Laserjet 5Si Paper Tray 2 latch problem

[Old-Bear]

A while ago ChrisMN wrote about his problem getting a Laserjet 5Si paper tray to stay closed. He appeared to have concluded that a non-replaceable plastic part had failed and therefore is long-serving and very reliable HP 5SI was unrepairable.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-Paper-Jams-Feed-Issues/Laserjet-5Si-drawer-won-t-close/m-p/854...

However, he later posted about acquiring a basic maintenance kit for his 5Si which implied he was still using his 5Si.

I have the same paper tray latch problem and wonder if he (or anyone else) has a solution.

[ChrisMN1]

Many thanks for your posting.

I have been trying to correct my last post about the problem with the Laserjet 5SI Tray 2 lock - because I have since found out that my origiinal post wasn't entirely accurate and have been trying to correct it - unfortunately, for some reason that original post and discussion has been locked and I can't find any way to unlock it to make further postings to it.

Howver, I'm grateful for your contact, as it gives me an oportunity to explain what to do.

Since my last posting, I eventually carried out a complete strip down of the 5SI and found that the Trays don't, in fact, latch into the chassis. Instead, they latch into the Paper Input Unit (Part Number RG5-1852-160CN - see Pages  8-12 and 8-13 in The 5SI Service Manual).

You can see the procedures for removing this on pages 6-46 forwards.

The problem occurred when (going back to my original posting) a black plastic tab which locks the Tray in place broke off the Paper Input Unit - but, if you still have the piece of the tab that broke off, the good news is that it can be fixed.

And if you're looking for the broken tab, take out both Trays and using a torch or inspection lamp, search around inside the bottom of the printer where any broken part will have fallen.

I then used Araldite Standard adhesive and simply glued the tab back into place - giving it a day or so to cure with a light weight on it (about 4 ozs) before putting the unit back into the printer.

And, again good news, so far it has worked well.

I'm pretty carefull in closing that Tray now - I no longer slam it shut - juist in case!

But that repair so far seems to work.

If you don't have the remains of the broken tab, then I think the only hope would be to try to find a replacement Paper Input Unit on eBay - I haven't seen any, so far; but various parts for the 5SI do come up from time to time, so it's worth looking.

The only remaining problem now with the 5SI is finding replacemnt toner cartridges, since HP stopped making them - some of the other manufacturer cartridges are a bit variable in quality, many being remanufactured; but again, you can try eBay - which is also a bit hit and miss!

I hope this helps.

[Old-Bear]

Thanks. That is extremely helpful. I acquired my 5Si about 20 years ago from a tech who has bought several of them for re-furbishing from the state government in NY. I am using it in a SOHO environment and use the 11x17 tray for small architectural drawings. I have had mixed results with "rebuilt" toner cartridges -- on "blew up" and destroyed the fuser with globs of toner. However, I am still finding HP cartridges available online and have several on hand.

I have a PDF of the 5Si service manual and will attempt to remove the back panel and see if I can make a glue repair as you suggest. I will see if I can find the type of glue you suggest.

When my 5SI finally dies, I will need to find a replacement laser printer that handles both 8-1/2x11 and 11x17. I do not want an ink jet printer because I find that if I do not use it frequently, the ink dries up or the print head clogs. I am not sure what model printers HP makes or made which could replace the 5Si, so suggestions are welcome.

Again, thanks for the update. If I get my 5Si fixed (and this discussion is till open), I will post.

[Repairatrooper]

For 11x17 laser, choices are pretty meager. The M712 and it is pricey. You would likey have better luck sourcing an older M5035 MFP. 

[ChrisMN1]

I'm glad you found it helpful.

You ought to be able to see if the retaining tab has broken off without dismantling the printer - remove both trays and compare the apertures where the spigots at the back of the trays get locked, The broken one should show a rough edge and have the retaining tab missing. If they are both exactly the same, it must be a different problem.

If it is a broken tab and you can find the broken part, that's when you start dismantling.

The 5SI is a pretty good printer and worth keeping going.

It's rather slow on graphics but it has Adobe Postscript (Level 2 anyway) and not an emulation and is certainly fast enough on plain text.

Also, if you can get the cartridges, it is cheap to run.

Best wishes.