HP Laserjet 4000n Only blank paper produced

[stylova]

Hello,

I have had my Laserjet 4000n for nearly 20 years and it has never given problems, apart from new drivers when the OS changes!

Anyway, just recently it threw out a message error which I think was 0067. The toner cartridge has only done about 1000 pages, so I don't see it is a problem.

Ever since then  any document sent to the printer actions the paper feed and the paper goes through the printer, but comes out blank. Even when I go through the Information Menu and print the log or Fonts the paper comes out blank.

I bought a replacement Printer Main Logic Formatter Board, thinking the data was not being processed, but it's still the same.

Do I need a replacement fuser board?

Rod

[davidzuts]

First off your issue will not be the fuser since that only binds toner to the paper. Second replacing the formatter without doing an engine test just wasted a lot of money since if the engine test did not work then the formatter would not be the issue and I assume if you press the engine test button you will still get a blank page. This printer is now old so linkages and other items break. On this printer you have a laser/scanner shutter which covers the laser/scanner lens each time you open the toner door. It was designed to prevent dust and toner getting on the lens when the toner cartridge was removed. To be honest it was not really necessary. Suggest you remove the top cover and you will see the mech which opens and closes the shutter. To make it easy just remove the laser/scanner and remove the shutter all together and put the laser/scanner back and I am sure the printer will probably work just fine.

[stylova]

Thanks for the response.

Did as you said, and now have error message 7900FE

I tried to print the Configuration of the printer and the 2 pages came out blank.

I did a cold reset and when I tried to print from the printer settings options I get the error 7900EF

Regards

Rod

[davidzuts]

Lets do this the right way. Disconnect the printer from the computer and also with the power off remove the network card if it has one. Now turn the printer on and if it comes to ready perform an engine test per the attached instructions. Report back if the page has lines or not or even it prints or not. Also I assume you removed the shutter from the laser/scanner and if you did no please do so.

[stylova]

Hello Davidzuts,

Have done as you have said, and did an engine test, and I have a printed page with vertical lines.

I presume as you said previously, I can leave this shutter off?

I then tried to print from the configuration menu to get an events page and I got the 79.00FE error message.

Regards

Rod

[davidzuts · Accepted solution]

Since you got the page with lines, then that would indicate an issue with the formatter. I know you said you replaced the formatter but it is the only item that can now give you this error. Was there any added memory on the formatter since most 4000 printers had slots but nothing in them. Also if you have a network card in the formatter, remove it and try again with just power going to the printer.  See the attached.

[stylova]

Hello davidzuts,

My old formatter board has a network card fitted and a DIMM.

The replacement does not have either.

When the replacement formatter appeared to be the same,  I refitted the original.

I removed the network card and the DIMM, and I still get an engine test paper with lines.

When I tried to print an event log  I get a message: Output bin full; Clear paper from standard output bin.

I re-fitted the replacement board and I get the test paper with lines, and the Output bin full message when I try to print an event log.

Regards

Rod 

[stylova]

Hello Davidzuts,

How stupid of me!

I realised the paper tabs on the output bin were stuck up!

I have reset them and hey presto! I have an event log page, and a Cofiguration page!

However, I tried to print from my laptop by connecting it as a local printer, but there is a problem with the driver as HP do not have a listing for a 4000n, so I used the 4000 series PCL5 and the test page becomes several pages with heirogyphics at the top of the pages. I tried 4000 series PCL6 with the same result.

Regards

[davidzuts]

The output bin issue is when you removed the top cover that output area which is still in the printer at the back was dislodged so the sensor flag is getting stuck by the sensor it intersects. From the front of the printer look at the right side black piece that raises and lowers as the paper comes out the top and you will see where it intersects the sensor on the side of that output piece. I have attached pictures from the service manaul. Figure 6-18 has an arrow pointing at the flag and you will see when you move it that it does not freely move. You need to reseat everything so it moves freely or if you do not print much just cut the flag off on the side since it only activates the sensor when the bin is full.

[stylova]

Thank you for your help, and as the printer is now printing, I can close this out.

It's strange that in all the drivers listed in HP support there is not one specifically for the 4000n.

For some reason the driver I used before doesn't work, so I'm researching for the right driver.

Thanks again,

Rod