MK4 X-axis Self Test/Homing failing
Hi all,
I recently assembled a MK4 kit and am currently stumped trying to solve a problem with the X-axis not homing correctly/failing the self-test.
To summarize the issue: The X-axis appears to "two-step" and just run +X a certain distance, -X a lesser distance, before eventually hitting the right stop and banging against it repeatedly until it errors out and restarts.
I have tried various proposed solutions across both the forum and the subreddit to no avail (list below).
- Tightened the belt
- Also checked the pulley orientation.
- Tightened down the right cable cover on the nextruder, before eventually removing it entirely.
- Removed the Loveboard cover.
- Reorientated the cable sleeve zip ties in the back (they were blocking some movement)
- Tightened down the fan door screw
- Loosened both bearings
- Relubricated rails and bearings.
- Factory reset and reflashed multiple different firmware versions.
What I have not done was investigate the xBuddy more thoroughly than inspecting the cables.
Nothing so far has seemed to correct the error, and I've run out of ideas.
I've attached a video of the error here:
Anything and everything helps.
RE: MK4 X-axis Self Test/Homing failing
The error is on the side of the X-axis motor! Both branches of the belt in the direction from the carriage to the motor mount on the left should be parallel, just as you have them in the direction of the tension pulley on the right. But you have them as converging to the side with the X motor. Instead of a video, put detailed photos of the motor storage and the belt guide at the motor and on the X carriage. Check if there are any obstacles in the cavity of the left bracket where the belt goes.
RE: MK4 X-axis Self Test/Homing failing
I went and adjusted the issue, there was a little bit of debris in the belt channel. However, that only solved the problem for a short while before the error returned. A user on reddit pointed to a possible firmware issue with 5.1.2, and so I reflashed an older version (4.7.2.) and that seemed to fix the issue for now. I'll be getting on the line with support if it decides to reappear.
Thanks for your help,
NSD
RE: MK4 X-axis Self Test/Homing failing
If you get the error back, you have the entire X-axis assembled incorrectly. And you can't do it with any FW downgrade. Check everything on the X-axis, preferably by taking it apart and reassembling it with constant gradual checks, taking into account all the notes in the manual (seating of the rods in the printed parts, cleaning possible dirt in the holes, also check the operation of the belt in the cavities of the printed parts to see if it is rubbing somewhere sides of holes, etc.) Furthermore, it is also necessary to check the correct seating of the connectors on the electronics board. My printer, also assembled from a kit, had no such problems.
RE: MK4 X-axis Self Test/Homing failing
I have a factory assembled MK4 and have checked all the things mentioned- if it fails I can power down and up and it will resume the print after homing/leveling. I love the printer and am about to order an upgrade kit for my first i3 but would really like to see a resolution to this problem. It worked fine until firmware upgrade as I recall- and no I cannot name the firmware when it started failing occasionally. Thanks Gene
RE: MK4 X-axis Self Test/Homing failing
I had a similar problem that turned out to be different then the problem NSDoppler was having, but while I was having the issue I found this thread thinking my problem was the same so I wanted to post the answer here. Sometimes when I would start prints, the purge line and print would start ~20 mm over to the right, and sometimes the print would be in the right place. It turned out to be my filament holder hitting the extruder head. When I started a print when the extruder head was at the highest point in the Z-Axis it would calibrate the X-axis first, and run into the filament holder. This was more of an issue because often I would restart the machine at the top level after doing maintenance and then the Z-axis controls wouldn't let me move the Z down until the machine had been auto-homed. The fix was just to stop resetting or turning off the machine at the top of the Z-axis, and to not start prints when the extruder was all the way up.