Low toner light flashing on Brother HL-2040

[Kenneth John]

My toner light just started blinking at 1508 pages. I'm a bit suspicious since this is the starter toner cartridge that is good for an average of 1500 pages. I use the toner saver mode at times and I also print my envelopes, each of which count at one page. 1508 pages is awfully close to the 1500 average page statistic but maybe it's a conincidence.
I read that by covering the "sight holes" on each side of the toner cartridge with electrical tape you will trick the printer to think the cartridge is full and the toner light will stop blinking. I did this but my light still blinks.
I'm hoping at the very least that this light blinks for quite a more pages before it goes to steady mode and says my toner is completely gone.
Does anybody have any suggestions / feedback on "tricking" the printer to think it has a fill cartridge?
Thanks!

[EzyStvy]

Take the cartridge out and gently shake it side to side.

[Kenneth John]

I did shake the cartridge side to side but that darn light still kept blinking.
Since I had a new toner cartridge ready to go, I decided to install it and be done with the dreaded blinkiing toner light.
This TN-350 cartridge should last for about 2500 pages, which will take me a long time to print especialy since The Mrs. now has her own printer.
I think that I might opt for an HP printer next time as I'm getting the impression they are built better.
Thanks!

[mairving]

If you got 1500 pages out of a Brother printer consider yourself lucky. Cartridges are always rated on a best case scenario. Not sure what the electrical tape will do. It really doesn't matter when the toner light comes on. I have seen them spit out 500 more pages after the light comes on.