Epson 4800 cartridge sensor damage - Epson Stylus Pro 4800 InkJet Printer

SOURCE: color problem in Epson Stylus Pro 4800

I've had similar color management problems.  I've lacked consistent color management from day one with this printer.  I use standard Epson ICC profiles for paper /printer combinations.  In setup I select the specific paper type (mostly Epson Premium Luster paper.  SP4800 PLPP PK 288.icc profile. I use Print with Preview, Color Handling "No Color Management".  Under Print Setup I select Premium Luster Photo Paper. Under Printer Color Management I select Off (No color management).
Prints with these settings are so far off from the colors in the preview image the only thing they are good for is the shredder.  I I've gone through several hundred dollars trying to get consistent color management.
I also use an Eye One Greytag Mcbeth color management tool for both monitor, and for some papers, custom profiling.  Nothing seems to improve.  
I did talk with a consultant and was advised to do a good head cleaning (which was done) and also use Disk Utility to repair permissions (also done) but still no improvement. My consultant from a reputable Pro Photo source advised me that I was not alone and that he ad numerous users who were experiencing similar color management problems.  This vendor no longer carries Epson because of  these continuing problems. Try the head cleaning and repairing permissions.  As for me, I've been struggling twith these problems for over a year.  I'm looing at trading in my Epson 4800 for an HP Z3100. This is probably overkill for my needs as it is 24 inch capacity but i like that it has an Euye One photo sensitometer built into the print heads.  I'll be going to the vendor and testing this unit later this week.  

SOURCE: Epson 4800 won't initialize after changing black cartridge

Did you change from matte black to photo black? Or vice versa? If so you have to use the ink conversion kit that came with your printer and draw out the old ink and install the new black in cartridge. Try page 113 in your owners manual. I am having a similar problem but with the light cyan and it says "set ink cartridge".

SOURCE: how do i reset the ink cartridges in my epson

You can get a chip resetter from any of the places that sell refillable cartridges as I did. Works great. They generally sell for about 10 bucks or come with a complete set of the refillable cartridges. This device will also reset the chip on the waste tank so you won't need to go through the button pushing sequence found in the field service guide - that's the one that Epson doesn't want you to know about or have.