Printer makes rapid "machine gun" sounds for 3-4 seconds before printing

[Jim971]

My printer makes a rapid  loud "machine gun" sound, like gears stripping for about 3-4 seconds just before starting to print.

I have changed cartridges and the print quality is OK.  I don't know how to cure the noise it makes though.

[midnight-anwrs]

Evening @Jim971,

I may be able to help you with the sounds your c4750 printer is making.

The noise you are describing could be the carriage sticking or a small piece of debris inside the unit. You could go thought each of these documents step by step to clean out your printer to see if it resolves the issue.

• A 'Carriage Jam' Message Displays for HP Photosmart C4600 and C4700 All-in-One Series Printers
• A 'Paper Jam' Message Displays for HP Photosmart C4600 and C4700 All-in-One Printer Series
• 'Out of Paper' Error Message and the Printer Does Not Pick Up or Feed Paper
• The Paper Tears, Wrinkles, or is Damaged During Printing

Please let me know if any of these steps resolved your issue, or if there is anything else I can do to help. 

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks, 

[Jim971]

Hi midnight-anwrs!

Thanks for the input.

I cannot see any paper or scraps from either  front or back of the printer.

I just noticed that the rapid "machine gun" noise occurs when the cartridge carrier arrives at the extreme right hand position.  It sits there for a few seconds, making the noise, then regresses left to the center midpoint and begins to print properly!

Jim

[midnight-anwrs]

Glad to hear back from you @Jim971,

Other than that carriage jam document, there is really not a lot of steps you can try to resolve this issue.

I did find this information too, but be cautious if you are going to try it.

** Note: When inspecting the carriage rod, if you come across a greasy or oil lubricant make sure to leave it there - it's what allows the carriage (that hold the cartridges) to move smoothly back and forth. If this is missing from the carriage bar, you can take a look at the steps in this post copied below for you. 

Waterboy71

Another step that you can take (PLEASE be very careful when doing the following step) is to take a cotton swab and either wd40 or 3-in one oil. Get the cotton swab wet with the wd40 or the 3-in one oil and lightly run the swab on the metal travel bar that the carriage sits on. I suggest that you open the printer lid, when the cartridges move to the middle of the printer, pull the power cable from the back of the unit. You can move the carriage by hand from one side to the other when applying the lubrication.

Please do not use an excessive amount, just enough that the carriage move smoothly. Place the carriage back into the middle of the printer and close the lid and reconnect the power cable.

 I did find this this post too which also talks about lubricating the carriage bar. 

Please let me know if any of these steps resolved your issue, or if there is anything else I can do to help. 

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks, 

[Jim971]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I tried them all, but no help on the "rapid fire" just before it starts to print.

It is over 5 years old, so maybe it is on its last legs.  Since it does eventurally print correctly.  I will continue to

use until it does die completely!

[Josh_Kemmer]

Have you tried using compressed air to clean the carriage rod? There could be little debris (mostly dirt) stuck inside causing the carriage to forcefully go through that area. I've had some serious dirt build up when I got this same issue with an older printer.

[Jim971]

Yes, I tried the compressed air.  No better after!!