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Solved M999 Error

Discussion in 'Troubleshooting' started by Psychophoria, Nov 4, 2017.

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  1. Psychophoria

    Psychophoria Member

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    Good afternoon.
    I didn't think I'd ever take my Robo out again, but it happened and I'm back to square one.

    Right now, I'm unable to complete any prints more than 1-5 layers due to M999.
    I looked through most related threads, and wasn't able to find a definitive answer.
    Here's what I've done to attempt to fix this problem.

    1. Replaced hotend, and a brand new thermistor.
    2. Played around with the temps, although I feel that's irrelevant. Before M999, I got 10 hours or so of print time at 247 extruder temp, and 75 bed temp.
    3. Tried using my beloved (not) Mattercontrol, instead of using Simplify 3D.
    4. I would love to print from SD, but I believe the SD slot on my printer came malfunctioned and it hasn't really ever been able to read files from the slot.
    5. Re-uploaded the firmware via Arduino.

    I'm wondering if maybe this is a software thing? But I've tried with both Simplify3D and Mattercontrol.
    Sometimes the printer will run for 20+ minutes before I get the M999, when printing large surface area parts.
    Could it be the USB 2.0? The port in the printer is quite loose, but I always make sure it doesn't move around while the Robo is printing.

    Right now I'm printing in PETG, using these settings:
    http://forum.makergear.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2593
    Essentially..
    Hotend: 245
    Bed: 75-80


    What steps should be taken next?
    Are there any other potential solutions I'm not seeing?
    Thanks for the help everyone, really appreciate it.
     
    #1 Psychophoria, Nov 4, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2017
  2. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    If you read the threads you will see that this is almost always a thermistor error.
    You will also see that you need to search through the GCode console to get the REAL error because M999 is NOT an error, it is a silly warning that Marlin repeats over and over to tell you that an actual error did happen. Rather than actually repeating the real error it repeats the M999... which tells you not much

    Go through the GCode console for whatever software you are using and find the actual error, it is PROBABLY this one :

    "Temperature Fell too much during print!"

    But, you need to confirm that.
     
    #2 mark tomlinson, Nov 4, 2017
  3. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    #3 mark tomlinson, Nov 4, 2017
  4. Psychophoria

    Psychophoria Member

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    Thanks Mark, you've always been a huge help on the forums.

    I'm going over all the wiring right now, making sure there's no damaged or loose connections.
    I'll get back to you with photos, and a GCode console transcript.

    Thanks again for the help, I really appreciate it.
     
    #4 Psychophoria, Nov 4, 2017
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  5. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Good luck. Loose connection will do it or a damaged thermistor (but that is less common)
     
    #5 mark tomlinson, Nov 4, 2017
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  6. Psychophoria

    Psychophoria Member

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    Well, I thought I had it in the bag.
    I looked at the wiring, and everything looked okay to me.
    I checked all the solder connections on my end when I replaced the hotend, everything is solid.

    I decided to try and print again..
    Got 1/4 of the way though a simple print, and accidentally unplugged the USB from my PC.
    Started the print again, and got the same error before the first layer was even done.

    I think the thermistor is probably O.K. , it's brand new and came with the hotend/extruder kit.
    The new hotend seems to be finicky, it only chooses to heat up sometimes.
    I just tried to print again, couldn't get it to heat up; waited a minute, and it went up to temperature but then it turned off again.
    Speaking of which, here's some GCODE I just grabbed from the failed pre-heat I mentioned.
    Looks like it's giving me the error you mentioned, Mark.
    I can't imagine the brand new extruder and thermistor is defective, but I suppose it's possible? Maybe?

