Printronix P5000 - Print Quality; Characters or dots are missing, smeared, too light, or too dark.

General Symptom List
101
Print Quality
Characters or dots are
missing, smeared, too light,
or too dark.
1. Check the forms thickness lever: if it is set too loose or too
tightly print quality can be affected. Set the forms
thickness lever to match the thickness of the paper being
used.
2. Check the paper tension between the tractors. Adjust the
right tractor so that it does not pull paper too tightly or
leave it too loose. The right tractor should hold the paper
under “slight” tension.
3. Inspect the shuttle frame assembly for print chaff, debris,
or ink residue that could be causing the problem. Clean
the shuttle frame assembly.
4. Check the ribbon for folds or tears. Check that the ribbon
guides are tight and the ribbon tracks straight across them.
Rewind or install new ribbon. If the ribbon does not track
straight across the ribbon guides, adjust the ribbon guides.
If the ribbon guides are loose, tighten them. If the ribbon
guides are damaged, replace them.
5. Power off the printer. Remove the shuttle cover. Remove
the shuttle frame assembly. Inspect the ribbon mask for
bends or deformation that adversely affect paper feeding.
Make sure the hammer bank cover assembly is correctly
installed on its mounting pegs. Check the shuttle frame
assembly for broken hammer springs, hammer tips, or
contaminations. Replace any damaged hammer spring
assemblies. Replace the hammer bank cover assembly if
it is deformed or damaged.
6. Check the platen gap. Adjust the platen gap if necessary.
7. Remove the paper guide assembly or pedestal top cover.
Make sure Connectors P105 and P108 have good
connections on the controller board. Make sure
connectors P04 and P05 have good connections at the
shuttle frame assembly. Reseat connectors P04, P05,
P105, and P108.
8. Power on the printer. If the problem still occurs, replace
the hammer bank logic cable and the hammer bank power
cable.
9. Power on the printer. If the problem still occurs, replace
the shuttle frame assembly.
10. Power on the printer. If the problem still occurs, replace
the power supply board.
11. Check the shuttle for electrical shorts (page 160).
12. Power on the printer. If the problem still occurs, replace
the controller board.
Table 3. General Symptom List
Symptom Solution