[djk_norman]

I've got a LaserWriter Select 360 with only 28,000 prints and the output is shot. I tried a new toner, but get the same result. The output is light on some parts and dark in others. When I print a completely black page, it's dark on one side, light on the other, and in the middle it looks like somone spilled water on the ink before it fused and ran in some random pattern - never the same on successive prints. I've taken the printer apart and cleaned everything I can get my hands on, but no change. Also given both old and new toner cartridge good movement to redistribute toner. No luck.

The printer has been in a room in the house that's rather cold in the winter (freezing or below), so maybe that did something to the machine? I could imagine the cold damaging the rollers. The gears also make a periodic noise as if they need some serious greasing.

Any suggestions? And/or any ideas where I could get some sort of "reconditioning" kit for the printer? As I recall, the printer is supposed to last for 300,000 prints, so I'm kinda upset at only 10% life :-(

I've already bought a replacement, it was an emergency for buisness. I'd still like to repair for personal use or maybe donate after repair.

Thanks for any help!

-David.

[WDL]

In view of what you describe, I would take it in to an
Apple reseller with a good service department - NOT one of
the places that advertise repairs/servicing for all makes of
printers.

For example, the places that offer refilling of cartridges
won't touch the Apple cartridges because the design is too
difficult for them to work with.

It's well worth getting repaired - at least it would be if it
was my decision to make.

Good luck.

WDL

[jeromep]

Not to brag, but I deal with various laser printers every day and pretty much know what is going on with printers when people describe problems. If toner cartridges have been ruled out, that pretty much leaves the fuser or laser unit. Both can cause the problems that you have described. A dirty fuser can cause "watermarking" of output, or leave loose, unfused toner behind when a print is done. The laser unit creates the image on the photosensitive roller that is typically inside the toner cartridge. That roller will wear out was the toner is used and is usually due to be replaced when the cartridge is empty, but the laser unit that puts the image on that roller can also fail and cause the symptoms that you are speaking of.

Keep the printer, get it serviced. All networkable LaserWriters are worth servicing and keeping around. They are generally tanks.

I'm confused as to why the printer was stored in such hostile conditions? I would feel fairly certain that is part of the cause of your problems.

i got exactly the same problem. did the same things as well. now got 2 new toner carts.

i think the problem is with the fuser thing on the top part of the printer. mine seems damaged (its loose) on the side with the faint print.

i dont want to take it to be serviced (costs money). the fuser looks fairly easy to replace (i've taken it off), but cant find anywhere that has a price/part #/selling one. ideas?

[djk_norman]

I was hoping for a lead on where to buy parts. It's not the toner cartridge since we have both old and new with exact same problem. I think I need rollers replaced as well, but I'd agree on the fuser problem as well.

The printer is in a "harsh" environment because that's where the home office is located. It's in a room in the house that gets rather cold at night. The house is 80 years old, so there's little I can do to rectify this problem. I'm suprised the temperature should have anything to do with the problem. I suppose the rollers could be damaged from cold, but not the fuser?

When I pulled the lamp out, I noticed the filament was not perfectly formed across it's span. It had what appeared to be some places where it had pulled apart a little.

Anyone have access to the Apple repair documents? Maybe it would tell exactly what is wrong?

[jeromep]

Try these people.
http://www.dttservice.com/

I have purchased parts from them in my work. They carry a whole line of parts for Laserwriters on advance exchange. If you call them, ask if they can provide you with any service documentation. I'm sure they will be quite helpful. No guarantees on the service docs.