Achi DTF Printer Troubleshooting: Ink Pump and Power Issues Explained

Question:
I recently encountered a problem with my Achi DTF printer. Initially, I had an issue with ink leaking and drying above the pump, so I replaced the pump. However, after replacing it, the printhead carriage violently bumped from side to side. Suspecting the cable connecting to the carriage was faulty, I purchased a replacement cable from your store. After installing the new cable, I've encountered another issue: the three front control buttons are not powering on, and there's a continuous beeping sound. What steps can I take to resolve this issue?

Answer:

Based on your detailed description, your printer has suffered from cascading electrical and mechanical failures initially stemming from the pump's ink leak. When ink leaks, they often don't remain localized—they can spray or spill onto critical components, causing significant secondary damage.

Here’s what likely happened:

  1. Initial Ink Leak: When the pump failed and leaked ink, some of that ink probably sprayed onto sensitive internal components, notably the printhead and the connecting Flat Flexible Cable (FFC).

  2. Carriage Bumping: Your erratic side-to-side movement typically indicates a damaged FFC cable or a compromised encoder sensor. Since you’ve already replaced the cable, the original issue might have involved ink contamination or damage beyond just the cable itself.

  3. No Power and Continuous Beeping: This new issue strongly suggests electrical damage extending beyond the cable, likely involving the printhead and possibly the mainboard. The absence of power on the front control panel and the continuous beeping typically point to a serious electrical short or malfunctioning mainboard.

Recommended Solutions:

  • Inspect the Printhead: Carefully examine the printhead for visible signs of ink contamination or short circuits. Unfortunately, once ink infiltrates electrical components like the printhead, it typically necessitates replacing the affected parts.

  • FFC Cable Recheck: Confirm that the replacement cable is securely and correctly seated. An incorrectly installed FFC cable can cause power distribution issues or short circuits.

  • Mainboard Assessment: Given your scenario, the ink spray is highly likely to have compromised your mainboard. Replacing the mainboard is often required to restore normal printer function.

Next Steps:

Addressing printer issues like these can be intricate due to their hands-on and electrical nature. Thus, we can't offer remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for detailed repairs. However, BCH Technologies provides an in-person printer evaluation and repair service. Due to high demand, our diagnostics are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, which might mean a few weeks’ wait before you can bring your printer in. Our repair service is designed to handle comprehensive printer repairs and targeted part replacements, accompanied by clear instructions on how to proceed.

We acknowledge that our rates might not be the lowest in the market. Therefore, we highly recommend exploring self-help options through thorough online research. A good starting point would be our YouTube channel homepage. Use the search feature next to "About" on the menu bar to find relevant videos. Given our extensive video library built over the past nine years, this method ensures you efficiently find the information you need. Additionally, YouTube may suggest other helpful videos from different channels.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding. Your support means a lot to us, and we wish you the best in resolving your printer issues.

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