HP Laserjet 4200/4300 fuser problems 2

[19182004]

Just wanted to get a feel from people if they have experienced problems with the HP Laserjet 4200/4300 model? The problem that we have had is that the fuser unit in this particular model has been nothing but trouble. We have had at least 20 fuser units "go bad" on us in less than a one year period. There are two feeder rollers inside of the fuser unit that have been "tearing" up on us. It is the roller located on top of the fuser for some reason just rolls off and then shreds apart. Just want to know if there is anyone else out there who has got frustrated by the same thing ? ? ?

 

[TCouch]

Well, I must say that this is a known issue for HP, but must offer that they have redesigned their new fusers to eliminate this problem. It sounds like the person doing the repair doesn't know HP has redesigned the fuser, and is replacing your torn fuser with another one that doesn't have the new modifications.

I haven't heard this as a problem on the 4300. Only on the 4200. The fuser you need to be ordering, and getting is part number Q2425-69013. And, just so you know, HP will replace these fusers, as long as your printers serial number is in the range that they show as being affected, will replace the defective fusers at no cost, even if your printer is out of warranty. This Service Note expires on Nov 30,2005. After that date, you will need to buy any replacement fusers. So, if the company that is doing your repairs has charged you, you need to talk to them about this.

Tell them, that they can reference HP's Service Note #3439.

Timothy N. Couch
A1 Printech
Anchorage, AK

 

[dbMark]

Is this different from the problem I've had with the right blue mounting clip or fastener hook snapping off the 4200 fuser? See thread697-1011027.

 

[TCouch]

Yes, the blue locking clips are a different issue. The problem with the fuser pealing, is that the heating element was wrapped in a fuser sleeve. The heating element doesn't rotate, but the sleeve does, as the paper goes through the printer. In earlier designs, there is a part of the fuser that was installed at an "excessive angle" and eventually makes contact with the sleeve, causing it to tear. If you have the fuser peeling problem, you will notice a film like material come out of the printer, that is gray on one side, and a kind of yellowish on the other.

As for the broken locking tabs, HP has not addressed that issue.

Timothy N. Couch
A1 Printech
Anchorage, AK

 

[dbMark]

TCouch, is the original faulty version of the fuser the one that ends with "VA1" on the label's right side below the bar code? One of my 4200 fusers where the blue fuser lock broke has that number.

By the way, I think I figured out why the right lock breaks but not the left one. The right lock is on the side where the gears are. Probably the forces exerted on it over time eventually are too much for it. I checked again and still HP does not sell those blue plastic fuser locks as separate parts.

 

[phonedud]

I think you can get the blue clips at

http://www.partsnow.com

 

[TCouch]

Ok, first off, HP doesn't go by any markings on the fuser itself to determine if you have an old designed fuser or new designed. They go by the model number & serial number of the printer itself. I would type the model & serial number ranges here, but I would be typing for weeks. If you respond with your model & serial number, I will be glad to tell you if it's part of the list. Understand that LaserJet 4200 is NOT the model number. HP considers this to be your products name. The model numbers for the 4200 that are in this service note are: Q2425A, Q2426A, Q2427A, Q2428A, Q2446A & Q2447A. The model number can be found on the same sticker as your serial number.

As for the blue tabs, yep, they break. Seen it many, many times. I just had to replace a fuser for one of my customers for that reason. And yes, it was the latch on the side with the gears. As far as I know, HP still has not addressed this as a problem. And yes, Parts Now does carry these clips.

Timothy N. Couch

 

[zoso74]

I have just spoken to HP Support and they have never heard of this Service Note.

My model number is Q2427A
Serial Number : CNFX516027

Can you clarify whether I am eligible and whether this note exists!

Thanks

 

[19182004]

I would have to agree with TCouch on this issue. Hp has verified this as a problem, with a certain S/N and P/N. I guess that they had a "bad batch" of printers. An authorized HP vendor/repair center can probably help you better with you answers concerning this issue.

 

[dbMark]

TCouch, what about these, all Q2425A, all had broken Right fuser locks at one time or another:
CNBX 135498
USBNL 11297 *
USBNS 05690 *

* "VA1" fuser unit

zoso74, have you tried 800-633-3600?

 

[dbMark]

TCouch, I forgot to ask, would HP replace the fusers whatever the problem, or do they have to have the ripped rollers issue? I'm getting the feeling I need to buy a dozen of these clips. Hope there's a bulk price.

