4250 Jamming from tray 2

**theengel** · 07-23-2016

From your post, I can't tell whether or not you're understanding what we mean by 'checking' the solenoid. The solenoid activates the feed from tray 2. There's a sponge pad on it, just like the one on the exit flaps you said were sticking. So the solenoid appears to work, if you're looking at it while running. The problem is, the sponge disintegrates and the solenoid sticks... not in the 'off' position but in the 'on' position. So it keeps feeding even though it shouldn't. This will cause a bunch of different jam codes--none of which really make sense.

If you just remove the sticky pad, you end up with the same problem because the metal plate on the solenoid gets magnetized and still sticks. Every tech has a different solution for this. Some replace the whole solenoid. Some replace the pad on the solenoid with something. Personally, I remove the pad and then bend the metal stopper up a little so that the plate doesn't come into full contact with the magnet. Iv'e done it to hundreds of machines (HP, Brother, Dell, Canon, etc.,) and have never been called back on one.

I might be telling you something you already know... I just couldn't tell, so don't feel insulted if you're well aware of all this.

**Buddy** · 07-26-2016

Thank Engel. I'm going to give that another look.

**Printerdude** · 07-27-2016

You mention tray 2 paper pickup roller keeps cycling up and down, is it picking up paper when this happens? If not, check the paper tray back stop is set to correct position and not broken. If yes, replace or repair tray 2 paper pickup solenoid.

**Buddy** · 08-03-2016

Turned out to be the #2 solenoid. As Engle mentioned, it got magnetized and would not release once it fired.

THANK YOU EVERYONE! (This forum is awesome.)

**blackcat4866** · 08-03-2016

Congratulations on your success!

The definitive test if a solenoid pad is sticking is to press the solenoid down with your finger (or a tool) and hold it down hard for a minute or so. If there's any delay at all in release, take a look at the sound damping pad. I've seen some that are stuck so well, they take a good 10 seconds to get unstuck from the pad. If it's a paper tray that might be 4 pieces of paper multiple fed. If it's a duplex gate it might divert your copy to the exit instead of the duplexer (or vice-versa). If it's a flapper in a finisher you might get 4 or 5 revolutions instead of 1. The possibilities are endless. =^..^=

**theengel** · 08-04-2016

TO be fair, Elmtech was the first to point to that.

**Wild Bill** · 08-29-2016

This is so common I thought I would give some help. This video show how to determine if the solenoid is bad without taking covers off. This test can be used on many other Laserjet printers.