Need some ideas trouble shooting my Z-axis

[brien_calloway]

I have a Prusa i3. Below is my config.h file. My ramp 1.4 and Arduino mega 2560 is brand new straight out of the package as are my step sticks drivers. When I plug in my z motors into x, and y slot they work fine. z slot does not work at all when I plug x or y motors into z slot. When I swop the z step stick into either x and y both works perfectly. When i plug any combination into the z-axis slot I don’t get any activity.

I don’t hear humming, whistling, or any sound as if the motors are trying to engage when I try to move axis.

Please help if you have had this problem before. I’ve been trying everything I can think of over the last few days.

Thanks Makers,

Brien

//======================================================================
//===========================Mechanical Settings===========================
//======================================================================

// Uncomment the following line to enable CoreXY kinematics
// #define COREXY

// coarse Endstop Settings
#define ENDSTOPPULLUPS // Comment this out (using // at the start of the line) to disable the endstop pullup resistors

#ifndef ENDSTOPPULLUPS
// fine endstop settings: Individual pullups. will be ignored if ENDSTOPPULLUPS is defined
// #define ENDSTOPPULLUP_XMAX
// #define ENDSTOPPULLUP_YMAX
// #define ENDSTOPPULLUP_ZMAX
// #define ENDSTOPPULLUP_XMIN
// #define ENDSTOPPULLUP_YMIN
// #define ENDSTOPPULLUP_ZMIN
#endif

#ifdef ENDSTOPPULLUPS
#define ENDSTOPPULLUP_XMAX
#define ENDSTOPPULLUP_YMAX
#define ENDSTOPPULLUP_ZMAX
#define ENDSTOPPULLUP_XMIN
#define ENDSTOPPULLUP_YMIN
#define ENDSTOPPULLUP_ZMIN
#endif

// The pullups are needed if you directly connect a mechanical endswitch between the signal and ground pins.
const bool X_MIN_ENDSTOP_INVERTING = true; // set to true to invert the logic of the endstop.
const bool Y_MIN_ENDSTOP_INVERTING = true; // set to true to invert the logic of the endstop.
const bool Z_MIN_ENDSTOP_INVERTING = true; // set to true to invert the logic of the endstop.
const bool X_MAX_ENDSTOP_INVERTING = true; // set to true to invert the logic of the endstop.
const bool Y_MAX_ENDSTOP_INVERTING = true; // set to true to invert the logic of the endstop.
const bool Z_MAX_ENDSTOP_INVERTING = true; // set to true to invert the logic of the endstop.
//#define DISABLE_MAX_ENDSTOPS
//#define DISABLE_MIN_ENDSTOPS

// Disable max endstops for compatibility with endstop checking routine
#if defined(COREXY) && !defined(DISABLE_MAX_ENDSTOPS)
#define DISABLE_MAX_ENDSTOPS
#endif

// For Inverting Stepper Enable Pins (Active Low) use 0, Non Inverting (Active High) use 1
#define X_ENABLE_ON 0
#define Y_ENABLE_ON 0
#define Z_ENABLE_ON 0
#define E_ENABLE_ON 0 // For all extruders

// Disables axis when it’s not being used.
#define DISABLE_X false
#define DISABLE_Y false
#define DISABLE_Z false
#define DISABLE_E false // For all extruders
#define DISABLE_INACTIVE_EXTRUDER true //disable only inactive extruders and keep active extruder enabled

#define INVERT_X_DIR true // for Mendel set to false, for Orca set to true
#define INVERT_Y_DIR true // for Mendel set to true, for Orca set to false
#define INVERT_Z_DIR true // for Mendel set to false, for Orca set to true
#define INVERT_E0_DIR true // for direct drive extruder v9 set to true, for geared extruder set to false
#define INVERT_E1_DIR false // for direct drive extruder v9 set to true, for geared extruder set to false
#define INVERT_E2_DIR false // for direct drive extruder v9 set to true, for geared extruder set to false

// ENDSTOP SETTINGS:
// Sets direction of endstops when homing; 1=MAX, -1=MIN
#define X_HOME_DIR 1
#define Y_HOME_DIR -1
#define Z_HOME_DIR -1

#define min_software_endstops true // If true, axis won’t move to coordinates less than HOME_POS.
#define max_software_endstops true // If true, axis won’t move to coordinates greater than the defined lengths below.

// Travel limits after homing
#define X_MAX_POS 215
#define X_MIN_POS 0
#define Y_MAX_POS 210
#define Y_MIN_POS 0
#define Z_MAX_POS 180
#define Z_MIN_POS 0

#define X_MAX_LENGTH (X_MAX_POS - X_MIN_POS)
#define Y_MAX_LENGTH (Y_MAX_POS - Y_MIN_POS)
#define Z_MAX_LENGTH (Z_MAX_POS - Z_MIN_POS)

[3DstuffsNL]

Sounds like the Z axis pin is damage on the Arduino board.

First check that the board is inserted correctly into the arduino no pins left out.

Then try swapping the Arduino board if you have a spare. Or remapping the Z axis to the E1 slot ( require fiddling with pins.h)

[Clement_1]

I would rather check the endstops. It seems like your Z endstop might be “on” while you want it to be off. Try pressing it while making z axis move, to stop it from crushing your fingers just release it. If it works just reverse the z endstop logic. You can also check the “home to max” or “home to min” setting. Cheers

[brien_calloway]

You hit it right on the head. I swapped out my arduino board last night and it came back on. Great idea about remapping the E1 slot! Is there any way to repair the Mega?

Thanks for your help!

[3DstuffsNL]

Not that I know, even if I do I will not feel comfortable printing with the same board!!