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Mutoh VJ 1614 - Overload condition in CR motor

C

CMI Signs

New Member
My Mutoh VJ 1614 gives the following error: E074 - CR2 overcurrent

If the carriage is in the docking station, as soon as I turn it on it runs through a complete clean cycle, then attempts to read the media. When it gets to the start of the media, it gives this error message.

If I release the carriage from the docking station and start the machine with the carriage in the middle of the machine, it will attempt to take the carriage back to the docking station (as it should), but it will only move .5" to 2" to the right (the closer to the docking station, the further it will move) but it makes sort of a dragging noise, then the head sort of shudders to a stop and the error message (with beeping and flashing lights) comes back.

When the machine is off, I can move the carriage back and forth the entire way with no issues - it never makes the dragging noise.

I have cleaned the encoder strip (T Fence) and it looks completely OK - no apparent marks or ink or scratches on it. Also, since the head doesn't always stop in the same place, does this indicate it is not the strip?

As a side note - the locking mechanism that keeps the carriage tight to the capping station when not in use broke several months ago, which I realize compromises the print head, but this isn't my current issue, and the machine has worked fine without this part for quite a while, but this is why I am able to move the head back and forth to see that it moves freely when the machine is not on.
 
G

guitarguy69

New Member
Have you inspected the CR Belt for fraying or broken belts within the entire piece?
Have you run an endurance test within the utility mode?
 
FatCat

FatCat

New Member
If you are hearing a "dragging" noise then something is physically happening to put drag on the carriage. I would thoroughly clean all 4 points of contact on your rails, double check you don't hear any squeaks or grinding of the bearings on the carriage assembly. (Those can and do go out.) I would also open all the covers, make sure the safety switches are tricked (use screwdriver, etc) into thinking they are closed and closely watch the printer when it goes through these cycles. If you are hearing a noise each time the error comes, something, somewhere is happening - you just need to figure out what.
 
Solventinkjet

Solventinkjet

DIY Printer Fixing Guide
The CR motor connects to a speed reduction belt which connects to the steel belt driver. On older machines I have seen the tension between the speed reduction belt and motor become loose which causes it to spin out. This causes the head to shutter and the machine thinks the motor is freaking out. Loosen the screws that hold the motor in, push the motor to the back of the machine tightening the speed reduction belt, and then tighten the screws. See what happens.
 
C

CMI Signs

New Member
Improved, but not fixed ...

VanderJ said:
The CR motor connects to a speed reduction belt which connects to the steel belt driver. On older machines I have seen the tension between the speed reduction belt and motor become loose which causes it to spin out. This causes the head to shutter and the machine thinks the motor is freaking out. Loosen the screws that hold the motor in, push the motor to the back of the machine tightening the speed reduction belt, and then tighten the screws. See what happens.
Click to expand...


VanderJ -- I loosened those screws and pushed the motor back as far as I could. Now the head does much more than just move an inch or two, but, it still gives the error message while trying to run left and right to verify the media. This is fantastic news to me, as it's the first action I've taken that has changed anything at all. Does this indicate to you that the motor is bad, or maybe just that the reduction belt needs to be replaced? It doesn't really shudder in the same way before it dies now, just reads the right edge, then the left edge, then gives the error code when it is moving back to the center of the media.

Thank you so much for your assistance.
 
Solventinkjet

Solventinkjet

DIY Printer Fixing Guide
No problem! It could definitely be the belt. They just wear out over time. You may have also just tightened it too much. Play around for a little to see if you can get it going. I'd start with the belt before moving on to the motor. In 5 years I have never personally experienced a motor failing on any brand machine and I troubleshoot CR errors at least twice a week. Here is a link to the belt on our site: Speed Reduction Belt - It is an OEM Mutoh part and we ship same day before 4:00pm mountain time.
 
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guitarguy69

New Member
Just replaced a motor on one of our machines today. It started out a squeak and then froze up. You can definately tell if its the motor if you spin it by hand with the belt off.
Caused a lot of CR Errors in the past few days.
And belts are cheap.
 
C

CMI Signs

New Member
Success

The CR Speed Reduction Belt officially fixed our problem. We are up and printing again, and all is right in the world once more.
 
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