broken connector for CONTROL PANEL on printer - additional info.

[wallybrite]

i removed the top casing of the printer to check if the spring that controls the shutter on the left side of the laser/scanner unit had become loose.  I managed to remove the cover and see that the spring was still in place.  however, i pulled too hard on the cover and noticed the white 6-pin plug of the connector, had come off. Tried to get it back in the socket and it just will not go in. it looks as if the pins are bent but am really not sure how the original looked. 

two things :  (1) can anyone say how i can get the connector back into the socket (all the attached wires are intact) and

(2) the spring controlling the shutter seems to be in place.  Is there anything else i can check that might be the reason behind the blank pages being printed?    Many thanks for all suggestions.

[davidzuts]

I answered the previous by telling you to use a flat tip screw driver to straighten the pins. Look at them close as there are I think two rows and you should be able to tell which ones are bent. As to the shutter I think there was a mech where a fin on the toner cartridge moved the mech to open the shutter. The easy thing to do is just remove the shutter which is very easy. The shutter was only used to prevent dirt or toner getting onto the laser lens when the toner cartridge was removed. Really was not necessary.  Also make sure you are putting the plug in the correct direction. Turn it 180 degrees if the pins seem straight and it will not go in.

[wallybrite · Accepted solution]

thanks so much for your helpful reply which i am now trying with regard to the pins in the plug.  Bit of a challenge but i will let you know how i get on.  with regard to the shutter, i really am not sure what this looks like and where exactly it is in the front of the printer.  But the reason i removed the top was to investigate where a black lightweight plastic "thing" belongs as it was lying loose on the floor in front of the new cartridge which i had just put in. from that moment on, only blank pages were being printed.  Previously i only managed to do a test print and although it did print something on the page it was gibberish but at least it was printing and then i got the message "toner low" which prompted me to change it.

I wonder if these forums allow you to attach photos .  i am new to any type of forum but would behappy to attach a photo of the black plastic "strip" that i found lying loose.  meantime i shall continue with the plug.  cheers again

[davidzuts]

I posted to your other thread. Is that the piece?

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/LaserJet-Printing/hp-laserjet-4-printer-prints-only-blank-pages/m-p/62...