DXZ 11 DTF Printer Carriage Slams Left After Cleaning: Two Flashing Lights, Won't Move to Ink Pad (Right Side)

Question: After we cleaned the printhead on our DXZ 11 DTF printer, the printer won't travel over the ink pad/capping area on the right anymore. As soon as we turn it on, the carriage shoots hard to the left and then two lights flash. We've watched most of your videos but we're still stuck. Do you have any suggestions or can you quote a repair? We're a small family-run café and with the holidays coming up we really need to get this resolved.

Answer: 

Based on your description-carriage immediately slams to the left on power-up, won't return to the right-side ink pad/cap station, and two lights flash-this behavior most commonly points to a positioning/sensing failure. In plain language: the printer is trying to "home" the carriage, but it cannot correctly read where the carriage is, so it throws an error and stops.

The most likely causes (and why this happens right after cleaning)

Your proposed diagnosis is exactly where I would start:

1. The timing belt is not correctly seated through the encoder sensor, or

2. The encoder's data cable (encoder sensor cable) is not plugged in / not seated fully

Here's why those two are so important:

• The timing belt is what physically moves the carriage left and right.

• The encoder system (encoder strip + encoder sensor, or on some designs an encoder disc depending on axis) is what tells the printer "where" the carriage is at any given moment.

• If the printer can't read position feedback, it may drive the carriage until it hits a limit, jerk hard to one side, then lock out with warning lights.

When people do head cleaning, they often:

• move the carriage manually,

• remove covers,

• wipe near the encoder strip,

• bump the belt,

• or slightly tug a cable while reaching into the right-side cap/ink pad area.

Any of those can cause a belt/encoder alignment issue or a loose connector.

What "two flashing lights" usually means on DTF-converted Epson-style platforms

Many DTF printers (including DXZ-style builds) are based on Epson mechanics or Epson-like carriage systems, and the "two flashing lights" pattern typically indicates a fatal carriage/CR (carriage return) error, a home-position error, or a sensor feedback error.

Because manufacturers map lights differently, the exact "error code" may not appear as a number on the printer itself. Instead, the "code" is effectively the two flashing LEDs indicating a carriage/sensor fault state. If your printer software on the computer shows a specific code/message (examples: "CR motor error," "carriage jam," "encoder error," "fatal error," etc.), that wording is important. But even without a numeric code, the symptom set strongly matches a belt/encoder feedback failure.

What to inspect first (highest-probability checklist)

Below are the most common, high-impact items that cause the "slam left + flashing lights" situation:

1) Timing belt path and seating (especially near the encoder sensor area)

• Make sure the belt is riding straight and not twisted.

• Confirm it is properly engaged and not slipping.

• On some platforms, the belt must pass a specific way through/near the sensor assembly. If it's routed incorrectly or popped out of a guide, the carriage can behave wildly.

Clue: If the carriage feels "free" in one direction or seems to jump teeth, it can't maintain proper tracking.

2) Encoder strip condition and alignment (don't clean it aggressively)

Most carriage systems use a thin transparent encoder strip with tiny markings. If it is:

• smeared with ink/cleaner residue,

• scratched,

• detached from its anchor points,

• or not running cleanly through the encoder sensor slot,

...the printer will lose position feedback.

Important caution: Over-cleaning the strip or wiping it with the wrong solvent can make it worse. A gentle, careful approach is safer than heavy scrubbing.

3) Encoder sensor cable (data cable) not fully seated

This is probably the #1 "it worked before cleaning, now it doesn't" issue:

• A connector may look plugged in but is not fully seated.

• A cable may be pinched under a cover.

• A connector may be inserted slightly crooked.

If the encoder sensor isn't powered/connected, the printer has no idea where the carriage is-so it can shoot to a side immediately and then throw the flashing-light error state.

4) Carriage not reaching the right-side cap station (ink pad area) because it's "blind"

You mentioned it "will no longer go over the ink pad to the right." That strongly supports the idea that the printer fails its initial positioning routine before it can even complete the normal right-side capping/parking behavior.

5) Less common but possible: damaged encoder sensor or damaged strip

If the strip got nicked, creased, or contaminated, or if the sensor itself is failing, you may see:

• repeated slamming behavior on every power-on

• inability to initialize even after reseating cables

What this is usually not

It's less likely (based on your exact symptom timing) to be:

• a printhead electrical failure,

• a clogged head,

• a pump/cap issue,

• or an ink system problem.

Those issues typically affect printing quality or ink flow-not immediate carriage runaway and LED fault on startup.

Printer problems can be complicated because they're hands-on: small physical alignment issues, belt routing, sensor seating, and cable connections can create dramatic failures that are hard to confirm remotely. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, repair suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service at our local diagnostic facility: BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we handle repairs on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before you can drop the printer off. Our services are designed to repair either the full printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. We also recognize our rates aren't the most economical, so we strongly encourage self-help research first.

You can start with YouTube-especially our channel homepage BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the right side of the menu bar to search for terms like "encoder strip," "encoder sensor," "timing belt," "carriage slams," or "two lights flashing." I receive many messages each day asking for the exact video for a specific issue, and after years of uploads it's difficult to remember every title-YouTube search is the fastest route, and it may also recommend useful videos from other channels.

Thank you again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. I truly hope it's something simple like a belt/encoder seating issue so you can get back up and running for the holidays as soon as possible.