Canon Pixma 9000 "An ink tank error has occurred" -- replacing=no help

[ivanalbright]

Canon Pixma Pro 9000 MK II, using generic CLI-8 cartridges

A couple of days ago, I was printing out about 50 small pages of B&W text at a time. At one point, I replaced the black ink cartridge, then started up another 50 pages. I come back to see that the generic cartridge must have been faulty -- no black ink printed out for any of those pages. I figured okay, fine, that happens sometimes with these cheap / generic cartridges, so I popped in another new generic black cartridge. Usually this would be fine and it would start printing up normally again.

However, I am now getting the error "An ink tank error has occured. Open the printer's cover and replace the ink tank on which the ink lamp is off." However the ink lamp is not off--all cartridges are lit. Anyway, thinking I just had an unlucky second defective cartridge, I put in another black cartridge. Same problem. I have now tried over 6 different black cartridges, from 3 different generic sellers/brands. All are giving me the above error / printer status shows as "an ink tank cannot be recognized."

At one point, the error seemed fixed after I had powered off the printer for a while, and I was able to print off about 100 more pages. However then it returned as that black cartridge became empty and I can't get it to go away.

What I've tried:
Verified the black is causing the problem by putting in the ink tanks one at a time to check for the error
6+ new black cartridges, from several different sources (to verify its not just a defective batch of cartridges)--all causing the error
Cleaned the chip contacts on the printhead assembly with isoprobyl alcohol and a q-tip
Powered off printer (unplugged) for 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and a day
Removed printer from windows "Devices and Printers" area so it would reinstall itself

Any thoughts on where to go from here? My only thought is that somehow the contacts on printhead assembly are shorted or damaged, though I cleaned them carefully (with the power off) and they do not appear to be damaged. Thanks for any help!

edit: I should add that I have two of these printers and I have tested some of these cartridges with the other (working) printer, and they work fine there...

Basically, what I think happened is something went wrong with the chip contacts on the printhead assembly after printing for a bit with a bad cartridge, so it now isn't properly accepting cartridges in the black ink slot. Is there any way to reset that (or something along those lines?)

 

[The Hat]

You certainly have a bobby dazzler there especially the fact the cartridge led stays on. (Very unusual)
Youll need to change / alter the cycle of the continued errors by introducing another scenario / error to break the cycle in some way.

Try removing all of the cartridges and the print head, close the lid then power off the printer and remove the USB cable.

Wait about five minutes and plug in the USB cable first then power on the printer,
then insert the print head in the normal way and close the lid again.

Wait a minute then install just one of the end cartridges say yellow, close the lid and read the on screen message.

This time insert the troubled black cartridge, close the lid and check the results,
if it accepts the black in the proper position then proceed and install the rest of your cartridges.

If its still giving the same error message, remove and place the black cartridge in the magenta slot beside the yellow,
close the lid and then check the error message,
if it reports the wrong cartridge installed then do a reverse and place it back in its correct position.

If same error is still reported then can you beg, borrow or steal an OEM black cartridge from someone or
insert one of your old used ones, (Even empty) just so you can force a different response.

Unusual errors sometimes require perqulier methods to resolve them and even then they dont always work..

 

[ivanalbright]

Unusual errors sometimes require perqulier methods to resolve them and even then they dont always work..

Okay, I followed the steps you proposed and as of now it has accepted a black ink cartridge and is working! I am cautious however, because it did start working like this once before, and only worked until that cartridge ran low. I will send several print jobs through right now and see what happens.

A little extra information too, from when it was still giving the error: if I removed all of the ink cartridges, then put in only the black ink cartridge, it would correctly show the black ink cartridge as recognized and the other cartridges as missing (normal operation). But as soon as all cartridges were reinserted, it would give the cartridge not recognized error. Very strange...

Anyway, fingers are crossed that it will continue to work. I will post again in this thread if the problem returns. Thanks again for the help!

 

[ivanalbright]

Error has returned. Was able to print all the way until that black ink cartridge ran out. I got the standard cartridge might be low message as normal, then tried replacing with a new tank.

