Citizen Printer

I have a Okidat ML320 Turbo printer and the print is weird?

It will print one line dark and the next one light. i have changed the print head and the ribbon. And still didnt fix it. What could be wrong and how do i fix it?

Public Comments

1. Most often the problem is with the ribbon drive or space motor assembly. The gears wear out over time and fail to work consistently to move the ribbon. You can usually check this with the ribbon loaded by manually moving the carriage assembly in both directions and monitor the ribbon drive, it should always wind in one direction when the carriage moves in either direction. Commonly it only winds when going one way, but not the other, thereby causing the light print because the ribbon isn't moving. Most often you'll also feel a roughness and hear a grinding or slipping of gears when testing. It is also possible that the carriage is worn and allows the printhead to be closer one direction, then farther away going the other, but most often I see the ribbon drive and/or space motor assembly worn out. I like to replace them both whenever I see a problem. Part numbers: 4YA4044-5100G1 Space motor assy 3PA4044-5070G1 Gear case assy FYI: These parts can be rather tricky to replace and get just right. The gears have to be aligned and the printhead gap set properly with the adjustment mechanism that is a part of the assembly. Best of luck.