hp 5000 duplexer problem

[Rick Kovalcik]

I've started having a problem with the duplexer on the hp 5000
laserjet. When printing duplexed, the paper will often (but not
always) jam when it is feeding in to the duplexer about where it would
hit the white rollers. When you take the jammed paper out of the
duplexer / printer it is crumped like an accordian (the printer is
feeding but the duplexer isn't taking it). It looks like the rollers
are turning. I have not switched paper. It is more humid now then
when it worked realiably. Any ideas?

 

[Tony]

I've started having a problem with the duplexer on the hp 5000
laserjet. When printing duplexed, the paper will often (but not
always) jam when it is feeding in to the duplexer about where it would
hit the white rollers. When you take the jammed paper out of the
duplexer / printer it is crumped like an accordian (the printer is
feeding but the duplexer isn't taking it). It looks like the rollers
are turning. I have not switched paper. It is more humid now then
when it worked realiably. Any ideas?

Try printing a duplex page while you or someone else pushes both sides of the
duplexer (the top portion) towards the printer body. If that works OK then one
of the catches has broken. You have to dismantle the top portion of the
duplexer to see the broken catch.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[Rick Kovalcik]

Try printing a duplex page while you or someone else pushes both sides of the
duplexer (the top portion) towards the printer body. If that works OK then one
of the catches has broken. You have to dismantle the top portion of the
duplexer to see the broken catch.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging

No unforutunately that doesn't seem to be the problem. I definitely
think it is roller related. I didn't think the hard white rollers
could go bad. If I open the duplexer cover as soon as it stops
moving the paper is just at the first white roller. Maybe the white
roller isn't always turning. Does it ever need to be lubricated?

 

[Tony]

No unforutunately that doesn't seem to be the problem. I definitely
think it is roller related. I didn't think the hard white rollers
could go bad. If I open the duplexer cover as soon as it stops
moving the paper is just at the first white roller. Maybe the white
roller isn't always turning. Does it ever need to be lubricated?

HP do not provide servicing guides for the duplexer, it is sold as a
non-serviceable unit. I have not seen any that needed lubrication.
My first post was incomplete, I thought I had suggested a second check for you
to do but I see it isn't there - sorry!
The top portion of the duplexer has a lid that you can lift to remove paper.
this lid latches in the closed position. The latches for this lid also break,
you can check this by holding the lid closed with moderate force at both sides.
If one of these latches is broken the paper stops at or about the roller. You
cannot easily see the latches because thay are spring loaded inside the
duplexer frame but I have repaired a couple with a steel stud to replace the
stud that actually breaks off. Alternatively a heavy book sitting on top of the
cover may work.....Assuming this is the problem of course.
Good luck.
Tony

 

[Rick Kovalcik]

HP do not provide servicing guides for the duplexer, it is sold as a
non-serviceable unit. I have not seen any that needed lubrication.
My first post was incomplete, I thought I had suggested a second check for you
to do but I see it isn't there - sorry!
The top portion of the duplexer has a lid that you can lift to remove paper.
this lid latches in the closed position. The latches for this lid also break,
you can check this by holding the lid closed with moderate force at both sides.
If one of these latches is broken the paper stops at or about the roller. You
cannot easily see the latches because thay are spring loaded inside the
duplexer frame but I have repaired a couple with a steel stud to replace the
stud that actually breaks off. Alternatively a heavy book sitting on top of the
cover may work.....Assuming this is the problem of course.
Good luck.
Tony

Thanks but that doesn't seem to be it either. I thought it might be
heat / humidity related because if I do a "print test" duplex copies
10, very often the first couple would work and then it would jam.

Anyway I took a chance and sprayed the rollers with some Silicon Spray
(seemed safer / cleaner than most of the oil / WD40 type
lubricants). It seems to be working for now.

 

[lgraym]

I had a similar problem. A paper jam occurred causing the duplexer to stop accepting paper. As the fuser continued to discharge paper it would accordion fold at the input to the duplexer. Paper would clear the first set of rollers (black) in the duplexer then stop before the second set (whiite). Moreover, replacing the duplexer did NOT fix the problem. The printer worked fine as long as the print job did not use duplexing. I tried:

1. replacing the duplexer
2. putting weight on top of the duplexer to cause more pressure on the inlet rollers
3. verifying the paper sensors in the duplexer were working correctly
4, trying different paper
5. replacing the fuser

After weeks of failure I began to get suspicious that I had an electrostatic problem with the paper. If so, static charge might be causing the paper to "stick" to the duplexer input paper guide. To test my theory I lined the exit door from the fuser assembly with aluminum foil and ran a wire from the aluminum foil to chassis ground. That solved the problem. I have printed hundreds of duplexed pages since without an error.

I hope this is of help.