clutch problem on Epson Stylus 680

torpster · 12-05-2006, 06:07 AM

Hi,

I have been playing around with my old Epson Stylus 680 trying to customise it to take objects thicker than paper (i.e. material).

Unfortunately, whilst dissembling the clutch and change lever, I have lost the tension spring that was contained in the clutch. Now my printer comes up with a fatal error on power up - presumably because this innocent looking part is gone - and the combination gear just spins and spins and the red error light comes on and stays on.

I was wondering if it was possible to fool the printer into thinking things were working ok and leave this part out altogether.

BTW I am a novice - my knowledge of the terms only comes from a pdf service manual I downloaded.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Stephen

**kev1952** · 12-05-2006, 07:25 AM

The reason that printer manufacturers don't supply a service manual with the printer is to discourage people from doing exactly as you have done. I have worked on computers for near on 30 years and have never in that time even attempted to pull a printer apart. They are not designed to allow the average user to attempt repairs on them. An older printer is not worth the money you will now need to spend to have it repaired - better to toss it out and get a new one (and one that will do what you want to do).

torpster · 12-06-2006, 02:11 AM

Well that's me well and truly told off.

Thanks for your reply and I understand where you're coming from, but the question still remains whether it's possible to override this clutch function.

I've solved the problem of the fatal error by checking the spring on the PE sensor (which wasn't connected properly) it seems the printer constantly thought that there was a paper jam. However, I'm still interested whether removing the clutch is storing up problems for the future (bearing in mind that I won't be using the paper feed).

I hope that someone can help me, but if I've genuinely misjudged the message board, can someone point me in the direction of a suitable message board (more hands-on / take things apart)?

Thanks a lot (and I forgive you for beating us at cricket!)
Stephen

**kev1952** · 12-06-2006, 05:56 AM

Didn't mean to imply that you were getting a real "telling off" :) It's just that I have seen so many of these attempts before that have ended in disaster that I thought I should mention it.

And there'll be other chances for you to get the urn back again (but not any time soon).

torpster · 12-06-2006, 06:56 AM

no probs, and no offence taken. I know what you mean. But, it's my old, superceded printer and is due for the scrap yard, so I thought I'd have a go and be adventurous.

(unlike England, of course...)

I'll let you know if I manage anything amazing with it. I keep reaching dead-ends, but I'll muddle through.

Cheers,
Stephen

12-05-2006, 06:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
torpster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3 OS: Win2000	clutch problem on Epson Stylus 680 Hi, I have been playing around with my old Epson Stylus 680 trying to customise it to take objects thicker than paper (i.e. material). Unfortunately, whilst dissembling the clutch and change lever, I have lost the tension spring that was contained in the clutch. Now my printer comes up with a fatal error on power up - presumably because this innocent looking part is gone - and the combination gear just spins and spins and the red error light comes on and stays on. I was wondering if it was possible to fool the printer into thinking things were working ok and leave this part out altogether. BTW I am a novice - my knowledge of the terms only comes from a pdf service manual I downloaded. Thanks in advance for any help. Stephen

12-05-2006, 07:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
kev1952 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Townsville, Australia Posts: 1,007 OS: Win Vista Home Premium	The reason that printer manufacturers don't supply a service manual with the printer is to discourage people from doing exactly as you have done. I have worked on computers for near on 30 years and have never in that time even attempted to pull a printer apart. They are not designed to allow the average user to attempt repairs on them. An older printer is not worth the money you will now need to spend to have it repaired - better to toss it out and get a new one (and one that will do what you want to do). __________________ Cheers.... Kev *"The Definition of an Upgrade: Take old bugs out, put new ones in."* Please don't send me PM's for support. Post in the forums for everyone to benefit.

12-06-2006, 05:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
kev1952 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Townsville, Australia Posts: 1,007 OS: Win Vista Home Premium	Didn't mean to imply that you were getting a real "telling off" :) It's just that I have seen so many of these attempts before that have ended in disaster that I thought I should mention it. And there'll be other chances for you to get the urn back again (but not any time soon). __________________ Cheers.... Kev *"The Definition of an Upgrade: Take old bugs out, put new ones in."* Please don't send me PM's for support. Post in the forums for everyone to benefit.

12-06-2006, 02:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
torpster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3 OS: Win2000	Well that's me well and truly told off. Thanks for your reply and I understand where you're coming from, but the question still remains whether it's possible to override this clutch function. I've solved the problem of the fatal error by checking the spring on the PE sensor (which wasn't connected properly) it seems the printer constantly thought that there was a paper jam. However, I'm still interested whether removing the clutch is storing up problems for the future (bearing in mind that I won't be using the paper feed). I hope that someone can help me, but if I've genuinely misjudged the message board, can someone point me in the direction of a suitable message board (more hands-on / take things apart)? Thanks a lot (and I forgive you for beating us at cricket!) Stephen

12-06-2006, 06:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
torpster Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3 OS: Win2000	no probs, and no offence taken. I know what you mean. But, it's my old, superceded printer and is due for the scrap yard, so I thought I'd have a go and be adventurous. (unlike England, of course...) I'll let you know if I manage anything amazing with it. I keep reaching dead-ends, but I'll muddle through. Cheers, Stephen