M237 Scanner Motor shudders when trying to move

**DougMoney** · 02-08-2019

I have an AR-M237 that the scanner drive motor started shuddering when trying to move. I cleaned and lubed the scan rails. I did get one print out before it coded again. When the scanner returns to home, it shudders and moves really slowly. When trying to scan forward it just sits and the motor shudders like it's too weak to move. I can move the scanner and it feels normal without any unusual drag. I suspect the scanner drive motor but I have only ever had to replace one or two in my lifetime. Just checking for other ideas before I order a motor for it.
Thanks,
Doug

**Hansen88** · 02-08-2019

I have not seen that problem on that particular machine. But on other brands I have seen that and it was the scanner control board or scan motor driver board.

**copiertec** · 02-08-2019

What code are you getting? Are the scanner tape sensors, on the scanner glass, clean and intact?

**DougMoney** · 02-08-2019

Originally Posted by copiertec

What code are you getting? Are the scanner tape sensors, on the scanner glass, clean and intact?

I have cleaned the sensors and they are intact. It started with L1-00. I got an L3-00 today once after it copied and couldn't return the scanner.

**copiertec** · 02-08-2019

Seems like you covered all the bases, L1 is scanner feed error and L3 is scanner return error, I believe the next step is the scanner motor. Like you, I don't recall ever having to change the scanner motor, but these boxes are going on 16 years old, maybe just getting tired.

**bilyahn** · 02-09-2019

Did you check the polybearings that the scanner wire runs over/around? Have had similar problems with this model group. Had to look really closely as the bearing looks fine but wobbles when you move the scanner or is offset just a little bit causing the motor to drag.

Good luck.

Bil

**DougMoney** · 02-09-2019

No, I did not check the poly bearings. I did see that the scanner moved full length smoothly and with the right amount of drag, but I never thought to check that.

**blackcat4866** · 02-09-2019

My suggestion is to remove the scanner motor. With the motor off manually check that scanner moves smoothly. Use the wire rope drum to move the drive.

Then with the motor out but still plugged in, power up and see if the motor vibrates. The belt tension is crucial on scanners. Over-tight and the motor will stall. Loose and the belt jumps. Most scanner motors have a spring to tension the timing belt and that's a good starting point, but it may need a little more or less tension to function properly.

I've replaced one Toshiba scanner motor, and maybe a dozen Sharp Cougar scanner motors. The Cougars originally had 3-phase motors then updated to 4-phase motors (so different scanner board). All of these buzzed, vibrated, and didn't move very much.

**repn1999** · 03-03-2019

might be worth checking voltage to the motor and then all the way back to dc power supply if it isnt correct. id bet a bad motor but could be a voltage or board issue. had a mxm266 do this and ended up being dc power supply. 24v line was reading 19v....