Where on the back of the cartridge does the encoder strip go through Ours came off and dont know how to put back on (Lexmark 6150)

This article in the Lexmark website will give you an idea on how to re-seat the encoder strip in the carrier assembly: Printer Cartridge Stalls or Is Blocked

If the encoder strip has become unseated: 1 Turn off the printer and disconnect the power cable from the back of the unit. 2 Open the printer's front cover. 3 Pinch the top of the carrier belt and gently move the cartridge carrier to the center of the printer. 4 On the back of the cartridge carrier, there is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into. Gently push the encoder strip down and back up to get it into the slot. NOTE: If the strip is completely out of the slot, it may be necessary to move it first forward and then back. 5 Move the cartridge carrier back to the left-hand side of the printer with the carrier belt. 6 Reconnect the power supply and turn the printer back on
If you need some graphical reference, please refer to this article: Printer Cartridge Stalls or Is Blocked .

It goes through a slot in the printer cartridge carriage. On one end of the printer it hooks into a tab on the chassis and the other end it hooks onto a spring attached to the chassis. Putting the encoder strip through the cartridge carriage first will give you a good idea of where it connects.

Hello,
this is an encoder strip error, this is the resolution:
Place an index finger on the encoder strip on either side of the cartridge carrier.
On the back of the cartridge carrier, there is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into. Slightly push the encoder strip down and then back up to get it into the slot.
Lightly press the strip first to the rear and then forward, if necessary.
Clean the encoder strip with a dry tissue. Also clean the contacts of the printer.
For exended help make your selections at LEXMARK support page:
http://support.lexmark.com/index?page=localeSelect&jumppage=home

Please follow the instructions given below:
1. Disconnect the USB cable and the printer power cable.
2. Please disconnect the power supply from the back of the printer.
3. Then remove the cartridges from the printer.
4. Please reconnect the power supply back and turn on the printer.
5. If lights are blinking then printer encoder strip is most likely the problem. Unplug the power from the printer. Open the front cover and move the cartridge carrier to the center. You should see a white ribbon cable, a thin plastic strip and a black belt with teeth.
6. The thin plastic strip is the encoder strip. It rides in a sensor on the back of the cartridge carrier that you will not be able to see. Reach in with the first finger of either hand and carefully strum the strip as if playing a guitar.
7. The strip will need to be lowered slightly and brought towards you slightly. Please be careful not to break the strip or your printer will not function. Once you believe the strip is set correctly, plug the power back and let us know if the lights are still blinking.
8. If you cannot repair the strip, please let us know so that we can assist you further.
Please Note: Fixing the encoder strip is a delicate procedure. During the troubleshooting, if the strip breaks, you will not be able to use the printer.
9. However, if lights are not blinking then try inserting one cartridge at a time and check if you can see any lights blinking. If light blinks with one cartridge then that cartridge is defective.

The encoder strip is most likely the problem. Unplug the power from the printer. Open the front cover and move the cartridge carrier to the center. You should see a white ribbon cable, a thin plastic strip and a black belt with teeth.
The thin plastic strip is the encoder strip. It rides in a sensor on the back of the cartridge carrier that you will not be able to see. Reach in with the first finger of either hand and carefully strum the strip as if playing a guitar.
The strip will need to be lowered slightly and brought towards you slightly. Please be careful not to break the strip or your printer will not function. Once you believe the strip is set correctly, plug the power back and try printing the self test. If it slams to the left again, the strip is not yet set correctly.
Please Note: Fixing the encoder strip is a delicate procedure.

Try to print any document.

If this failed then printer cannot be repaired, if the printer is under warranty then Lexmark will replace the printer else. I am sorry to say you need to purchase a new printer

your's tech expert
Jeeth

First unplug your printer...

Lift your printer top, like you are going to change your ink cartridges.

Unplug your scanner & control panel by disconnecting the 3 ribbon cables

Then, you will need a screwdriver (philips head). remove the screws (about 4) from the inside housing cover.

After you have this cover off...

You should be able to see the sides of the cartridge. Take your encoder strip (gently) and thread it through the back of the cartriidges. Note: There are small slits on the side where you can thread.

