Title: NeXT laser printer doesn't print
Post by: invsin on July 26, 2021, 09:43:43 PM
Post by: invsin on July 26, 2021, 09:43:43 PM
This 1989 printer had always worked fine, and as recently as a few months ago.
It powers up, but when a job is put into the queue nothing happens - it just sits there forever. Normally you would hear noise as the printer prepared to print.
The temperature in the printer (anywhere inside) doesn't change - it's as if the printer is waiting forever to warm up. The Printer Tester app status shows "Hardware failure Fixing assembly malfunction". The toner cartridge seems to be inserted correctly.
Has anyone fixed a problem like this before?
Title: Re: NeXT laser printer doesn't print
Post by: sasounet on October 31, 2021, 06:33:12 PM
Post by: sasounet on October 31, 2021, 06:33:12 PM
I have the same problem. I think it is related to a thermal switch that failed and always report the printer is to hot to print. Check the archives there are threads taking about this. Your problem might be different. Does your printer report messages when you open it while powered on ?
Title: Re: NeXT laser printer doesn't print
Post by: invsin on November 03, 2021, 07:00:12 PM
Post by: invsin on November 03, 2021, 07:00:12 PM
It took a while (not that easy to disassemble this printer!), but I was able to test the thermal switch and thermistor. Both are working fine. The problem is somewhere else.
The message displayed by the Printer Tester (NeXTAdmin app) is "Hardware failure Fixing assembly malfunction". But once, out of about 30 times, it did display that the printer was warming up, followed by a paper jam message (no paper was loaded), but then that was soon followed by the "Hardware failure ..." message.
A U-shaped plastic part did fall out when I removed the hinged cover where the paper exits the printer. I've tried over and over to figure out where this piece goes, but it doesn't seem to fit anywhere. See attached photo.
I haven't looked at the printer's circuit board(s) yet (looks like another disassembly challenge).
I searched the archives a second time but haven't yet found anything yet. I'll keep looking.
To recount:
- the printer turns on and the fan blows
- documents sent to the printer go into the printer queue where their status remains "Printing" forever
- it doesn't try to load paper
- the printer doesn't warm up
- it doesn't report any temperature problems
The message displayed by the Printer Tester (NeXTAdmin app) is "Hardware failure Fixing assembly malfunction". But once, out of about 30 times, it did display that the printer was warming up, followed by a paper jam message (no paper was loaded), but then that was soon followed by the "Hardware failure ..." message.
A U-shaped plastic part did fall out when I removed the hinged cover where the paper exits the printer. I've tried over and over to figure out where this piece goes, but it doesn't seem to fit anywhere. See attached photo.
I haven't looked at the printer's circuit board(s) yet (looks like another disassembly challenge).
I searched the archives a second time but haven't yet found anything yet. I'll keep looking.
To recount:
- the printer turns on and the fan blows
- documents sent to the printer go into the printer queue where their status remains "Printing" forever
- it doesn't try to load paper
- the printer doesn't warm up
- it doesn't report any temperature problems
Title: Re: NeXT laser printer doesn't print
Post by: timu on November 05, 2021, 09:14:16 AM
Post by: timu on November 05, 2021, 09:14:16 AM
Maybe the fuser lamp ("fixing roller heater") is burned out?
Do you ever see it glow?
Do you ever see it glow?
Title: Re: NeXT laser printer doesn't print
Post by: invsin on November 09, 2021, 02:36:48 PM
Post by: invsin on November 09, 2021, 02:36:48 PM
I've not seen anything glowing or warming up, so yeah, maybe the fuser lamp (glass tube with a light brown color?) is burned out. It doesn't look easy to take that lamp out, so it's probably time to recycle this printer.
Title: Re: NeXT laser printer doesn't print
Post by: nextchef on November 11, 2021, 03:22:01 PM
Post by: nextchef on November 11, 2021, 03:22:01 PM
Before recycling the unit you might check with Rob at Blackhole to see if there are any replacement options. If not there still may be some other parts in the unit that are worth salvaging for fixing other users printers.
Title: Re: NeXT laser printer doesn't print
Post by: Scutboy on November 12, 2021, 08:46:13 AM
Post by: Scutboy on November 12, 2021, 08:46:13 AM
+1 to nextchef's comment. If you are done with that printer, there may be pieces/parts that others can use. At this point "organ donors" are about our only resource to keep these things running/looking good.