Troubleshooting Epson Printer Error 000104 I/S PID Lock: Causes and Fixes

Question:

Epson I/S PID Lock Error code 000104 The Error message states that the IS Motor was not run. Why might this be happening, and how can I stop it?

Answer:

Decode 000104. I/S PID Lock

It can happen when the IS Motor (Ink System Motor) fails. The possible causes include:

Mechanical Overloaded—The ink system has a high load jam, and the motor is unable to work normally.

Gear Disengagement or Breakage—If any gears associated with the IS Motor or APG Drive become damaged or disengaged, the motor will not work correctly.

IS Encoder Sensor Reading Failure – The sensor is responsible for detecting that the motor is moving, but if it can not, the printer will take this to mean that the motor is not running.

A dirty IS Encoder Sensor scale – A dirty sensor scale can inhibit the encoder from reading correctly.

Damaged IS Motor Cable or Encoder Sensor FFC—A break, skew, or damage in the flat flexible cable (FFC) can disrupt the motor's functionality.

IS Encoder Sensor Fault—If the sensor itself is bad, it won't be able to detect movement.

IS Motor Damage – The motor can cease working due to an issue like a broken lead wire or an unattached connector.

Main Board Defect — A faulty main board may not send the appropriate signals to the IS Motor.

How to troubleshoot and fix the issue

Follow the steps below to ascertain the root cause and to offer the appropriate remedy:

Manual Check of the IS Motor Load—Attempt to turn the motor by hand and test for resistance. If it is, semi-automatic mechanical overload or a jammed waste station could be the problem.

Inspect Gear System—Inspect the Wheel Train of the IS Motor and the APG Drive for broken or Disengaged Teeth. Replace any damaged gears as needed.

Cleaning the IS Encoder Sensor Scale—If the encoder sensor scale is dusty or dirty with ink, you can also clean it to allow it to work normally.

Check cables and FFC connections — Check the IS Motor and Encoder Sensor cables for frays, bad connections, or visual damage. If necessary, replace them.

Wait For A Better Reviewed IS Motor – If the motor is defective, that would be your solution.

Replace the Main Board – If the other components look good and everything is working correctly, yet issues persist, the main board may not be replaceable.

Additional Notes

CN903 is connected to the IS motor or a motor with an encoder sensor on CN21 of the main board. This is in case more than one thing can go wrong: either the motor is not up and running or the sensor cannot sense its moment. If a stuck waste station is the root of the issue, you should fix that before further operation.

Printer issues can be a soul-crushing undertaking, owing to their tactile nature. So we can’t offer remote troubleshooting, tips, or help with printer repairs. Suppose you are located near our local diagnostic facilities. In that case, we provide an in-person evaluation and repair service with BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service), however with limited availability and an extremely high demand, we process our repairs on a first come first served basis, so you may experience wait times before we can book your printer in for service as well. We have clear instructions regarding what to do next from complete printer repairs to a specific part repair. That being said, we realize that our rates might not be the most affordable, so we suggest exploring self-help resources first.

We can help you with the process to search for the solutions online. Solution: A fantastic place to start is on YouTube, and (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) ), search the videos on our BCH Technologies YouTube Channel (the search tool is next to the "About" Section of our channel) searching by your issue. We have made hundreds of troubleshoot videos over 9 years and you will get the quickest results by doing a search within YouTube itself. YouTube might also suggest useful videos from other channels.

Again, thank you for contacting us. We thank you for your patience, and support, and we hope this guide resolves your Epson issue.