When the print head homes, it should move to the back, left corner. But what if it doesn't? First, let's identify the axes, endstops, and motors so we're all using the same terminology for the same parts.
The X-axis is left to right. The X-motor is located on the back panel on the right hand side. It engages to move the print head on the X-axis. The X-stop is blue and fastened to the top panel.The X-stop triggers to tell the printer that the print head has reached the leftmost point.
The Y-axis is front to back. The Y-motor is located on the left panel. It engages to move the print head on the Y-axis. The Y-stop is red and fastened to the left panel. The Y-stop triggers to tell the printer that the print head has reached the backmost point.
If none of the following troubleshooting works, you may have an electrical issue with the motor itself or with the electronics board.
You can find a diagram of the screws here.
The Print Head Only Moves Smoothly in One Direction
There are three reasons why the print head won't move or won't move correctly: a belt is not on the pulley, there is not enough tension on a short belt, or a pulley is not set correctly.
1. First look at the pulleys in the back that connect the short belts to the rod. Is the belt properly set on the pulley? If not, you will have to adjust the motor in order to properly place it. Loosen the four screws that hold the motor to the panel. Be careful not to remove the screws or the motor will fall. Lift the motor to add slack to the short belt. Place the belt back on the pulley. If you do not have enough slack, you will have to remove the motor. Before taking out the screws, remove the corner cover. One screw is on the side panel. The other is on the back panel. Take the cover out while the bed is at the bottom in order to avoid damage. Holding the motor to keep it from falling, remove the four screws. Place the belt back on the pulley. Make sure the belt is on the motor pulley when you reattach the motor. Put the top two screws in and get them started. They should be loose enough that you can still move the motor vertically. Hook the cord under the tab on the bottom of the black spacer; then start the bottom screws. Push the motor down to increase the tension on the belt while tightening the four screws. When you are finished, move the print head to see if it moves smoothly. Watch the belt for wobble. You can loosen the screws to try again if needed.
2. Take another look at the short belts. Watch them as you move the print head. If you see wobble or feel a stutter, adjust the tension on the belt. Loosen the four screws that hold the motor on so that you can move the motor vertically. Do not remove the screws entirely or the motor will fall. Push the motor down to increase the tension on the belt while tightening the four screws. When you are finished, move the print head to see if it moves smoothly. Watch the belt for wobble. You can loosen the screws to try again if needed.
3.Check the pulleys that connect the short belts to the rod. Hold the print head in place. Attempt to move the short belt on the X-motor without moving the print head. If the belt moves, you will need to tighten the set screw in the pulley. If the belt does not move, check the pulley on the motor. For the Y-motor, try to move the double pulley side to side on the rod. If it moves, you will need to tighten the set screw. Push the rod to the right side and hold the pulley to the left panel. Tighten the screw. If you cannot move the pulley, check the pulley on the motor. On the Use the menu to home the print head and lock it in place. MAINTENANCE->ADVANCED->HOME HEAD. Try to move the print head. If it moves, the pulley on the motor is loose. Remove the corner cover. One screw is on the side panel. The other is on the back panel. Take the cover out while the bed is at the bottom in order to avoid damage. Holding the motor to keep it from falling, remove the four screws. The pulley should be positioned so that it is neither touching the motor block nor protruding past the end of the post. If it is positioned correctly, tighten the set screw. If it is not, adjust it as needed before tightening the screw. Ensure the short belt is on both pulleys when replacing the motor. Put the top two screws in and get them started. They should be loose enough that you can still move the motor vertically. Hook the cord under the tab on the bottom of the black spacer; then start the bottom screws. Push the motor down to increase the tension on the belt while tightening the four screws. When you are finished, move the print head to see if it moves smoothly. Watch the belt for wobble. You can loosen the screws to try again if needed.
If the belts are properly on the pulleys and the pulleys are tight, a motor pulley might be positioned incorrectly. Remove the corner cover. One screw is on the side panel. The other is on the back panel. Take the cover out while the bed is at the bottom in order to avoid damage. Holding the motor to keep it from falling, remove the four screws. The pulley should be positioned so that it is neither touching the motor block nor protruding past the end of the post. If it is positioned incorrectly, loosen the set screw, adjust the pulley, and tighten the set screw. Ensure the short belt is on both pulleys when replacing the motor. Put the top two screws in and get them started. They should be loose enough that you can still move the motor vertically. Hook the cord under the tab on the bottom of the black spacer; then start the bottom screws. Push the motor down to increase the tension on the belt while tightening the four screws. When you are finished, move the print head to see if it moves smoothly. Watch the belt for wobble. You can loosen the screws to try again if needed.
The Print Head Continuously Runs into the Panel
There are two reasons the print head will try to continue moving after reaching the back corner: an endstop is broken or not triggering or the motors or endstops are plugged in backward.
1. If you have replaced an endstop make sure it is positioned correctly on the panel. If you replaced the X-stop, make sure you bent the trigger so that the black sliding block triggers it. If you have removed the feeder motor, take the corner cover off and make sure there are no wires pinched between the motor and the panel. If you unseated the print head, make sure the cross bar hits the Y-stop.
2. If you have replaced or unplugged the electronics, check the board.
The Print Head Moves to the Wrong Corner
There are three reasons the print head moves to the wrong corner: a motor is spinning backward, the X- and Y-axes are completely switched in the electronics, or an endstop is malfunctioning. Open up the electronics board.
1. If you have replaced a motor, locate the plug for the motor you replaced. Check the order of the wires in the connector. The wires should be in the same order as all the other connectors.
2. If you replaced the electronics board, check the wires for the X and Y motors. The X-motor wire comes from the right side of the printer. The Y-motor cord comes from the left side of the printer. The endstop cords are coded as follows: blue is X and red is Y.
3. To check the functionality of the endstops, you will need to use Pronterface. Please see our Pronterface article for directions.
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