Epson L3160A Error FA04010 After FFC/FPP Cable Misplacement & Printhead Replacements: What It Means and What to Check Next

Question
My Epson L3160A was accidentally damaged after I misplaced the FPP/FFC cable. After that, everything went wrong. I tried cleaning the printhead with isopropyl alcohol and believe the head got damaged. Since then, I've replaced three printheads with no success. I also used an ultrasonic cleaner, but I suspect the heads may be short-circuiting. I replaced some transistors and everything seems fine now, but I'm afraid to test another head. Do you have any suggestions? Also, is it mandatory to write the printhead's serial number (SN/Head ID) to the EEPROM?

Answer

1) First correction: FA04010 is not an error code

FA04010 is the model number of the printhead used in the L3160A, not a fault or error being generated by the printer.

Because of that, the real issue is not an FA-series fault—but instead the electrical damage that occurred after the FFC/FPP cable was misplaced. Everything that happened afterward (multiple destroyed heads, suspected shorting, blown transistors) points to an electrical failure in the head-drive circuit, not to an Epson system error.

2) The FPP/FFC cable mistake can cause cascading electrical damage

Misplacing or misaligning the printhead cable is one of the most damaging mistakes on an EcoTank-class printer. A single moment of incorrect contact can:

• Short adjacent pins

• Send 42V drive voltage into a signal line

• Instantly blow a MOSFET or transistor in the head-driver section

• Damage the printhead’s internal flex circuitry

• Damage the carriage board (if your model uses one)

• Burn or weaken protective resistors/fuses

Even if you've replaced some transistors, it’s common for additional components to be weakened or partially shorted:

• A driver IC may still be failing under load

• A tiny burned trace may open as soon as the carriage moves

• A connector pin that “looks fine” may loosen when tension is applied

• A fuse-resistor network may be open but visually undamaged

This is why new heads keep dying—the underlying circuit issue has not been fully eliminated.

3) About cleaning: IPA and ultrasonic cleaning on this printhead model

The FA04010 is a piezo printhead design that is very sensitive to fluids and vibration.

Isopropyl alcohol soak risks:

• Removes lubricant from the nozzle plate

• Draws debris deeper into internal channels

• Can infiltrate layers and cause electrical leakage

• Can contribute to delamination in older/damaged heads

Ultrasonic cleaning risks (much higher):

This type of Epson head is not tolerant of ultrasonic cleaning. You can easily create:

• Micro-cracks in the nozzle plate

• Separation of internal piezo layers

• Electrical bridging or leakage paths

• Permanent nozzle failure

• Internal flex-bond fractures

So yes—your suspicion that the ultrasonic cleaner damaged the heads is absolutely valid.

4) Should you keep testing new heads?

Given the history:

• FFC misplacement

• Multiple destroyed FA04010 heads

• Transistor failure

• Suspected shorting

You should not install another head until the supporting electronics and cabling are confirmed healthy.

Before risking another FA04010 printhead, check the following:

A) Replace the FPP/FFC cable

Not inspect—replace.
FFC cables can be electrically damaged without showing visible burn marks.

B) Inspect the mainboard head connector

Look for:

• Darkened plastic

• Pushed-back pins

• Loose contacts

• Heat discoloration

Even a microscopic defect can destroy a new head.

C) Check or replace the carriage PCB (if present)

Some L3160A variants include a small board on the carriage. A failed component here will instantly take out a new head.

D) Confirm cable orientation

Many users unknowingly reverse the cable after a repair attempt. One backward installation = instantly dead head.

5) Do you need to write the printhead SN/Head ID?

No—Head ID writing is not required for the printer to function.

Writing the Head ID affects:

• Waveform calibration

• Dot placement tuning

• Anti-banding parameters

But it does not prevent the printer from printing.

If the printer has an electrical problem, writing the Head ID will not fix anything. Head ID programming is only relevant after the printer is electrically working and producing prints that need fine-tuning.

Additional note

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because so much of it is hands-on and depends on measurements, inspection, and controlled testing. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, step-by-step repair suggestions, or remote support for printer repairs.

We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility here:
printer repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service)
[https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]

Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served queue, and it can take a few weeks before we’re able to schedule your drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or only the mainboard, with clear instructions on how to proceed.

That said, we know repairs aren’t always economical, so we strongly recommend self-help through online research first. A great place to start is YouTube, especially our channel homepage:
BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies)
[https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]

Use the search icon near the “About” section—it’s the fastest way to find relevant videos among nearly a decade of content.