Another source for the clips seems to be Reliable Copier Service at

http://www.reliablecopierservice.com

- hmm, anyone know if they're "reliable"?

 

[TCouch]

This is an HP Service Note:

Service Info ID: 3439

Zoso - The Model Number & Serial Number you gave me does not fall within the range of effected serial numbers. HP will not replace your fuser unfortunately.

dbMark - Of the 3 serial numbers you gave me, only 2 qualify for replacement fusers under this service note. They are USBNL11297 & USBNS05690.

As for replacement of the fuser for other issues, the answer is no. HP will only replace based on torn fusers. What happens, is that the fuser sleeve starts to tear on the side of the fuser that has the gears. It peels away as it rotates, and the entire sleeve starts shifting to that side. To get HP to replace these fusers, you will need to have a torn sleeve.

As for this note, be sure to report all torn sleeves to your Authorized HP Service Center. They will be able to replace the fuser at no charge to the customer, and get a $20.00 reimbursement from HP. This note is ONLY valid until November 30, 2005.

Timothy N. Couch
A1 Printech
Anchorage, AK

 

[lazerjet]

one thing to check is the movement of the fuser on the left hand side (viewing from the rear. There could be too much movement..

Cure.....
remove the formatter board you will see 3 screwm marked ( M3 ) undo a bit move fuser rest plate up the retighten screws.. refit units then test

 

[gibsonplayer]

Would the bad fuser cause the toner to fail or leak? I've seen a lot of what the tech is calling "toner failures" lately. Could it be the Fuser casuing the problem?

Thanks in advance!

 

[TCouch]

Toner failures" are usually going to be because of a bad cartridge and not the fuser. I don't use the generic term of "toner failure" because that could really be anything. I would be asking for specific reasons as to why the toner is bad. Is it because of a scratch on the imaging drum leaving a mark on the page, or is the cartridge leaking, or is the charge or cleaning roller not functioning in the cartridge. Now, if the toner does leak, there is a possibility that the toner could work it's way back to the fuser, melt, and cause imaging problems, or jamming at the fuser, but that's more of a result of the fuser failure.

Timothy N. Couch
A1 Printech
Anchorage, AK

 

[ELECTRICWARRIOR]

yup had serveral do this on me as well.

 

[DrewHendCartCare]

I have six HP LJ 4200 Cores, which have all failed for my customers over the last six months or so.

Here is the list of which serial number goes with which core number; sorry, I do not have the Model # specific to each unit, but then that should matter little. They are all 4200 units with various configurations; HP does not repeat serials across configurations. The "model numbers" are little more than a convenient way to track whether the base model came with a duplexor/jetdirect/extra tray when it was sold, BTW.

AAY0077798 USDNS14755 6/9/05

AAX0040463 USBNP15124 6/9/05

AAX0069692 USDNX06872 4/8/05

AAX0094014 USDNS14755 6/3/05

AAE0018127 USBNP14681 8/2/05

AAY0058542 USBNN22430 5/9/05

So, do these all qualify for warranty replacement?

I take care of a fleet of these for a shool district, and another small fleet for a bank. We'll be seeing this issue for a while, and I would like to proactively jump on this prior to downtime, know what I mean?

DrewHendCartCare

 

[TCouch]

I'll look these serial numbers up, and see what I find. I haven't been on the forums lately. Got rear ended waiting at a stop light a few days ago, and haven't been feeling well.

 

[TCouch]

Ok, here are the results:

AAY0077798 USDNS14755 6/9/05
Yes, Covered under this Service Note

AAX0040463 USBNP15124 6/9/05
Yes, Covered under this Service Note

AAX0069692 USDNX06872 4/8/05
Yes, Covered under this Service Note

AAX0094014 USDNS14755 6/3/05
Yes, Covered under this Service Note

AAE0018127 USBNP14681 8/2/05
Yes, Covered under this Service Note

AAY0058542 USBNN22430 5/9/05
Yes, Covered under this Service Note

 

[DrewHendCartCare]

TCouch, I hope you're feeling better.
Would these serials be covered?

USBNX00294 Changed already
USBNP14681 Changed already
USDNS21777
USGNM17777
USGNX05807
USGNN26700
USGNN13294
CNBX401191 Showing issues possibly related...


Sorry to be a pest - maybe you could scan in the service note and we could run these comparisons ourselves? does this forum allow images?

Drew