    Code:
    Attempting connection at \\.\COM8...
READ: start
  Connected to machine!
READ: echo:Marlin1.0.0
Marlin1.0.0
SENT: T0
READ: echo: Last Updated: Nov  4 2017 13:39:39 | Author: (RoBo 3D, R1+ Single Extruder)
Last Updated: Nov  4 2017 13:39:39 | Author: (RoBo 3D, R1+ Single Extruder)
READ: Compiled: Nov  4 2017
READ: echo: Free Memory: 3980  PlannerBufferBytes: 1232
Free Memory: 3980  PlannerBufferBytes: 1232
READ: echo:Stored settings retrieved
Stored settings retrieved
SENT: M104 S235 T0
SENT: M105
READ: echo:SD init fail
SD init fail
READ: echo:Active Extruder: 0
Active Extruder: 0
READ: ok
READ: ok
READ: ok T:110.2 /235.0 B:73.2 /0.0 T0:110.2 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M104 S235 T0
READ: ok
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:110.0 /235.0 B:73.1 /0.0 T0:110.0 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M104 S235 T0
READ: ok
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:109.1 /235.0 B:72.4 /0.0 T0:109.1 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:108.1 /235.0 B:71.8 /0.0 T0:108.1 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:107.0 /235.0 B:71.3 /0.0 T0:107.0 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:105.9 /235.0 B:70.8 /0.0 T0:105.9 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:104.8 /235.0 B:70.3 /0.0 T0:104.8 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:103.8 /235.0 B:70.0 /0.0 T0:103.8 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:102.8 /235.0 B:69.5 /0.0 T0:102.8 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:101.8 /235.0 B:69.1 /0.0 T0:101.8 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:100.9 /235.0 B:68.8 /0.0 T0:100.9 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:100.0 /235.0 B:68.4 /0.0 T0:100.0 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:99.1 /235.0 B:68.0 /0.0 T0:99.1 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:98.2 /235.0 B:67.7 /0.0 T0:98.2 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:97.2 /235.0 B:67.4 /0.0 T0:97.2 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:96.4 /235.0 B:67.1 /0.0 T0:96.4 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:95.5 /235.0 B:66.7 /0.0 T0:95.5 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:94.6 /235.0 B:66.4 /0.0 T0:94.6 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:93.6 /235.0 B:66.2 /0.0 T0:93.6 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:92.8 /235.0 B:65.9 /0.0 T0:92.8 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:92.0 /235.0 B:65.6 /0.0 T0:92.0 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:91.2 /235.0 B:65.3 /0.0 T0:91.2 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
SENT: M105
READ: ok T:90.4 /235.0 B:65.0 /0.0 T0:90.4 /235.0 @:127 B@:0
READ: Error:Extruder switched off. Temperature fell too much during print!
READ: Error:Printer stopped due to errors. Fix the error and use M999 to restart. (Temperature is reset. Set it after restarting)
    Could there be something in the software side of things?
    Maybe something on the 2560?
    Perhaps the USB cabling/port is defective and causing problems?

    Sometimes I can get lucky, and it prints for 20+ minutes.. Sometimes it's only one layer.

    Here's some photos.

    V6
    [​IMG]

    I removed the heatwrap that was around the power/thermistor wires
    [​IMG]

    20+ Minutes into the print
    [​IMG]

    SD Slot init fails upon startup, looks like I got to replace it
    [​IMG]

    2560
    [​IMG]

    2560
    [​IMG]


    EDIT: I might be up to something.
    I was fiddling with the extruder tip, and started pulling up the connections to the heating element. I pulled on the sleeve where the rod connected to the wire, and it came right off.
    I crimped it back, added some extra solder, and I'm praying.
     
    #6 Psychophoria, Nov 4, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2017
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  7. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    It is easy with a thermistor to have problems that are not obvious. They are small, fragile and easy to get a bare section of wire touching something it should not... all of this can make it read intermittently. In the very worst case they are easy to break/crack/damage. The new canister style are an improvement. There was a metal stud variety that never caught on and that was a shame because those were indestructable, but the canister ones are much harder to damage or install incorrectly.

    Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
     
    #7 mark tomlinson, Nov 4, 2017
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  8. Psychophoria

    Psychophoria Member

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    Some good news to report.
    I can't believe it, but I believe the issue was with the new extruder.
    I just couldn't believe that I would have the same exact "error code" with a brand new part.
    After I crimped, and filled the connection with solder it no longer had intermittent power.
    Very exciting, I hope I don't encounter any more issues.
    Thanks very much Mark, you've been an excellent help.

    [​IMG]
     
    #8 Psychophoria, Nov 4, 2017
    WheresWaldo, Geof and mark tomlinson like this.
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