Ultimaker 2: X-Axis Motor moves right when trying to move either direction

[SeaMike 0]

Hello all, I'll start with the Printer details:

Ultimaker 2 (Original version)

Firmware: 3.3.0

 

I have inherited this printer with a very bizarre issue. I can't find any similar issues after some searching, so hoping to reach out to some people with a better idea than me!

The printer had a burned out mainboard, so a replacement was bought (Original was 2.1.1, new is 2.1.4 in case relevant). With the new board, trying to Home the head resulted in it hitting the right end of the X axis and then making that delightful grinding noise.

After connecting to the printer via USB and using the manual buttons in Cura, I have found that when pressing right, the head moves right. When pressing left the head moves... right.

 

If I switch the motor connectors between X and Y the problem moves over to the Y axis, so I assume this rules out a problem with the motor itself or with the end stops.

 

Is this likely to be as simple as a faulty replacement board, or is there some additional solutions I can try first?

[Dustin 30]

Things that come to mind that I would look into for this issue..

• Faulty firmware config
• Defective mainboard? (where did you source 2.1.4?)
• faulty wiring?
• limit switches crossed when you plugged them in?

Ultimaker 2 homes to X min (left side) so there is no reason at all for it to goto the right..
This kinda points to crossed pins on the stepper motor cable.. the fact it only wants to goto the right is odd as well.

[SeaMike 0]

I suspect it is defective mainboard, I'm just seeing if there's any other routes I can try.

If the limit switches were crossed, wouldn't this behaviour also show on the Y or Z axis instead of just the X?

 

Has anyone successfully modified the firmware to move the x-axis onto the E2 connector?

[gr5 2,005]

You can definitely use the E2 connector.  First check the wiring.  If only 3 of the 4 wires are connected to the servo then sometimes it will move but weakly and sometimes only one direction.

 

There is a direction pin that goes from the "arduino" chip to the servo driver but it's unlikely that this pin is stuck.  More likely the driver.

 

Before trying to use the E2 connector, check if there is even a servo driver for it.  The newer PCBs don't even have the servo driver installed to save some money.  The older UM2 printers have it but the newer ones not.  It's easy to spot.  It's a big square chip and there is one for each servo connector and they are kind of lined up.  XYZEE.  5 connectors.  5 chips.

 

Yes you can recompile the firmware.  The easy part is looking up the E2 pin numbers and modifying the X pins to be equal to what the E2 pins are.  I think it's pins.h.  The harder part is recompiling the code.  I have a post about this.  While you are doing all this, use the tinkergnome fork of the firmware as it's much better firmware in my opinion.  Instructions: