I have a lexmark x4650 printer and my son pulled a plastic strip from some where. Now my printer tells me that the cartrige is jam. When I opened it there was a small spring that I have no idea where it came from. I know it's a simple repair if I can find where the strip goes!

The thin strip could be the encoder strip (transparent strip) which is responsible for the proper movement of the cartridge carrier along the carrier assembly. Please contact Lexmark Technical Support Center for additional assistance.

To fix the carrier jam, open the printer cover. Remove the cartridges from the carrier. While the cover is open, check inside for any loose transparent strip - the encoder strip. The encoder strip ensures the proper mechanism of the carrier on the assembly. If everything looks fine inside the printer, close the cover. Unplug and re-plug the printer into the power source to reset it. When the printer turns on, re-insert the cartridges and make sure they are properly inserted and secured in the carrier.

Installing/Replacing your ink cartridges:
1. Open the printer, and then press down on the cartridge carrier levers.

2. Remove the used print cartridge or cartridges. 3. If you are installing new print cartridges, remove the tape from the back and bottom of the color cartridge, insert the cartridge in the right carrier, and then close the color cartridge carrier lid. 4. If a black cartridge is included in the box contents, remove the tape from the back and bottom of the black cartridge, insert the cartridge in the left carrier, and then close the black cartridge carrier lid. 5. Close the printer.

Sometimes the ink cartridge carrier won't automatically move to its loading position even when the printer is on and the cover is open. Follow the steps below:

1. Unplug the printer from the power source.

2. With the cover open, hold the solid white strip that connects from the carrier assembly to the ink cartridge carrier and gently slide the cartridge carrier to the center of the printer.

3. Remove the used cartridges.

4. Load the new cartridges. Close the cover.

5. Plug the printer back to the power source.

Here you will see both catriges if your printer is powered on and you open the cover, the cartriges would come to center position automatically,here you will see a half rounded circle at top,
give it a little push towords down and it will be in you hand and while fixing place the cartrige inside and push it slightly.

If the cartridge carrier won't position to the middle automatically even when your printer is powered on and the cover open, just unplug the printer from the power source. With the cover open, hold the solid white strip and gently slide the cartridge carrier to the center of the printer. Remove the used cartridges. Load the new cartridges. Close the cover. Plug the printer back to the power source.

The long thin clear piece is most probably the encoder strip. The encoder strip has something to do with the communication in the printer to determine the location of the ink cartridge carrier on the carrier shaft. But, unfortunately, that can be hard to hook back in since it's connected way inside the printer. I strongly suggest you contact Lexmark Technical Support for further assistance.

Sounds like the carrier sensing strip (It tells the printer the location of the carrier) most likely time to replace

not had one of these in bits but i take it you mean the transparent plastic strip with line on at the back of printer. just hooking it back is is not going to work you need to get the printer head over to left hand side of printer and the plastic strip runs through a slot in the printer head so the printer head knows it location

your black cartridgt is over

install new black cartrige

Hi there.
You open the lid on the front/top of the printer.
Then the printer will set up the print head with the cartridges in the middle. There are white plastic clips on front of each cartridge, pull them gently towards you and the cartridge moves slightly up or you will have to pull it up. To put the new one is you must first take all the wrapping off the cartridge and twist the orange lid off the bottom of the cartridge. Make sure you put the right one in the right place. Push them gently down until you hear a "click" close the lid on the printer and carry on printing.
Iceman.