I have a Canon Pixma Mp160 and the alarm light is flashing as well as the on and off button. And an E42 code flashes on the led screen, what would be the problem and how do I fix it. Thanks

Issue: ERROR LED: E, 4, 2
Solution: Press ON/OFF switch to reset the multifunction device

Reset the device when it is not functioning properly. If the device is not functioning properly or to clear memory, reset it.

1. On the operator panel, press and hold the <ON/OFF> button for one second. (The display will go blank.)
   
   Note: It may be necessary to unplug the power cord if pressing the ON/OFF button does not shut off the printer.
   
   
2. Wait approximately ten seconds and then press the <ON/OFF> button again.
   
   
3. Wait until the device has completed its cycling process before submitting another job request.

Your printer requires servicing. This is factory set and alerts you when the service time is here. you can bypass this by

1.) unplug the printer
2.) hold the power button down(DO NOT RELEASE UNTIL I TELL YOU TOO)

3.) Plug the printer back in the led will be green
4.) Press the resetpaper feed button
5.) the light will be red / orange now
6.) press the paper feed button again
7.) the light will be green now
8.) release the power button.

That should work..

Unless the carriage unit is stuck in which case you can eighter take it to a canon dealer to replace it or buy a new one, which ever is more feasible and cheaper.

I can tell you how to change it but that will leave you with the problem of getting the necessary parts and actually putting it back togeter and it actually working propperly since speaciality tools is needed in alinging back the feeder.