Epson Printer Problem -- won't print images: Although my Epson 3800 prints things like nozzle checks, it won't print any images that I send to it. The little status window says...

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

Although my Epson 3800 prints things like nozzle checks, it won't print any images that I send to it.

The little status window says something like, "Output tray is closed. Open it to continue." with a little image showing how to open the tray.

I've been printing with it for years (it's an excellent printer). Epson won't tell me how to get at the output tray sensor. The service manual (which Epson refuses to send to end users but I got one anyway) hardly mentions the output tray.

Can anyone help, please?

FrumCA

Sounds to me like the output tray or, more likely the tray extension is, as the error msg implies, closed. If this is the case, the paper will not be able to feed and exit the printer properly. Double check that the tray and extension are open.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I would think that for an output tray sensor that a NO or NC switch would be used. NO NC = Normally open or closed. I would further think that when tray is open that the switch would close to tell the circuit that the tray is in the correct position. If so simply cut and splice the wires. Should that not work then it is the opposite. If so, simply cut the wires. (not responsible for consequences) Since the printer does not work, then what do you have to loose using a simple approach?

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

FrumCA wrote:

. . . Double check that the tray and extension are open.

Ahem. As I said, I've been printing with this printer for years.

Perhaps someone with a 3800 can run a little test for me. Keep the output door/tray closed; send an image to be printed so the "output tray is closed" message is displayed; then open the door in stages and tell me at what point the message goes away. That might be a great help!

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

dpullum wrote:

I would think that for an output tray sensor that a NO or NC switch would be used. NO NC = Normally open or closed. I would further think that when tray is open that the switch would close to tell the circuit that the tray is in the correct position. If so simply cut and splice the wires. Should that not work then it is the opposite. If so, simply cut the wires. (not responsible for consequences) Since the printer does not work, then what do you have to loose using a simple approach?

Thanks. Good idea. Now. . . which wire is that? . . . service manual hardly mentions the sensor at all.
Also (while contemplating the disassembly procedure) is the output tray the same as "Board Paper Tray"? It's hard to tell in the schematics, and I know there is an alternate front feeder slot so I can't really tell what I see.

FrumCA

ygelman wrote:

Thanks. Good idea. Now. . . which wire is that? . . . service manual hardly mentions the sensor at all.
Also (while contemplating the disassembly procedure) is the output tray the same as "Board Paper Tray"? It's hard to tell in the schematics, and I know there is an alternate front feeder slot so I can't really tell what I see.

This might help:

http://files.support.epson.com/pdf/pro38_/pro38_pg.pdf

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

FrumCA, while not the same as mine, generally informative, saved and filed under Epson on my HD.
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YGELMAN: use a flash lite, mirror, glass top table what ever it takes to see. There will either be a hold where when closed the tray punches a contact or there will be a switch where you pull the output tray out... just look around and the switch will typically have at most 3 contacts... some have a NO NC usage.. for two diff circuits.. worse comes to worse get a new switch and mount outside the area and tape in the "working" position. You own the printer... yours to modify... I mod my Pan ZS20 camera the second week the camera belong to me not Panasonic; likewise you own the Epson.. do what you will with it.