Description: ImageWriter Carriage Assembly stops or vibrates
Header: ImageWriter Carriage Assembly stops or vibrates


 This article last reviewed: 28 March 1988

 PROBLEM DESCRIPTION #1:  The ImageWriter printer carriage
 assembly freezes or grinds when connected to a Macintosh or Apple
 II Super Serial card.

 BEFORE YOU START: Familiarize yourself with the ImageWriter
 Technical Procedures.

 CAUSE:  One or more of the carriage drive transistors is
 defective or one or more of the insulators is cracked or broken.

 CURE: Remove the string of carriage transistors from the
 ImageWriter referencing the technical procedures if needed. Check
 to make sure that none of the insulators is missing. Each
 transistor should have a mylar insulator between it and the
 printer chassis. An insulator for the screw should also be
 present. Install new insulators if any are missing or cracked.
 Reassemble the printer and run the printer self-test.

 In the event that all insulators are in good condition then
 replace the string of carriage transistors. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO
 REINSTALL ALL INSULATORS WHEN THE CARRIAGE TRANSISTORS ARE
 REPLACED. REMEMBER THAT THE PRINTER WILL EXHIBIT THE SAME
 SYMPTOMS IF THE INSULATORS ARE MISSING. (A TRANSISTOR SHORTED TO
 GROUND.)

 Run an extensive self test on the printer. Sometimes the CPU
 board will cause transistor(s) to fail again. In the event that
 this occurs, replace the CPU board and the transistor assembly.


 PROBLEM DESCRIPTION #2:  The Carriage Assembly stops or vibrates
 when powered on and the printer IS NOT connected to a computer.

 CAUSE: Occasionally, one of the transistor wires is cold-soldered
 to the transistor itself.

 CURE:  Replace the string of carriage transistors.
 Copyright 1988, Apple Computer, Inc.
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