Blurry Prints and Misalignment: Troubleshooting Carriage Motor and Capping Station Issues

Question:

Could a failing carriage motor cause my printhead misalignment and blurry test prints? I’ve tested both the Epson L805 printhead with the conversion board and the Epson 1390 printhead, but I’m getting the same results. Could the issue be related to the capping station? Also, do you have a video on checking the carriage motor and capping station? My printer requires the breakout board to function correctly, but the main problem is that the L805 head does not align properly—resulting in blurry prints.

Answer:

Possible Causes of Print Misalignment and Blurry Prints

From the image and video you provided, it appears that your printer is producing double images, which suggests one of the following issues:

1. High-Speed Printing or Bi-Directional Printing Enabled

If your printer has high-speed or bi-directional printing turned on, it will print from left to right and properly to left. However, if your central carriage rod is not perfectly parallel to the platen, each pass may not align correctly—causing a "ghosting" effect or blurry prints.

Since you recently removed and reinstalled the central rod, this misalignment is possible. Try turning off bidirectional printing in your printer settings to see if that improves the output. If the problem persists, check that the central rod is appropriately aligned with the platen.

2. Carriage Movement Restriction (Tube Tension or Rail Friction)

If the ink tube is too tight, it can restrict carriage movement, leading to inconsistent positioning of the printhead. Similarly, if the carriage rail lacks lubrication, it may not glide smoothly, causing minor misalignments in each pass.

To check this:

• Ensure the ink tube is not pulling too tightly when the carriage moves. Adjust if necessary.
• Apply lubricant to the carriage rail to reduce friction and allow smooth movement.

We couldn’t confirm this issue from the video you provided, but it’s worth investigating.

3. Carriage Motor Wear or Failure

If your carriage motor is going bad, it may struggle to move the printhead consistently, resulting in misalignment issues. Here’s how to diagnose this:

• Listen for unusual noises from the motor (grinding, clicking, or inconsistent movement sounds).
• Check if the carriage hesitates or stalls when moving across the rail.
• Test another working motor if available.

The carriage motor could be a factor since you’ve already tested both an L805 printhead with a conversion board and a 1390 printhead with the same results. However, rule out the alignment and lubrication issues mentioned above before replacing it.

4. Capping Station Issues

While the capping station is primarily responsible for keeping the printhead clean and primed, it could indirectly contribute to printing problems if it fails to maintain proper ink flow. If the ink isn’t correctly delivered to the printhead, it may cause uneven printing and blurriness. You can check this by running a nozzle check:

• The capping station may need cleaning or replacing if the nozzle check pattern is incomplete or distorted.
• Ensure that the wiper blade and pump function correctly, as they assist in maintaining ink flow.

Do We Have a Video on Checking the Carriage Motor and Capping Station?

Yes! You can find related troubleshooting videos on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). To locate specific videos, use the search function next to the "About" tab on our YouTube homepage and enter keywords like "carriage motor check" or "capping station troubleshooting."

Need Further Assistance?

Addressing printer issues can be complex due to the hands-on nature of troubleshooting. Unfortunately, we cannot provide remote repair services, but we offer an in-person evaluation and repair service at our BCH Technologies diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks to examine your printer.

Our services cover full printer repairs and specific component fixes, with clear guidance on the next steps. However, if our repair rates aren't ideal for you, we highly encourage self-troubleshooting through online research. Start by searching for relevant content on YouTube, where you might find helpful videos from us or other creators.

Again, thank you for reaching out and supporting our work. We appreciate your patience and look forward to helping you resolve this issue!