Ricoh Aficio 1035 jams after fuser

[fixthecopier]

One of my printer customers dropped his service contract with someone else and now wants me to service this for him. The machine jams every page as it is leaving the fuser. It seams to be stopping in what Konica calls a switch back unit, I think Ricoh calls it a bridge. I looked at a parts breakdown and if I were taking a guess, I would guess the solenoid is failing and not putting the gate in the correct position. Second guess would be a paper path photocell. My first move was to try and sell a new machine but since that fell through I need to fix this one.

[cobiray]

The default position for the exit/duplex gate is to exit the machine. If it's jamming on the exit and there is no physical stoppage of the paper, the exit sensor is likely bad. If the jamming occurs when duplexing, the gate solenoid is likely failed. I've seen both conditions as the unit sits directly over the fuser. Hope this helps.

[fixthecopier]

It helps. There is nothing stopping the paper so I guess that means the gate is in the correct position. I will look at the sensor. Do Ricoh photocells have a high failure rate? On the Minolta's , I may have about 1 bad one every 2 years.

[cobiray]

One more thing before you go replacing parts, verify the paper size select dial in the back of the paper tray matches the size and orientation of the paper installed in the tray. If the incorrect letter size is installed (portrait vs. landscape) the machine will also jam in the fuser/exit section. Sometimes the papr make it out and sometimes it's still part way on the machine.

[cobiray]

The fail rate isn't bad. It's about the same age as a di250. So it's probably got 8-10 years worth of heat cycling. Start with the paper tray check first though.

[fixthecopier]

good point, that would be about the point where the size of the paper would be measured.

[Shadow1]

The paper size has bit me several times and it's an easy fix (also easily overlooked)

If that's not it, machines this age have a bad rep for the fuser exit sensor going bad - its attached to the door, sits above the fuser in part of the guide and bakes. I can't remember offhand the jam code this sensor causes, but look in the SMC report to find out where the machine is reporting the jam.

Annother common fault is the duplex/exit gate tends to get stuck. There is a foam pad to keep the solenoid from clunking when it engages that gets sticky with age.

[Jan Sommer]

If that's not it, machines this age have a bad rep for the fuser exit sensor going bad - its attached to the door, sits above the fuser in part of the guide and bakes. I can't remember offhand the jam code this sensor causes, but look in the SMC report to find out where the machine is reporting the jam.

Annother common fault is the duplex/exit gate tends to get stuck. There is a foam pad to keep the solenoid from clunking when it engages that gets sticky with age.

Both good hints that I'd check first.

[fixthecopier]

Both good hints that I'd check first.

You have all given good advice and I thank you. I like to look like I know what I am doing on a call and this will help.

[bonnie750]

the cover above the fuser, the interposer, has a slot which cracks due to the heat and causes this problem