How to Fix a Procolored Epson A3 1390 Printer That’s Not Pumping Waste Ink: Troubleshooting Waste Tank Issues

Customer Question

My ProColor Epson A3 1390 printer isn’t draining the waste ink properly—the waste tank seems clogged, and it's no longer pumping out ink. Is there a way to replace this component? Additionally, could you please send me an estimate for the repairs?

Answer

Now, let’s address your issue with the Procolored Epson A3 1390 printer not ejecting waste ink properly.

What Might Be Going Wrong

When a printer’s waste ink isn’t draining correctly, a few likely culprits include:

1. Clogged Waste Ink Line

The most common reason your waste tank isn’t functioning is a blockage in the waste ink tubing. Waste ink flows through a small plastic line from the capping station to the waste pad or external tank. Over time, especially with DTF or pigment inks, these lines can clog with dried ink or debris.

Fix: Try flushing the waste ink line with cleaning solution or warm water. You may need to disconnect the tubing to do this thoroughly. If flushing doesn’t restore proper flow, the tubing may need to be replaced entirely.

2. Faulty Waste Ink Pump

If flushing doesn’t help, the waste ink pump itself may have failed. This part is responsible for creating suction and drawing waste ink out of the capping station.

Fix: Replacing the pump is generally straightforward if you’re comfortable opening your printer. You can reference teardown videos or contact a repair technician.

3. Malfunctioning Capping Station

Another common issue is a capping station that’s clogged or no longer forming a proper seal with the printhead. This would prevent the suction mechanism from working, halting the waste ink removal.

Fix: BCH Technologies offers several resources to help with this:

• Removing and Installing the Capping Station (https://youtu.be/_cZEkmgIZYc)

• Unclogging the Capping Station (https://youtu.be/WbY_6O1-w2c)

• Capping Station Maintenance (https://youtu.be/5yjq3ZN0qv8)

• Repairing the Capping Station (https://youtu.be/5UC2IMu9V90)

• Rewiring Capping Station Tubes (https://youtu.be/J9im3s8UJfo)

If you need a deep dive into how the capping station works, we also offer a comprehensive video breakdown on our website (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/video-capping-station-assemble-disassemble-guide-for-l1800-1390-artisan-1430-and-1400).

Custom Support for Procolored Models

Since the Procolored version is a third-party conversion based on the Epson 1390, it doesn't follow Epson's OEM configuration exactly. Unfortunately, we don’t have an off-the-shelf repair package for that variant.

However, we do provide custom estimates! Please email us at support@bchtechnologies.com and include:

• Photos or short video clips of your printer

• Close-ups of the waste tank, tubing, and capping area

• Any observable issues, like error messages or pump noise

This will help us understand the situation better and provide a tailored recommendation and estimate.

You also mentioned a screeching sound—if that’s part of the issue, these videos may help:

• Screeching Sound Fix Part 1 (https://youtu.be/MjArYM-QnfU)

• Screeching Sound Fix Part 2 (https://youtu.be/TNOG_1TtN6g)

Additional Support Options

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thanks again for reaching out, and we hope this information helps you get your printer back up and running!