Repair Canon iP3600, iP3610, iP3620, iP3630, iP3640, iP3650, iP3660, iP3670, iP3680 error Ink absorber full [5B00, 5B01]

This error occurs because the waste ink absorber is full. When the waste ink absorber is full, the waste ink absorber counter (D) reaches the maximum value (D=100.0). In this post, we will discuss how to replace or clean the ink absorber, followed by resetting the waste ink absorber counter to zero.

The following solutions are used for Canon Pixma iP3600 series printers, namely Canon iP3600, iP3610, iP3620, iP3630, iP3640, iP3650, iP3660, iP3670, iP3680.

Problem Description

This error has occurred twice. The first error occurs when the ink absorber is almost full, approximately the value of D = 095.0 (95%). When the ink absorber is almost full, when the printer is used for printing, a warning appears "Warning: The ink absorber becomes almost full, error code [1700 or 1701]" When this warning appears, press the Resume/Cancel button to exit the warning and continue printing . This error message is called "Operator Call Error".

Operator Call Errors 

LED blinking in orange: 8 times
Error: Warning: The ink absorber becomes almost full.
Error code: [1700/1701]

The second error occurs when the ink absorber is full or the value D=100.0 (100%). When this error occurs, when the printer is turned on, the Power and Resume/Cancel LEDs will flash orange and green alternately 7 times. When this error occurs, the printer cannot be used and must be repaired. This error message is called a "Service Call Error".

Service Call Errors

Cycles of blinking in orange and green: 7 times
Error: Ink absorber full
Error code: Japan: [5B01], Others: [5B00]

Note
Repairs can be made when an Operator Call Error or when a Service Call Error occurs.

Solution

Repair is carried out in two stages:

1.   Replace the ink absorber

2.   Reset the waste ink counter to zero.

1.   Replace the ink absorber

Ink absorber for Canon iP3600 series, can be purchased in the market with PN.QY5-0234-000. See the picture below.

PN.QY5-0234-000 ink absorber kit, consists of 9 absorbent sheets and each sheet has a different shape and size. Before replacing the ink absorber, make sure you have a new ink absorber before disassembling the printer.

If a new absorber is not available in the market, an alternative solution is to clean the old ink absorber, and reinstall it. Here's how to clean an ink absorber:

• Soak the ink absorber in a container filled with water, if the water turns cloudy, replace the water with a new one.
• Repeat soaking, until the ink absorbent is clean.
• After the absorbent ink is clean, dry it in the sun or let it dry. Make sure the ink absorbent is completely dry before installing.
• When dry, pull the ink absorber so that it expands because when cleaned, the ink absorber will deflate. The air cavity in the ink absorber serves to hold the ink.
• After the ink absorber expands, replace the ink absorber to its original position.

Here is the Canon iP3600 series disassembly procedure

1.  Remove the AC adapter, rear guide unit, cover rear guide, and cassette unit.

2.  Remove the paper support unit and access cover. Pushing both sides of the paper support so that the center will bend slightly, then remove the left and right sides.

3.  Remove the main case covers left and right. While inserting a flat-blade screwdriver, through into a space under the main case cover; and pressing the claw downward, slide the main case cover toward the front side of the printer.

4.  Remove the side cover left.

5.  Remove the side cover right.

6.  Remove the front door unit, while slightly warping the center of the paper output tray downward, release the left and right bosses.

7.  Remove the panel cover unit (1 screw).

8.  Remove the main case unit.

9.  Remove the printer machine from the bottom casing, it will show the ink absorbent.

10.  Replace the old ink absorber with a new one. If a new absorber is not available in the market, clean the ink absorber, dry it, then reinstall it. Make sure that the ink absorber is completely dry before installing.

After the ink absorber has been replaced or cleaned, reassemble the printer. Make sure, the assembly is done properly, to avoid new, unwanted damage.

After the printer is assembled, we will then reset the waste ink counter (value D) to zero. According to the Canon iP3600 / iP3680 Service Manual, to reset the Service Tool v.1020 is used. Here's how to reset the Canon iP3600 series.

2.   Reset the waste ink counter to zero

Service Tool v.1020 can be used to reset the printer, if the printer is in Service Mode. Here is the procedure for entering Service Mode.

STEP 1 - Enter Service Mode
1.   Turn off a printer
2.   Press and hold the Resume/Cancel button
3.   Press and hold the Power button (do not release both buttons)
4.   Release the Resume/Cancel button (do not release the Power button)
5.   While holding the Power button, press Resume/Cancel button 2 times, and then release the Power button.

Note

• When the Power LED lights in green, it's mean the printer is ready for the service mode operation.
• If the Power LED lights orange, it means that the printer failed to enter Service Mode. Turn off the printer by pressing the power button, then repeat the procedure to enter Service Mode correctly.

STEP 2 - Reset the Printer

• Download Service Tool v.1020
• Extract file and open Service Tool.
• Load paper A4 or Letter (3 sheets or more.)
• For your reference in servicing, click EEPROM (1) information print before resetting. Wait a few moments, the printer will print EEPROM information. Look at the value of D (main waste ink counter value). If the value of D=100.0 it means that the main waste ink counter has reached its maximum value. Next we will reset the D value to zero.
• Clear Ink Counter, click MAIN (3). When the MAIN button is pressed, the Power LED will flash and the message "A function was finished" will appear. Wait a few moments, because the printer will print D=000.0 in the upper left corner of the paper. D=000.0 means that the main waste ink counter is reset to zero.

• Click EEPROM (1) information print once again after resetting, then compare the D values ​​before and after reset.
• If all goes well, close the Service Tool, then turn off the printer, wait about 15 seconds, then turn the printer back on. Done.

Questions and Answers

Q: The printer printout is bad, is the print head clogged/damaged, should I replace the cartridge?

A: A complete discussion regarding this issue, please read Troubleshooting Canon printer poor printouts

Q: If the ink absorber is not replaced or cleaned, and the printer is only reset, will the printer return to normal?

A: Since the printer has been reset, it will return to normal. However, because the ink absorber is full, in the near future, the waste ink will overflow out of the printer, because the ink absorber is no longer able to accommodate the waste ink. Resetting the printer will be effective if the ink absorber is previously replaced or cleaned.

Q: An error occurred when the printer was reset. What to do?

A: For a complete discussion regarding errors that occur when resetting the printer, please read the following post Canon Service Tool Error Code Mean (Error code: 002, 005, 006, 007, 009, etc.)

Q: Where can I get other Canon Service Tools?
A: For complete information regarding Canon Service Tool collection, please open Canon Service Tool Version

Q: I don't know which Service Tool supports my printer, where can I get information about it?
A: For complete information regarding Canon printers and the Service Tools used, please open the Canon Service Tools and Supported Printers

Repairing Canon iP3600 series for ink absorber full error, error code [5B00] or [5B01] is done in two stages. Replacing or cleaning the ink absorber, then resetting the waste ink counter to zero. If you have trouble doing it yourself, please contact the nearest Canon Service Center, or the nearest printer repair professional.