Broken plastic bits inside Laserjet 4m+?

[Ron Bean]

I bought a used Laserjet 4m+ and it wouldn't feed paper-- it
would go in about half way and get stuck just before the transfer
roller, where it goes under a 3/4" wide metal plate. After
poking around a bit I found some small pieces of broken plastic
under that metal plate, and now it seems to work OK (at least
from the paper tray-- it still won't feed from the manual feed
tray).

So now it works but I'm wondering where these bits of plastic
came from. They fit together to make a piece about 1/2" wide and
maybe an inch long, broken off at an angle. Maybe a paper guide
or something? I don't think it came from a toner cartridge (or at
least not from the one that's in there now). The seller claims to
have tested it, so maybe something broke loose in shipping? I
don't see any broken edges in there, but I haven't dis-assembled
anything.

When I try to feed paper in the manual feed tray, it just gives
me a "paper jam" error but as far as I can see it doesn't even
try to pick up the paper. Fortunately I don't need the manual
feed.

 

[magpie]

I bought a used Laserjet 4m+ and it wouldn't feed paper-- it
would go in about half way and get stuck just before the transfer
roller, where it goes under a 3/4" wide metal plate. After
poking around a bit I found some small pieces of broken plastic
under that metal plate, and now it seems to work OK (at least
from the paper tray-- it still won't feed from the manual feed
tray).

So now it works but I'm wondering where these bits of plastic
came from. They fit together to make a piece about 1/2" wide and
maybe an inch long, broken off at an angle. Maybe a paper guide
or something? I don't think it came from a toner cartridge (or at
least not from the one that's in there now). The seller claims to
have tested it, so maybe something broke loose in shipping? I
don't see any broken edges in there, but I haven't dis-assembled
anything.

When I try to feed paper in the manual feed tray, it just gives
me a "paper jam" error but as far as I can see it doesn't even
try to pick up the paper. Fortunately I don't need the manual
feed.

Impossible to tell without a visual inspection or a much better
description. However, I would make a guess that it may be one of the
sensor flags, possibly for the MP Tray (Manual Paper Tray).

Frank

 

[Ron Bean]

Impossible to tell without a visual inspection or a much better
description. However, I would make a guess that it may be one of the
sensor flags, possibly for the MP Tray (Manual Paper Tray).

That sounds like a good guess. It's not the one that senses that
there's paper in the tray, because I can see that one.

I took some pictures and put them at:
http://my.execpc.com/~rbean/printer/

It looks like they're broken on three sides. The large photo
shows where I found them, under the metal bar that runs across
the middle of the photo, toward the right side.

 

[FredFarkle]

Impossible to tell without a visual inspection or a much better
description. However, I would make a guess that it may be one of the
sensor flags, possibly for the MP Tray (Manual Paper Tray).

Frank

I'll bet he/she bought it on eBay too.

 

[Cullinane]

I bought a used Laserjet 4m+ and it wouldn't feed paper-- it
would go in about half way and get stuck just before the transfer
roller, where it goes under a 3/4" wide metal plate. After
poking around a bit I found some small pieces of broken plastic
under that metal plate, and now it seems to work OK (at least
from the paper tray-- it still won't feed from the manual feed
tray).

So now it works but I'm wondering where these bits of plastic
came from. They fit together to make a piece about 1/2" wide and
maybe an inch long, broken off at an angle. Maybe a paper guide
or something? I don't think it came from a toner cartridge (or at
least not from the one that's in there now). The seller claims to
have tested it, so maybe something broke loose in shipping? I
don't see any broken edges in there, but I haven't dis-assembled
anything.

When I try to feed paper in the manual feed tray, it just gives
me a "paper jam" error but as far as I can see it doesn't even
try to pick up the paper. Fortunately I don't need the manual
feed.

Replace the mp tray assembly.

 

[magpie]

That sounds like a good guess. It's not the one that senses that
there's paper in the tray, because I can see that one.

I took some pictures and put them at:
http://my.execpc.com/~rbean/printer/

It looks like they're broken on three sides. The large photo
shows where I found them, under the metal bar that runs across
the middle of the photo, toward the right side.

I looked at the photos but am unable to tell where those pieces came
from. It does appear that your sensor flag is missing though. There
should be a little plastic piece sticking up through the slot on the
left side of the metal flip down cover. It also seems as if there is a
bent piece on the left hand side again, right behind the transfer
roller. I would almost bet that the printer had a paper jam or
multiple page feed problem and the plastic pieces were broken off of
the cartridge. Your best bet in this case would be to take it to a
reputable independent shop (no ties to any of the manufacturers) and
have it serviced. The HP-4's are reliable workhorses that will give
you many more years of service and it's well wrth the cost of repairs.

Frank

 

[magpie]

I'll bet he/she bought it on eBay too.

So? eBay has been very, very good for me. Lots of great deals. Little
money and a little of my time and I make a profit of $300.00 to
$600.00 depending on the printer. But ya gotta know what your getting
and what it's worth.

Frank

 

[Ron Bean]

It also seems as if there is a bent piece on the left hand side
again, right behind the transfer roller. I would almost bet that
the printer had a paper jam or multiple page feed problem and the
plastic pieces were broken off of the cartridge. Your best bet
in this case would be to take it to a reputable independent shop
(no ties to any of the manufacturers) and have it serviced. The
HP-4's are reliable workhorses that will give you many more years
of service and it's well wrth the cost of repairs.

OK-- other than the manual feed tray, it seems to be working
pretty well. I've run almost two reams of paper through it
already (through the PC tray), and only had a couple of wrinkled
sheets. But if I have any problems I'll have someone take a look
at it (or if I decide I can't live without the manual feed).

 

[FredFarkle]

So? eBay has been very, very good for me. Lots of great deals. Little
money and a little of my time and I make a profit of $300.00 to
$600.00 depending on the printer. But ya gotta know what your getting
and what it's worth.

Frank

That is true, you need to do a little research before buying on eBay

Paul