How to Remove the Capping Station Cable and Fix Ink Flow Issues in Your Printer

Question:

I’m having trouble taking of the capping station go from the motherboard both, it isn’t clear exactly how it is separating. You mentioned small plastic latches, but I don’t see anything like that on my setup. I’m hoping you could please find some pictures of my motherboard up here for reference, and tell me what I should be looking for. Also, I see some resistance in tubes 2 and 3 but no vacuum. Is this something I need to worry about, and how do I correct it?

Answer:

 Disconnecting the Capping Station Cable from the Motherboard

The capping station cable is a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector which has a small plastic latch that locks the cable into the motherboard. Here’s how you can remove it:

1. Find the connector — look for the flat, ribbon-like cable that runs from the capping station to the motherboard. This cable is typically a white or light blue color and has metallic contacts on it.
2. Find the latch – The latch can typically be found at the bottom of the connector, at the point where the cable inserts into the motherboard. It is usually black or brown and may be difficult to find if you are unfamiliar with these connectors.
3. Instead of yanking on the cable, lift the latch upward so that it does not catch. This latch might be a little tab that flips up, or a lock that slides forward (again, depending on your printer model).
4. Pull the Cable Out – The cable should slide out easily once the latch is lifted. If you’re still having trouble with removal, make sure you’re lifting the latch in the right direction, as some models use different mechanisms.

If you don’t see a latch, your printer might use a friction-fit connector, where the cable just pulls straight out. If it does, hold it down evenly to not damage the cable (the big black wire) or motherboard. Never pull the cable off at an angle, as it can damage the system.

Resistance in Tubes 2 and 3:

So, you said tubes 2 and 3 had some resistance but no vacuum, and the other tubes were functioning properly. A little resistance while pulling the tubes through as you can expect, but a vacuum means there are a few things that could have gone wrong:

1. Partial Clog – Tubes 2 and 3 might have a partial blockage that is stopping full suction. You mentioned soaking the manifold, which can be helpful in clearing some of these clogs, but make sure you test the tubes after you finish the soaking process to see if the suction improves.
2. Capping Station – a diaphragm membrane may not be sealing correctly over those channels which will affect suction. If their seal is broken, air can leak inside the tubes, which stops the tubes from creating a reactive vacuum. Look at the capping station and double check that the membrane is all good and seated.
3. Air Leak – An air leak somewhere in the system can reduce suction or vacuum in the lines. Inspect the tubing for any wear or damage or any signs of it becoming disconnected.

If soaking the manifold resolves the clog and you don't notice any other resistance, check the tubes and their connections for cracks or leaks that may be impacting performance.

Fixing Your Printer Quickly:

However, I realize you need your printer working again as your business relies on it. Here’s what I recommend:

• Inspect the Connector – To inspect the connector closely, use a magnifying glass, or zoom in on the images you've shared. Scan for how it might lock — is there a latch?
• Test the Tubes Again – After Soaking test the tubes again and see if suction is better. If they work fine after doing this, the problem was a clog. That was preventing the vacuum.
• Hack – If you are in a hurry, you can manually pull (suck) ink through the lines using a large syringe or something to get something going whilst troubleshooting.

Or if you would prefer more hands-on instructions, we have phone consultations available as well where I can walk you through the troubleshooting process step-by-step, making sure you don’t do any more damage in the process.

Troubleshooting printers can often be tricky, mainly because the problem becomes hands-on. So, we cannot troubleshoot printers, make suggestions on how to fix them, etc. We provide a local evaluation and repair through our desktop diagnostic shop (BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service). Due to popular demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, your printer may not be able to drop it off for a couple of weeks.” They guide where you must be, repairing not only either a whole printer but also damaged parts. That said, we know our rates are not the lowest in the market. As such, we strongly advise you seek self-help through available online research. You can visit our YouTube Channel or look at Youtube. Use the search icon on the right-side of the menu bar to find specific videos. I get a ton of questions each day asking for a video on a specific subject. Considering the videos I made over the past nine years, it has been so long that it is hard to remember everything. So, the best would be to only use YouTube search function. And YouTube may recommend related videos from other channels that could help you.