5C00 error on Canon Pixma MP500

jimmyg

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Hello,

My Canon Pixma MP500 worked perfectly for the past fifteen years (not even a clogged printhead), but it starting displaying a 5C00 error this week. When I turn it on, it makes the usual (I think) start-up noises, and then its little display shows a 5C00 error code. When I lift the top, the printhead carriage does not move horizontally at all and the inktank LEDs do not light up.

I took off the top, manually moved the printhead carriage to the left, and cleaned off the ink from the wipers and square/rectangle pads, but that didn't help. Sometimes when I power it up, the wiper tray and the pads platform don't seem to cycle all the way--sometimes the pads platform remains depressed (instead of raised) and/or the wiper tray remains extended forward (instead of retracted back). I checked for jams and foreign objects that might be interferring with something, but don't see any obvious.

I'm not sure I want to fully take apart the printer to get underneath the printer / purge unit since that seems to require detaching various ribbons/cables, but my understanding is the 5C00 error has to do with the purge unit and perhaps some sensor (which I am unable to see or identify). Should I apply put some Windex or isopropyl alcohol on the pads, hoping that dissolves any clogs in the purge unit?

I did a search for 5C00 and read through those threads, but they don't seem to have a conclusive solution.

Thanks!
 

PeterBJ

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You are right. The 5C00 error is related to the purge unit. It is no easy task to get access to this part. A service manual which is found here and a parts catalog found here might be helpful.

Some MP500 had a waste ink tube that had been pinched by error at the assembling at the factory. After some use ink started leaking out of the printer. See this and this .

The MP500 belongs to the PGI-5/CLI-8 generation of printers. IMO this printer generation were Canon's best quality built printers for home use, so I think it is worth trying to save the printer if the printhead is still OK. Good luck with the repair job.
 

jimmyg

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PeterBJ, thanks for the links! I hope my MP500 is fixable since it has been great until now.
 

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