Right after putting in another tank, I'm getting the same error. I then tried replacing the tank I just removed (the one that worked just fine seconds before and printed until empty) and it is still giving me the "ink tank error" / "ink tank not recognized" instead of an ink level low.

This is the second time this happened. Ink tank error no matter what, then seemingly randomly an ink tank will work until empty, then it won't accept any new ink tanks, even the one that just worked and ones that work in my other printer fine. What the heck is going on?

 

[barfl2]

have you tried an OEM cart? or consider refilling OEM CLI-8's are freely available and easy to refill. Not the answer you are looking for I know but original OEM's with genuine chips might solve the problem.

 

[jtoolman]

Exactly! Why in the world would you chose to use compatible carts for your 9000 MKII when CKi-8s are so easy to refill and reset. Image Specialists inks are available through many providers in the USA and the UK.
You are experiencing a really strange chip recognition problem that I can only guess is due to the cheap compatible carts carts regardless of maker.

Canons love OEM carts and hate Compatible carts. Really!

 

[The Hat]

Error has returned. Was able to print all the way until that black ink cartridge ran out. I got the standard cartridge might be low message as normal, then tried replacing with a new tank.

Right after putting in another tank, I'm getting the same error. I then tried replacing the tank I just removed (the one that worked just fine seconds before and printed until empty) and it is still giving me the "ink tank error" / "ink tank not recognized" instead of an ink level low.

This is the second time this happened. Ink tank error no matter what, then seemingly randomly an ink tank will work until empty, then it won't accept any new ink tanks, even the one that just worked and ones that work in my other printer fine. What the heck is going on?

The only other suggestion I can make is to try a smaller procedure this time by just pulling
the USB cord out after turning off the printer, then a restart after 5 minutes..

Guys did you ever think he may not want to go down that road just yet,
his methods have worked well for him up till now..

 

[ivanalbright]

Okay, I'll bite on the refilling Canon brand cartridges idea unless someone else can recommend something else to try.

I currently pay $1 per generic cartridge, I've heard refilling may only cost $0.30 in ink each, if so that would be a benefit in itself as long as I could refill several at a time to keep them in reserve, not much time should be wasted. Could you guys please list where you got the chip re-setter and the image specialists ink? And then would it be okay to just buy some used/empty canon CLI-8 cartridges off eBay in order to refill those, or should I fork out the cash for my own new expensive Canon cartridge?

I have found a CLI-8 chip re-setter on amazon, but for the life of me I can't find where to buy image specialists ink in bulk. I have seen these other inks mentioned several times on this forum in the past, but I never seem to have a reliable link on where to buy them. Are people not allowed to advertise what brand of 3rd party ink they are selling or something? I hear 3 specific ink types mentioned repeatedly, but never any reliable online stores.

The Hat: Yes it has worked so far, I've printed through around 700+ generic cartridges without this issue, just some random clogging which was not too big of an issue. As you recommended again, I tried doing the power off / pull power plug as suggested unfortunately doesn't do the trick. Also tried pulling some of the cartridges before powering off in order to get an error on one of the other cartridge slots. No luck this time. I also let it sit for about 1 day unplugged, no change.

 

[The Hat]

Right if youre going to bite the bullet and get into refilling big time then here is the Precisioncolor site for you,
anything youll need you can get it there including empty cartridges and a resetter..
http://stores.ebay.com/PrecisionColors?_rdc=1

If the site is still closed for the holidays then you can look on here:- http://www.precisioncolors.com/

And To PM Mike directly here:- http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/message_send.php?id=1354&tid=8330

Here is a link to of the most popular refilling methods also.

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=26249#p26249
http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=40766#p40766

 

[barfl2]

Ivanbright

I understand you have had great success with you compatibles and would prefer to continue along that route. My suggestion was to try just the one OEM PGBK cart or even

borrow one from a friend to see whether it break the cycle of chip error messages. If you could do this and it worked you have a usable item. if not you could still resell it on ebay