Scanner failure

I have an error message of "Scanner Failure" when I try to make a copy. Everything else seems to work fine. The lights are on, I can select print quality, quantity, size, etc., and when I press the button to start copying, I hear the ink cartridges moving, the light comes on under the glass, but then the error message comes up and nothing else happens. The scanner does not move across the glass, and no paper comes out. I am able to change ink cartridges, and the test page prints out just fine. I have tried turning it off and on again many times. I have unplugged from the wall and left it unplugged for varying lengths of time, up to several days, but it won't reset. I called HP and they said the unit is discontinued and there are no parts, either. A local repair shop refused to even look at it because I can buy a new one cheaper than they can fix it. I know new ones are cheap, but I think they are made cheap, too, and this copier was not cheap. I paid $360 for it 4 years ago, and don't want to give up on it until I have exhausted all options. My husband (who fixes everything around here from electronics and appliances to cars and tractors) wants to take it apart and see if he can get the scanner to move again. Do you have any suggestions as to what he can look for or concentrate on, or things he can try? Or is it a lost cause?