Lexmark Optra-paper stops feeding

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ATL

I'm trying my luck with an eBay purchase of a Lexmark Optra E312L,
which the seller did say was not working correctly. Bought reman toner
cartridge at same time. So far I've only tried to print a test page
just to see if everything is working before worrying with drivers.

The problem:
With the paper in the automatic source bin, the paper begins to feed
through, but then it stops right where it meets the green roller on the
toner cartridge. I am pretty certain I have the cartridge installed
correctly and am using the correct one. I did remove the toner tape
before installing. I have removed the cartridge every time the paper
"jams." So, the cartridge has been reseated several times. The
paper is not jammed; it's more like it stops. I have sometimes used
a single sheet and sometimes a few sheets at a time. For what it's
worth, the printer definitely came from a smokers home.

I wonder if the cartridge itself could be the problem. It is a reman
and came from a company in Canada from which I bought from through
eBay.

Thanks,
ATL
 
I doubt that the remanufactured toner cartridge has anything to do with the
problem. The E312 is a decent little laser, but it does have a problem with
picking up multiple sheets which in turn can cause some jams. I suspect the
problem you are seeing is the result of a previous paper jam. A scrap of
paper was probably torn off and left stuck somewhere in the feed path when
removing the previous jam. See if you can find any scraps that may be
blocking the new sheets as they are fed in. If you have any heavy index or
card stock, you might try feeding a sheet of that through. I might have
enough stiffness to get past or push the jam out of the way. FWIW, I've got
an E312 and obviously have been there and done that.
 
ATL said:
I'm trying my luck with an eBay purchase of a Lexmark Optra E312L,
which the seller did say was not working correctly. Bought reman toner
cartridge at same time. So far I've only tried to print a test page
just to see if everything is working before worrying with drivers.

The problem:
With the paper in the automatic source bin, the paper begins to feed
through, but then it stops right where it meets the green roller on the
toner cartridge. I am pretty certain I have the cartridge installed
correctly and am using the correct one. I did remove the toner tape
before installing. I have removed the cartridge every time the paper
"jams." So, the cartridge has been reseated several times. The
paper is not jammed; it's more like it stops. I have sometimes used
a single sheet and sometimes a few sheets at a time. For what it's
worth, the printer definitely came from a smokers home.

I wonder if the cartridge itself could be the problem. It is a reman
and came from a company in Canada from which I bought from through
eBay.

Thanks,
ATL
Click to expand...

As Ron suggests, look for a piece of paper. If there is one, the leading edge
of the sheet that jams will probably have a tiny bit of damage that will lead
you to the right location.
This printer uses an engine which is similar, but not identical, to one of
Canon's old but sturdy engines used in the Laserjet 5L/6L series. The pick up
rollers and separation pads wear and when this happens one of two things occur.
Either they feed multiple sheets or they fail to feed properly. In the latter
case, the pick up roller slips on the paper and the paper can feed but because
of the slippage it gets to the paper sensor too late and the printer stiops.
This is called a paper late error. It looks like a jam but it isn't strictly a
jam.
If you take the cartridge out you can see the grey roller in the centre back of
the printer, it is probably fairly smooth, it should have a rough surface. You
can try to clean the roller with a cloth dampened with water, or with isopropyl
alcohol. You need to do this in situ and it is a little difficult. This may
work and if it does you know what the problem is. If the roller is stained a
light brown colour (you mentioned it came from a smoker's home) then that needs
to be cleaned off.
95% of the time this is the cause of paper late errors in this and other
printers using this engine.
You can buy separation pads and a pick up roller but replacement requires all
the covers to come off and a degree of disassembly, if you are confident to do
this you need one each of the following for the 312L (Lexmark 4044-XXX series).
Pickup roller assy Part Number 12G0067
Separation pad Part Number 12G0062
Friction pad left Part Number 12G0119
Friction pad right Part Number 12G0120
If you want to see what is involved in the replacement download the service
manual from
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/15958/Lexmark_Optra E-310.html
You need to download 2 parts (Look under Multipart). The manual for the 310 and
312 are the same.
The parts are available heaps of places on the WWW so shop around carefully
because there are significant differences in prices.
The Roller assembly above is available in two forms, the tyre only or the tyre
already installed on the shaft with other components, you really only need the
tyre but if so you will need to install it on the existing shaft (the tyre can
be put on 180 degrees out of alignment so you need to look at how the old one
is installed before you slide it off the shaft.
Tony
 
I will give each of your suggestions a try. Thank you both for taking
the time to post. I've post the results later.
ATL
 
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