Crazy jams on an SR-5000 finisher

[Wishbone]

Let me run this by you guys because I'm stumped. This is the big finisher that staples 100 sheets and it's on an Mpc6000. This machine has run flawless for a year now but all of sudden it's started to jam in the finisher.

It only jams on legal and letter short ways when you stapled. 8.5x11 out of tray 1 and Lct staple perfect as well as 11x17. I have tried using differnet paper trays but didn't make a difference.

I believe that letter long ways and legal takes a different path through the finisher to get to the staple tray. There is a gate that supposed to open to send those sized down there. So far I replaced the finisher main board, reflashed firmware, replaced the moter that drives that gate(no solenoids there) and the sensor on that moter.

None of that worked however I discovered that if I take a pen and manuelly hold that gate open then the legal paper works like it's supposed to and staples. If I don't hold it open the paper gets about 3/4 of the way into the staple tray and jams.

Any ideas???

[RicohTech_TurksCaicos]

Let me ask you something if I may
have you checked to make sure the standard fence is still intact?
B830 4957 Standard Fence
and also none of the springs are missing from the
AF02 2147 Driven Roller


And final check to make sure none of the following listed below are not missing or damaged.
B830 2256 Torsion Spring
B830 2519 Gear - 91Z

Look on page 28 of the parts manual make sure you are not missing any bearings,bushings or springs (rfg022601.pdf)
STAPLE TRANSPORT 2 (B830)

I had a similar prob a while back but it turned out to be the standard fence was busted one of the corners was missing so it would work sometimes and other times not. Good Luck.

[Wishbone]

Sorry, I should of posted a follow up reply to this. It turned out to be a photointerupter burried in one of the gates leading down into the staple tray. A real bugger to get to but replaced the sensor and it now staples legal again.