Has anyone else with an Epson 7900 received an 1439 error ("cap error")? I've been getting it a lot lately, and am considering trying to repair it myself.
Some background: I started getting this error a month ago, and have been getting it more and more since. The error flashes a big warning to restart your printer, and if it doesn't clear, call service. I called in, and according to Epson tech support, it is a problem with the "pump cap assembly". This is where the print head parks, and where it sits to be cleaned. The error occurs when the print head has trouble seating itself on the assembly. Tech Support recommended I restart the printer, but if the error persists, to have Decision One come out and replace the assembly. Restarted working at first, but now I get this error several times a day, so it's time to move to step 2. Since I am out of warranty, D1's estimate ran about $1000 for parts and labor. So, I wondered, why not try to do this myself?
I've been reading the instructions in the Service Manual and Field Repair Guide, and think I have it worked out. The first hurdle was realizing that each manual calls this part by a different name: Epson Tech Support calls it the "pump cap assembly", the SM calls it the "Ink System" and the FRG calls it the "Cleaning Unit". But if you look, you see that they are all the same thing.
Second, I've been encouraged by
Eric Gulbransen's videos (thank you Eric! I owe you some "
manure"). Watching his print head replacement video while reading the Service Manual really helps illustrate the process. His video shows how to take apart the left side, and the pump cap assy is on the right, but it appears to be the same exact process. I have a pump cap assembly (part#1569512) on order from Compass Micro, and am ready to give this a try. I figure, the worse that can happen is I do it wrong and need to get Decision One out here anyway.
Has anyone else every replaced the pump cap assembly? Any advice?
