Pro 9000 mk2 Error code 6A00

Gday everyone hope you are all well. I haven't done much printing since my Pro 9500 went to the tip, I've just done a few colour prints with the 9000. I got fed up with the colour & tried to print some B&W using just copy paper as test prints. To my surprise using the Printer handles the print option I got some very nice neutral looking prints. Then disaster happened while doing a test print on copy paper the print came out creased & with some ink down the side edges. After this I got the 6A00 warning.
The print head wasn't locked over the purge pads so I could move it to the left to have a look & found a 3"long by 2"wide bit of paper beside the purge pad. I removed it but still a no go then I looked online & saw people working on the purge pads which showed me what they should look like.
It seems my sled which goes back & forth just above the pads was stuck fully towards the front of the printer so I cleaned everything & sprayed with Isopropyl alcohol but it didn't get the sled moving. I then sprayed around the sled runners & general are with silicone spray & after letting it soak in I gently started to try & move the sled back off the purge pads & gradually it freed up & now the error code has gone & the printer can now print again.
BUT I found a piece of black plastic just poking out from under where the sled stops towards the front of the printer it seemed loose so I gently got it out but it seems like there's no way for it to go back there. If I push it back where I found it it's not being held by anything & is loose. I have left it out & the printer prints fine but I'm worried that piece must be for something.
I have enclosed some shots of the plastic thingy & was hoping if The Hat or anyone else who has played with the purge pad can tell me what this part is for & how to get it back in its rightful place. Sorry for the long winded post

rodbam said:

how to get it back in its rightful place.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I’ve got no idea where this broken piece belongs too, but if this is a photo of your actual purge unit , it needs a Feckin good clean, you should flood the purge unit every six months or so with window cleaner and spray the whole area and clean it with paper towels..

This guy might be willing to give/sell you the purge unit from his dead pro 9000, I reckon he's in your neck of the woods…

https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/pro-9000-printhead-unclogging-video.8334/post-140180

Thanks The Hat I will give the unit a good clean & just keep running it as is because it's printing fine without that piece of plastic. How long this will last for is anyone's guess it might even out last me

The poor ole pro 9000 did 2 A3+ prints & refuses to print anymore. I decided to take the covers off the printer to see if I can find where that piece of plastic come from but no luck. I then took the carts & printhead out to see what the purge unit is doing. Well I saw inside the print head carriage a mirror image of my plastic piece & it looks to go on the apposite side of the print head. There's 2 glue points so I will see if I can set up something to keep it steady & supa glue it back in.

My much cleaner purge unit Thanks for the nudge The Hat