
The following information is regarding the repair of HP LaserJet's III. Much of
the information could possibly be adapted to other LaserJet models numbers.
If you have information to add to this please drop a note to
support@netmation.com.
Fuser
If you are getting a "50 Service Error" there are 2 causes for this. The
fuser is one and the AC power block is the other. Here's a quick test to
tell which it is.
Open the cover, turn on
the printer and then try the following test - in that order.
Open the top cover and insert a small screwdriver into
the small hole which has a lever to signify the case is closed for about
10 seconds. This is the hole right above the case release lever,
and is long and narrow. Put a screwdriver in side this hole when the cover
is open. If you
see a bright light on both ends of the fuser for a few seconds, then the
problem is not the fuser and you should replace the ac power block.
The printer needs to be plugged in and turned on. You should see a really
bright glow on both ends of the fuser - you can't miss it, it's real obvious.
If you need to replace the fuser it can easily be removed by taking out 4
screws without having to disassemble any other components.
AC Power Supply
If this is bad you will also see "50 Service Error".
This is the power supply which also contains the power switch and that which
you plug the printer into the wall. To remove you will need to remove the
fuser first and then by removing a few screws it will easily unplug.
Motor & Gear Assembly
If you are getting no movement of paper when the printer is supposed to
print you may very well have damaged gears on this assembly. If the printer
makes a loud buzz as opposed to it's usual humm when powered up the motor
itself may be shot. You can replace this as a unit or by removing 4 screws
you can separate the motor from the gear assembly. To remove this from the
printer you will need to first remove the fuser, the AC Power Supply, and
the black plastic cover, via a single screw. It would be a bit easier to also
remove the DC Power Supply to get at one of the screws though not essential.
Pick Up Roller
These do get warn, and you will see "13 Paper Jam". If your paper is not
picking up very well, thus leaving
black smudges on the paper or only going in part way the Pick Up Roller may
need to be replaced. One way to test for sure if it is a bad pick up roller
is to remove the paper tray, and with a piece of cotton saturate the rubber
pickup roller with rubbing alcohol. Before the alcohol evaporates try to run
the printer again. If it now works prior to the alcohol evaporating your problem
is infact the rubber pickup roller.
Remove the DC Power Supply to get at this Roller.
Sometimes you can clean these and get a some more life out of it.
While you are fixing the pickup roller assembly take a look at the
seperation pad on the assembly, they do wear out as well.
DC Power Supply
If the paper is not getting fed properly it is possible the DC Power Supply
is no good, but very unlikely. If you do need to replace remove the front
steel panel and then take out the 3 screws which secure it to the base. A common
problem with the DC Power Supply are the pads on two solenoids attached to a
PCB board which is attached to the DC Power Supply. If these pads get warn
they somtimes cause the solenoids to stick and the printer will not operate
properly. Common symptoms are mis-alligned printouts. Simply increase the
size of the pads by using electrical tape or purchasing some small inserts to
replenish their thickness.
These same pads at can also become sticky. What happens is the DC solenoids
of will accumulate core magnetism, which
will prevent reliable release of the armature. HP apparently put rubber
pads on their solenoids to break the intimate metal to metal contact and
prevent the residual magnetism from being a factor. Unfortunately, the
material they chose - the rubber pads - gets gummy over time. So the cure
is to cover the two sticky pads with a none stick cover.