HP Forum Archive 06

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HP Printer stuck Message #1 Posted by Robert on 7 June 2001, 10:47 a.m. I have an hp41 hp82162A and the print head gets stuck when the paper advance button is pressed (and sometimes when the printer is turned on. The printer somtimes makes a squeeling sound. I have opened it up, and after carefully disengaging the rubber belt from the motor, it seems that the worm kear is quite stiff. Can I lubricate it? If so, where? What is a good fix for this?

Re: HP Printer stuck Message #2 Posted by Erik Wahlin on 7 June 2001, 11:54 a.m., in response to message #1 by Robert Hi, This happens when the lube on the various shafts that the printer head slids on gets dried out, worn off and becomes sticky. Take some WD-40 and lightly lubricate three shafts. Also put some grease on the worm gear and that should solve the problem.

Re: HP Printer stuck Message #3 Posted by Tony Duell on 7 June 2001, 2:28 p.m., in response to message #1 by Robert Yes, you can (and should) lubricate it. It's easiest if you remove the printer mechanism first -- open up the case (you've done this), slide out the window, remove the paper roll. Then unplug the motor wires from the PCB, and carefully unplug the flexiprint from the printhead to the PCB. Undo the 3 screws and take out the mechanism. Clean the leadscrew and the printhead guide rods with propan-2-ol. Lubricate the rods that the print head slides on with something like clock oil. DO NOT USE WD40. WD40 is not a lubricant, it will turn to wax in a year or so and will really gum things up. You will then have real problems. Also put a smear of light grease (I use Electrolube Special Plastic Grease) -- it's expensive but worth it) on the leadscrew. Work the print head back and forth using the leadscrew pulley. When it seems fine, put the belt back on. If that doesn't do it, try a drop of clock oil on the bearings at each end of the motor.

Re: HP Printer stuck Message #4 Posted by David Smith on 7 June 2001, 4:18 p.m., in response to message #1 by Robert Well, while we're on the subject of "whats your favorite lube" I have used Breakfree CLP. This is a teflon based (I think) gun oil that seems to work very well. The CLP stands for cleans, lubricates, protects. I had a couple of printers where water had gotten into them and rusted the motors and some gears solid. A little Breakfree and some toothbrush work and the printers have run perfectly for over two years.

Re: HP Printer stuck Message #5 Posted by db(martinez,california) on 7 June 2001, 7:20 p.m., in response to message #4 by David Smith i guess in about ten months from now when the wd40 i used on my 82143a turns to wax (or worse) i'll have to get some of that breakfree. where do you find it?

Re: HP Printer stuck Message #6 Posted by David Smith on 8 June 2001, 4:59 p.m., in response to message #5 by db(martinez,california) You can probably find Breakfree at most gun shops or gun shows. The military buys it in 50 gallon drums. I buy the small (4 oz) aerosol cans and they last me for years.

Re: HP Printer stuck Message #7 Posted by Robert on 8 June 2001, 12:25 p.m., in response to message #1 by Robert Thanks for all the help I found that no amount of lubrication really helped until I cleaned out the threads of the worm gear. It appears that paper dust getting caught in here was the main culprit. It now works MUCH better. BTW, I couldn't get the flexible cable from the print head unplugged from the board. I applied VERY firm pressure, but it only came part way out. I decided that discretion was the better part of valor and left it connected.

printer ribbon removal Message #8 Posted by Erik Wahlin on 8 June 2001, 12:49 p.m., in response to message #7 by Robert The print head ribbon can easily be damaged when removed from the circuit board. I have found that by wedging a thin piece of shim material (0.005" thick) into the ribbon connector works very well. The shim must be cut to the same width as the ribbon where it inserts into the connector. Insert all the way in on the side of the ribbon that gets folded over. Then pull the shim and ribbon out at the same time. I have seen MANY ribbons torn because someone (including myself once) has tried to yank the ribbon out.

Re: printer ribbon removal Message #9 Posted by Robert on 8 June 2001, 9:55 p.m., in response to message #8 by Erik Wahlin Ah! That makes sense. And now, after leaving the printer (that was working) for 8 hours, it's stuck again. :-( Oh well, take it apart again. Is it safe to remove the print head? I notice it's screwed on. I would feel safer about spraying stuff around if I removed it. Is it held in a sensitive alignment? Or soes it just fit there? questions questions questions (sorry)

Re: printer ribbon removal Message #10 Posted by Erik Wahlin on 9 June 2001, 12:21 a.m., in response to message #9 by Robert Yes, I always remove the print head when I take the printers apart to clean them. When you re-install it, make sure that the head fits back flush in it's groove. You will need to depress the spring loaded paper tensioner to get it in place. Hope this make sense.

Re: printer ribbon removal Message #11 Posted by Tony Duell on 9 June 2001, 5:28 p.m., in response to message #10 by Erik Wahlin If you do remove the printhead from the mechanism, do be sure it's properly seated before you refit the metal retaining bracket and the 2 screws (this will make sense if you have the machine apart). And tighten the screws carefully and evenly. If you don't, you'll get a very unpleasant 'crack' sound as the ceramic printhead snaps in half. Please don't ask how I found this out :-(

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