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Jonathan Gilbert

Q: Laserwriter 16/600 PS not working

I have a relatively new Laserwriter 16/600 PS. It was first taken out of its original box in March 2006 and has only ever had 4,500 prints. It was working fine up through a few days ago. The only thing I did that I think might have caused an issue is that I definitely plugged it in while the power switch was in the "I" position (on). So it was turned on before being plugged in. It's possible that it was turned on when it was unplugged before that, but I'm not sure. Normally I'm real careful about this kind of stuff but I was in a hurry.

Anyway I tried to print and it just sits there with the orange Paper light blinking (not the feed light). On the Mac I just got this message: "The printer is fixing a temperature malfunction." I tried turning off the printer and back on, removing all the paper and putting it back in, opening and shutting every door, checking for jams. Nothing, no jams.

I leave it on for awhile to see if it heats up and nothing happens. The manual does not indicate what this means.

This printer is in excellent condition. I dust it and vacuum it regularly. They are supposed to get ten times this many prints before any issues occur... how do I fix this? It's a great printer, I don't want to lose it. Just put in a fresh toner cartridge and everything.

But this is really starting to tick me off. Because I have a new roommate and he asked to use the printer and I told him "no", and then several days later the printer is now doing this crap and apparently does not work anymore. Is there anything someone could have done to break it? Or is it my own fault for simply hot plugging it?

One other thing. When you first turn it on, it goes through lighting each light, then the next, in sequence. Then they all go blank, and this is when, normally, it does the test page. Except now, the paper feed light blinks faintly about 8 times, then the orange paper light blinks slowly and brightly forever.

Someone please help. Where can I take it to get it fixed? Or can I fix it myself? I'm reasonably skilled with installing computer parts but I do not have any electrical equipment such as ohm meters or anything.

macbook pro 2.4 ghz LED, 4GB, 160GB, Mac OS X (10.4.10), also own: plus, se, se/30, cc, iici, iifx, bondi imac, 9600, g3 dt, tibook 550

Posted on Apr 6, 2009 10:43 PM

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Q: Laserwriter 16/600 PS not working

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 7, 2009 5:40 AM in response to Jonathan Gilbert
    Level 9 (61,292 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 7, 2009 5:40 AM in response to Jonathan Gilbert
    This problem is not likely to be caused by sabotage or abuse.

    The error message contains a very confusing terminology problem.

    "Fixing Temperature Malfunction" really means that the Fuser \[aka Fixer]-- the combination of the power module and the Fuser module -- has failed. No amount of waiting will repair it.

    You can remove the fuser with four screws and test it using a meter with extended range. The crucial 2 Ohm measurement is the check for continuity of the fuser element, the other is merely a check of the heat sensor circuit:

    http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/reference/guides/fuser/ex

    If the Fuser is indeed the problem, a replacement can be had from the same source. The power controller may also be available, but you would have to place a query on their forums:

    http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/kits/apple/K69
  • by Jonathan Gilbert,

    Jonathan Gilbert Jonathan Gilbert Apr 25, 2009 6:33 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (6 points)
    Apr 25, 2009 6:33 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    What caused this to happen if not abuse? Unplugging the printer while it's switch is in the "on" position, or plugging it in also in that position... could that cause it? Or more likely from a power surge of some kind? Thanks.
  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 26, 2009 4:53 PM in response to Jonathan Gilbert
    Level 9 (61,292 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 26, 2009 4:53 PM in response to Jonathan Gilbert
    The fuser heats up to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit -- just short of the ignition point of paper -- to melt the toner onto the paper. Anything that gets that hot, then cools off, then gets hot again, over a period of years, is subject to failure. The circuit that drives it is subject to a lot of heat, too, because there is a lot of current going through it.

    The fuser system is like the tires on a car. After a while, it wears out.