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- LaserJet Printing
- HP 5L unable to work with windows 10

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02-20-2020 02:56 AM
Hi all, I don`t know as to whether or not i`ve pushed a wrong button but all my help replies seem to be in Italian and I`m having a real problem translating them. If I haven`t then it`s great to hear from all you Italians and thanks for taking such an interest .
02-20-2020 09:00 PM
If there is an error light on the printer as you stated, then there is a printer error of some kind that needs to be resolved first. Can you verify which lights are on? Blinking or steady?
From the service manual with the top error light lit solid.
Paper Out Error - Clear paper jam.
Door Open or No EP Cartridge - Close the printer door and/or verify that the EP cartridge is installed.
Paper Jam. - Add paper.
If you have completed these recommended actions and the error persists, see the next :
Unclearable error
This error will persist if any of the three paper movement photosensors (PS201, PS202, and PS203) and/or their flags are not functional.
1. Verify that all three photosensor flags are not blocked and move freely.
Paper Out Flag (PS202) (
Paper Registration Flag (PS203)
Exit Sensor Flag (PS201)
2. Verify that all connectors are firmly seated on the DC controller and sensors.
Door closed/EP Cartridge Photosensor connector (5L only)
Paper-Out and Registration Photosensor Connector
Note: There is no connector for the Exit Photosensor (PS201) since it is located on the DC Controller PCA. This flag is located beneath the Fusing Assembly.
If all of the flags move freely and all of the connectors are correctly seated, yet the error persists, replace the DC Controller PCA.
02-22-2020 04:21 AM
Hi, Many thanks for your reply. Yes, I couldn`t remember as to whether or not the printer had to be connected to the computer to print a test page. I downloaded a copy of the manual yesterday and it confirmed that you should be able to print a test page when not connected to the computer, and it won`t ,so that eliminated any computer and software problems and that it had to be something on the printer.
Using the manual I stripped the printer housings off and checked the photosensors as advised and found that PS201 "exit sensor flag" had broken off and the return spring is missing .I suspect this has been damaged during a paper jam pull out
The manual actually states that if this sensor flag is not assembled correctly it will give the permanent error light.So I think you are spot on with your diagnososis.
Of course all of this still needs to be proven, but the problem now is,where do I get a flag and spring from ?
If any of you guys have any spares from an old printer I would greatly apprecaite it.
part no. FLAG RB1-7293-000CN & TENSION SPRING RB1-7294-000CN
It appears that this flag and spring were used on various HP printers and,I was surprised to find ,on some Canon models also.So there just maybe a chance that someone has one.
I`ve searched the web and found some advertised, but nearly all in America and the total cost including postage is prohibitive.
i`d love to keep this old machine in working order if I can.
I`m just musing over the possibilty of inserting a card into photo sensor just to see if the error light cancels ,I know I`ll have to close the housing and cartridge interlock also
I may start a new thread just to ask if anyone has the parts.
Anyway, once again , many thanks for help and I`ll report back if it`s sucessful
02-22-2020 09:34 AM - edited 02-23-2020 12:31 PM
Excellent! You found the broken sensor flag, which as you surmise, probably broke when removing a paper jam. For reference for anyone reading, you should always try to remove any paper jammed in the direction that the paper normally travels through the printer and not pull it backwards as it can catch and break sensor flags. I'm sure this is what is causing the error light.
Most all HP printers up until recently, were Canon engines with HP electronics and programming put in them, so yes, it's a Canon print engine. The original HP manuals I had when HP laser printers first came out, were Canon manuals with an HP cover page.
Not many places for the spring to go, so it may still be in the printer. If you can find it, and if you still have the main piece of the flag, you may be able to create the missing piece to fix it.
02-23-2020 04:32 AM
Hi ,Again. many thanks, The bottom part of the sensor flag ie. the "flag "end was laid at the bottom front of the machine and the top part was down where the photo diode sits.I`ve managed to glue the two parts together with the plastic pipe weld that plumbers use and I`m going to splint it with two tiny rods and bind it with very fine copper wire and then epoxy resin it.Pity I don`t have a 3D printer!
However ,i`ve searched everywhere for the spring without any luck.Do you think its possible that its pased through the hole in the chassis where the photo diode is and onto the pcb?
I`m surmising that the spring is a fine hair spring as it`s only the force of the paper travel that tensions it and repositions it after the sheet passes through? From memory can you confirm how much tension the spring produces e.g does it feel very light?
I`m asking this because I`m busily seraching searching through my workshop looking for a spring I can convert.I have a clear picture of it to work from.
Many thanks
Johnm
Maybe the hair spring from an old clock would do it?
02-23-2020 07:53 AM
Hi, many thanks for your reply, the close up pictures are great and will help.I`ve managed to sort of "repair" the flag (bit of a botch) but the spring eludes me ,i`ve searched everywhere for it,even had the PCB out of the bottom .
That spring in your close up looks very tempting ,are you sure you really need it! LOL!.
Can you tell me how sensitive is the spring it looks quite delicate?
regards Johnm