Lexmark T654, T652, T650 Grey Background

 

Diagnostic Tips for the Lexmark T654, T652, T650 Grey Background

One of the main calls I get on Lexmark machines is background or poor print quality. Obviously, there is a lot of different things that can cause background print. Below I will discuss a few of the more common cause I see and a few of the not so common causes of the  Lexmark T654, T652, T650 Grey Background situation.

Situation
Lots of times when I get on site and find a machine that is printing grey background it typically is on one side or the other of the page. Sometimes I will find it down the middle. In most cases the background goes vertically down the whole page.
LEX40X0127 – Lexmark 40X0127 Charge Roll Assembly

Lexmark T654, T652, T650 Grey Background

Possible Causes
People ask me what causes this issue. The two main things I see cause this problem are third party / compatible toners and third party charge rollers. I don’t know how to put this. My customers that use non OEM toner generally need the charge rollers replaced more often. I think that they leak toner a little. On some cartridges if you take them out you will always see a light coating of toner on the surface of the drum. I think that it just builds up quicker on the charge roller than an OEM toner would. If I replace a charge roller I always check the toner for this problem if it is a compatible. I like to replace both at the same time. Compatible charge rollers are the same way. The just don’t last as long and cleaning them doesn’t always work. Personally, when I order in a charge roller or a PM kit that is one of my sticking points. OEM parts.

Solution

1. Due to the fact the problem looks like a failed cleaning blade I like to take the cartridge out, turn it over, and see if toner is being left on the drum surface after it should be cleaned. If possible, replace the cartridge with another one.
2. Clean the inside of the machine. Check cartridge contact points. Reseat the charge roller.
3. The old charge rollers where nice in the fact that you could take the roller out and switch it around. If the grey background switched sides you knew you had a bad charge roller. However, these new ones were meant to go in one way. If you put it in the opposite way you are not going to like the results. Therefore, when I think I have a faulty charge roller I take a damp cloth and wipe clean a very small area of the charge rollers on the side that is giving me the grey background. Typically, if steps one and two hasn’t worked then this step will start giving you results.

Now, on OEM charge rollers, I’ve been able to clean them with water and they still will maintain good print quality. If you do attempt to do this it might take 30 to 50 pages to restore print quality after cleaning. It’s kind of like cleaning a drum or belt surface. However, third party charge rollers I have had issues with when I’ve tried to clean them. Usually, cleaning them will get rid of the grey background but the machine doesn’t print worth crap till I can get a replacement in. That’s why I recommend just cleaning off a small area at first. If the problem goes away in that area then you know your on the right track. You can then attempt to clean the whole thing or tell the customer you are getting a charge roller and will be back when the part comes in. Personally, I tend to keep a good used one in my car stock.

4. If cleaning the charge roller doesn’t help then you might have a contaminated transfer roller or HVPS problem. Typically, if it is a HVPS issue the whole page will have background. The first thing is always the cartridge, the second is the charge roller, and then either transfer roller or HVPS. I haven’t replaced a transfer roller for this but I have everything else – Toner, Charge Roller, HVPS.

Click on the link below for the charge roller replacement instructions

Lexmark T654, T652, T650 Charge roller Replacement

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