Reinstall the encoder strip - Lexmark X6170 All-In-One InkJet Printer

can i get the name of the printer and the model number

This article from the Lexmark website might give you an idea on how to re-seat the encoder strip back to its position: Printer Cartridge Stalls or Is Blocked

That part number is for the Optical Encoder Strip that the printer uses to tell how far the print heads have moved. I just posted a step by step guide that I hope will help you reinstall the strip in t=your printer. You can get it here.

http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/reinstalling-the-optical-encoder-strip-on-a-hp-officejet-8600-printer/

We do printer repairs in our shop and have seen this happen many times on different models of inkjet printers.

I hope this helps you.

BuddyMc

Here is how to fix error 502.

Rick

» Reposition the Encoder Strip on the A940 All-In-One Printer
To reposition the encoder strip, perform the following steps:

1. Remove the power cord from the unit.
   
2. Lift the lid of the unit, just below the scanner portion of the All-In-One, to expose the inside of the unit where the printer cartridges are located.
   
3. Gently slide the ink cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer.
   

Figure 1: Out-of-position encoder strip

1. Gently move the top part of the printer belt to the right.
   
2. Using your index finger, gently push encoder strip down and then back up to get it back into the slot located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier.
   

Note: There is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into, which is located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier.

While working with the encoder strip, check it for dust or any unclean spots. If any detected, try to clean the strip by wiping it gently with clean cloth.

1. Gently press the strip first to the rear and then forward to ensure that it is seated correctly.
   
2. Manually move the ink cartridge carrier to the left, then to the right to check the positioning of the encoder strip.
   

Figure 2: Correctly seated encoder strip

Note: If the encoder strip moves at all, it has NOT been repositioned correctly.

1. Once the encoder strip has been re-seated, close the lid to the unit.
   
2. Re-connect the power supply to the All-In-One.
   
3. Press the Power button. If the encoder strip was re-seated correctly, the Hardware Error: 502 code will not appear.
   

1. Remove the left hand cover
2. Remove the right hand cover
3. Remove 1 T15 screw that secures the Encoder strip to the left encoder holder
4. Release the Encoder strip from the left hand side
5. Release the Encoder strip from the Service station holder on the right side
6. Remove the Encoder strip from the printer

1. Remove the power cord from the unit.
   
2. Lift the lid of the unit, just below the scanner portion of the All-In-One, to expose the inside of the unit where the printer cartridges are located.
   
3. Gently slide the ink cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer.
   

Figure 1: Out-of-position encoder strip

1. Gently move the top part of the printer belt to the right.
   
2. Using your index finger, gently push encoder strip down and then back up to get it back into the slot located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier.
   

Note: There is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into, which is located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier.

While working with the encoder strip, check it for dust or any unclean spots. If any detected, try to clean the strip by wiping it gently with clean cloth.

1. Gently press the strip first to the rear and then forward to ensure that it is seated correctly.
   
2. Manually move the ink cartridge carrier to the left, then to the right to check the positioning of the encoder strip.
   

Figure 2: Correctly seated encoder strip

Note: If the encoder strip moves at all, it has NOT been repositioned correctly.

1. Once the encoder strip has been re-seated, close the lid to the unit.
   
2. Re-connect the power supply to the All-In-One.
   
3. Press the Power button. If the encoder strip was re-seated correctly, the Hardware Error: 502 code will not appear.
   

In your case It seems like the Encoder strip is broken or its out of printer . However if you see encoder strip inside the printer connected from left to right, try these steps.



Solution:

1. Cleaning the encoder strip:
a. printer should be off and disconnected from power.
b. open the front cover.
c. Using a dry, lint free cloth, pinch the encoder strip on the right-hand side of the cartridge carriage and pull your fingers across it toward the right-hand side of the printer and you can move the cartridges carriage to clean the strip completely.
d. Note: The encoder strip is a narrow band of clear plastic and can be difficult to see without direct lighting running parallel to metallic rod.
e. Close the printer and try again to print.

2. Repositioning the Encoder strip.
a. Remove the power cord from the printer.
b. Open the front cover.
c. Gently slide the ink cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer.
d. Gently move the top part of the printer belt to the right.
e. Using an index finger, gently push encoder strip down and then back up, to get it back into the slot located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier.
f. Gently press the strip first to the rear, and then forward, to ensure that it is seated correctly.
g. Manually move the ink cartridge carrier to the left, then to the right, to check the positioning of the encoder strip.
h. Once the encoder strip has been re-seated, close the scanner lid.
i. Re-connect the power cord to the printer and try again to print.



Incorrect position of encoder strip




Correct position of Encoder strip




Hope it should fix the issue.

Why would you want to remove the encoder strip? The strip can be carefully cleaned in place by following the instructions here.

If you really want to remove the strip (not recommended) open the lid (with the power on). Wait for the printer noises to stop, then carefully move the carriage (with the print cartridges in it) to the left. Unplug the printer power.

The encoder is held on a metal tang at the right side and a spring on the left side. Carefully grasp the encoder near the right side and pull it to the right so it can be dislodged from the tang on the right. You will need to bend the encoder slightly to unhook the end. Once it has been loosened form the right you can then release the left tang and carefully remove the encoder.

When reinstalling the encoder reverse these steps. First thread it properly through the sensor on the back of the carriage, then connect the left end to the spring, then connect the right side.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, Microsoft MVP Printing/Imaging

I hope this helps. There is usually a spring that holds the encoder strip on either or both ends. The have a hole that the spring is inserted in. The hole brakes and the encoder strip comes off. If you have all the parts including the spring you can modify the encoder strip by cutting a piece of strong tape to fit over where the strip was broken. I use packing tape. Poke a hole in it and reinstall encoder strip. You should also be able to buy a new strip but I am not sure. I also would go to an electronic store and find a tool to help. Buy a spring hook. It is designed to help push on and pull off springs and they only should cost a couple bucks USA. I hope this helps, Bill

Re-position the Encoder Strip on your all in one Printer To re-position the encoder strip, perform the following steps: 1. Remove the power cord from the unit. 2. Lift the lid of the unit, just below the scanner portion of the All-In-One, to expose the inside of the unit where the printer cartridges are located. 3. Gently slide the ink cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer. 4. Gently move the top part of the printer belt to the right. 5. Using an index finger, gently push encoder strip down and then back up to get it back into the slot located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier. NOTE NOTE: There is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into, which is going to be located on the back of the ink cartridge carrier. 6. Gently press the strip first to the rear and then forward to ensure that it is seated correctly. 7. Manually move the ink cartridge carrier to the left, then to the right to check the positioning of the encoder strip. 8. Once the encoder strip has been re-seated, close the lid to the unit. 9. Re-connect the power supply to the All-In-One. 10. Press the Power button. If the encoder strip was re-seated correctly, the Hardware Error: 502 code will not appear. See attached pictures, one for an out or place encoder strip, the other for a well placed strip. Other faults that can bring up this error is a carriage rail that needs cleaning and oiling (so you might want to do that while your inside the thing), and also obstructions to the paper ways. Try removing paper jams, and put the printer upside down to shake loose anything that might jam the mechanism. Good luck!