HP 8100n false jam 13.3?

[dougd98]

I have an HP 8100n that errors with a "13.3 paper jam check right door" every time I try to print from tray 2 or 3. Paper has not been pulled from the tray and there is no jam.

When I run the path test from both tray 2 and 3, printout comes out fine.

I pulled tray 2 to watch the pickup on tray 3 and the rollers/paper never even move, but still get the error.

Is there a sensor that is bypassed for the path test, but thinks there is a jam preventing regular printing? Or some other problem?

thanks in advance.

[ooojaya]

Sounds like a faulty Paper Input Unit. It is a large assembly which does all the lifting and paper feeding. Easy enuff to replace but expensive. Hope you can find another simpler less expensive solution but I don't think so.

[dougd98]

ooojaya - thanks for the idea. Any ideas on a reputable place to buy for least cost? I'm on a tight budget. This printer is for a non-profit that gives scholarships to foster kids. Any money spent on it is less for the kids.

[MichaelTech]

Not being rude, but have you re-checked the driver for trays installed?
Re-install the driver. Paper path tests by-pass the formatter, so the connection is out of the loop. Network? Parallel?
Try a firmware up-grade,{flash file}
The PIU should not be the fault if tests print.
the duplexer and fuser can have timing issues. Remove duplex unit if you have one.

[dougd98]

MichaelTech - Rudeness not taken! Those are exactly the types of ideas I am looking for. Thanks.
Actually, I get the same results trying to print out the config page or the error log or anything directly from the keypad on the printer itself. Tray 1 works, tray 2&3 both give the 13.3 error and don't print. The only time I can get a printout from tray2&3 is using the path test. So I don't think the driver is the issue.
There is not a duplexer installed.
Im on HPs site looking at firmware updates and their info is not real clear. The only firmware I see for the 8100n is for "LATEST: Digital Copy Module FW, Single MFP, PJL Install" but that sounds like something else. Am I missing something obvious?
Is there a sensor that triggers the 13.3 jam notice that might be bent or out of position or dirty? If so, what can I do to check it? Or am I going down the wrong path with that?
The printer has a little over 240000 pages. These should (with maint) last quite a bit longer than that?

[redcow]

Read MichaelTech's response again and focus.

If it prints 'paper path test' it's bypassing the formatter. It's not using the drivers!

[redcow]

Adding to previous reply.....if it prints the 'paper path test' the paper is using the sensors that it would use during regular printing.
What's the firmware that your printer is using?

[dougd98]

redcow - I'm assuming that by drivers, you and michaeltech are referring to the software on the PC side? Following that line, let me re-state the symptoms in a different and hopefully more clear manner. Bottom line, I agree with your reasoning, but it doesn't play out with the symptoms.

Printer completely disconnected from network and parallel, no PC involved, no drivers involved, only connection is power cable:
- from printer keypad, print configuration page or print Menu Map, paper only in tray 2 - FAILS - 13.3 jam error
- from printer keypad, print configuration page or print Menu Map, paper only in tray 3 - FAILS - 13.3 jam error
- from printer keypad, print configuration page or print Menu Map, paper only in tray 1 - SUCCESS
- from printer keypad, "Print Paper Path Test, Tray 2" - SUCCESS
- from printer keypad, "Print Paper Path Test, Tray 3" - SUCCESS
- from printer keypad, Print configuration with paper in all three trays, the "Paper Trays and Options" correctly shows LETTER in both trays 2 & 3 (printed on the paper pulled from tray 1).

Printer connected to network, printing from PC, drivers used:
- all of the same symptoms as above PLUS
- printing from PC, paper in trays 2 & 3 or paper in only tray 2 or paper only in tray 3, no paper in tray 1 - FAILS - 13.3 error
- printing from PC, paper in tray 1 - SUCCESS!

I think that shows the drivers are not the issue unless you are referring to something on the printer side, not the PC.

So from the symptoms with the printer completely disconnected from any PC and the print path test succeeding and the print config page failing, is a sensor getting bypassed for the path test but not the config page? Or am I missing something more basic in what you and michaeltech are suggesting?

The printer's firmware is 19980902 MB5.33. Is this flashable or is this a part swap to upgrade? Or am I at the latest rev?

The jet-direct firmware (card is a J3113A) is at G.07.03. I see the download for upgrading to G.08.49, but based on the symptoms (problem exists without outside connection, jet-direct not involved) I don't see this changing the symptoms.

Other information - I purchased this printer off of Craig's list and the seller doesn't think this was a problem before I bought it. I have printed a couple of hundred pages from tray 1 and the quality seems reasonable. I would really like to get tray 2 & 3 functioning for our high volume printing. There's a chirping sound about every second that I am assuming is a fuser that will eventually fail.

Any thoughts? Thanks again for the ideas.

[MichaelTech]

doug, set up the network on this unit, and open a browser, put in the IP and you will see the configuration info, and can make some changes there.
Using HP's WebJet Admin, you can easily upgrade the firmware, and administer the printer behavior. Cant think of anything else on this problem.
I'll check back.

[dougd98]

Problem solved! Thanks for all of the inputs. The symptoms were confusing, but now make sense.

It turns out the sensor arm and spring on the feeder assembly (the sensor on tray 1) were both missing. The tray 1 was set to first and the drivers were all set to auto.

I borrowed parts from elsewhere to verify and it is working as expected.

[MichaelTech]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1