3 times
cleaning operation,
replace the head
unit and perform the
self-test.

Rev. A 5-13
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting

Table 5-10. Repair of the Printer Mechanism (Continued.)

Symptom Condition Cause Check-point Solution
Print head surface is Perform the cleaning Perform the
Abnormal printing Only a particular dot not clean. operation several cleaning.
causes abnormal (dot missing) times and check
printing. printing.
The head unit is Perform the cleaning If condition does not
defective. operation several improve even after
times and check the cleaning, replace
printing. the head.
Capping absorber is Check the head Replace the head
touching the head absorber visually. absorber if it is
surface. deformed.
A dot is not printed Print head surface Perform the cleaning Perform the
occasionally. is not clean. operation several cleaning.
(dot-missing) times and check
printing.
The head FFC is Check the FFC by Replace the head
disconnected inside. using a tester. FFC.
The head FFC is out Check if the head Connect the FFC
of connection. FFC on the board or properly.
carriage is
connected surely.
The head unit is Perform the cleaning If condition does not
detective. operation several improve even after
times and check the cleaning, replace
printing. the head.
I/C is defective. Install the new I/C Replace I/C.
and perform self-
test.
Black specks or The head FFC is out Check if the head Connect the FFC
dots. of connection. FFC on the board or properly.
carriage is
connected surely.
The head unit is Check connection Replace the head if
detective. with the head FFC. there is no
connection problem
with the FFC.
A vertical line is not Bi-directional Perform Bi-D Refer to Chapter4.
aligned. alignment is not adjustment.
adjusted.
White line appears Head angle is not Perform head angle Refer to Chapter4.
in the image data. correct. adjustment.
Platen gap is not Perform platen gap Refer to Chapter4.
correct. adjustment.
Dot shooting Perform the cleaning Perform the
direction is tilted operation several cleaning operation.
because head times and check
surface is not clean printing.
I/C is defective. Install a new I/C and Replace I/C.
perform the self-test.
Head unit is Perform the cleaning Replace the head
defective. operation several unit.
times and check
printing.

5-14 Rev.A
EPSON Stylus Color 400 Service Manual

Table 5-11. Repair of the Printer Mechanism (Continued)

Symptom Condition Causes Checkpoint Solution
Abnormal paper Paper is not fed. Friction of the PF Check if the PF Clean the PF roller
feeding. roller. roller rotates when by the cleaning
paper is not fed. sheet. Replace the
PF roller if it does
not recover.
Abnormal operation Check movement of Replace ASF.
of the hopper. the ASF hopper
visually.
Malfunction of ASF Check if the ASF Replace gears of
drive change-over. gear rotates visually. the ASF drive
change-
over.
Friction of the PF Check if the PF Clean the PF roller
roller. roller slips during by the cleaning
paper feeding. sheet. Replace the
PF roller if it does
not recover.
Printer stops during Fatal error appears. ASF sensor is Check the signal Replace ASF
initialization. defective. level of the ASF sensor.
sensor.(Refer to
Table 5-2)
PE sensor is Check the signal Replace PE sensor.
defective. level of the PE
sensor.(Refer to
Table 5-2)
HP sensor is Check the signal
defective. level of the HP
sensor .(Refer to
Table 5-2.)
Head FFC is Check if the head Connect the head
disconnected. FFC is connected. FFC.

CR motor is Check the CR motor Replace the CR

defective. cable is connected. motor if there is no
problem in the cable
connection.
PF motor is Check if the PF Replace the PF
defective. motor cable is motor if there is no
connected. problem in the cable
connection.

Rev. A 5-15