If the encoder strip has come completely off (there should be tension if it is connected), you will have to located the right and left "pins" to attach it back to. I have a lexmark x-2500 so, mine are on the metal frame. The right end (arrow up) attaches to a metal strip which points straight towards you (a part of the metal frame) with a small notch at the right end and on the left end there's a type of "punchout" pin which is a part of the metal frame. I had to slightly bend the right end pin to the right, just enough to create some tension & keep the encoder strip from popping back off. The left end pin should already be bent out to the left.

Hopefully, this helps someone

The encoder strip may have gone out of range of the sensor, or it might be dirty.

1. Switch off the printer using the power button.
2. Disconnect the power cable from the back of the Lexmark X5100/X6100 Series.
3. Leave the power cable disconnected for 30 seconds.
4. Slide the cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer by taking the top part of the belt and moving it gently to the right.
5. Take out both cartridges.
6. Place an index finger on the encoder strip on either side of the cartridge carrier.
   
7. On the back of the cartridge carrier, there is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into. Slightly push the encoder strip down and then back up to get it into the slot.
8. Lightly press the strip first to the rear and then forward, if necessary.
9. Clean the encoder strip with a dry tissue. Also clean the contacts of the printer.
10. Reconnect the power cable and switch the printer on again.
11. Try to print....

Good luck...

Hardware Error 0502 on LCD Display


Cause
The encoder strip may have gone out of range of the sensor, or it might be dirty.
Resolution
You need to check the encoder strip on the printer. This is a clear strip running the length of the printer, above or behind the cartridge carrier.
Check the encoder strip

1. Switch off the printer using the power button.
2. Disconnect the power cable from the back of the printer.
3. Leave the power cable disconnected for 30 seconds.
4. Slide the cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer by taking the top part of the belt and moving it gently to the right.
5. Take out both cartridges.
6. Place an index finger on the encoder strip on either side of the cartridge carrier.
   
   
   
   
7. On the back of the cartridge carrier, there is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into. Slightly push the encoder strip down and then back up to get it into the slot.
8. Lightly press the strip first to the rear and then forward, if necessary.
9. Clean the encoder strip with a dry tissue. Also clean the contacts of the printer.
   
   
   
   Click here for an enlarged view. The contacts on the back of the cartridge carrier are the ones you need to clean. IMPORTANT: Use a dry tissue.
   
   
10. Reconnect the power cable and switch the printer on again.
11. Perform the hardware test, first without the cartridges and then with both cartridges. Click on the applicable article link below.
    
    How to Perform the Hardware Test on the Lexmark X5150
    How to Perform the Hardware Test on the Lexmark X6150/X6170
    
    
12. Make a standalone copy.
13. If the copy is satisfactory, repeat the test once to confirm that the error is gone.

Thank you

Cause
The encoder strip may have gone out of range of the sensor, or it might be dirty.
Resolution
You need to check the encoder strip on the printer. This is a clear strip running the length of the printer, above or behind the cartridge carrier.
Check the encoder strip

1. Switch off the printer using the power button.
2. Disconnect the power cable from the back of the Lexmark X5100/X6100 Series.
3. Leave the power cable disconnected for 30 seconds.
4. Slide the cartridge carrier to the middle of the printer by taking the top part of the belt and moving it gently to the right.
5. Take out both cartridges.
6. Place an index finger on the encoder strip on either side of the cartridge carrier.
   
   
   The red arrow points to the encoder strip. Click here
for an enlarged view.

7. On the back of the cartridge carrier, there is a small slot that the encoder strip fits into. Slightly push the encoder strip down and then back up to get it into the slot.
8. Lightly press the strip first to the rear and then forward, if necessary.
9. Clean the encoder strip with a dry tissue. Also clean the contacts of the printer.
   
   
   Click here for an enlarged view. The contacts on the back of the cartridge carrier are the ones to clean. Use a dry tissue.
   
10. Reconnect the power cable and switch the printer on again.
11. Perform the hardware test first without cartridges and then with both cartridges. Click on the applicable document below. How to Perform the Hardware Test on the Lexmark X5150
    How to Perform the Hardware Test on the Lexmark X6150/X6170
    
12. Make a standalone copy.
13. If the copy is satisfactory, repeat the test once to confirm that the error is gone.