Fixing Printer Printhead, Suggestions on Copper Trace

[Microman]

I am following a video on how to take apart a printhead that is getting an error, that it is not there.

It shows cleaning those 8 contact points where the springs sit. I notice that the one towards the top left shows a lot of green, and not a lot of the copper color. Is it toast, or is there a way to make those springs make contact with the circuit board?

Following this 13 minute video, guy uses what looks like an erasure and then maybe sandpaper at about 5 minutes into the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luPscN3DR90

Thanks..

[Robert M]

Micro,

What make and model printer? For many, the print head is a consumable that requires replacement after X amount of time. The Officejet Pro 86xx series comes to mind. HP sells replacement print heads but they aren't cheap. The cost of the new print head can easily be more than the printer itself is worth.

Robert

[space-time]

try a Q-tip with IPA to clean the pads and sand paper to clean the springs.

The guy does not show what is on the other end of the spring, in the bottom of those 8 holes. Is there another PCB there? how do you clean that? at least take the springs out and inspect, blow some canned air and the put the springs back.

and find a place without flies.

[cbelt3]

contact cleaning involves first 90% alcohol.
If still a problem. an ink eraser or 600 grit wet sandpaper will work, then clean with the alcohol. I"ve also used toothpaste and a small toothbrush in a pinch.

[Microman]

Those springs don't seem to show any sign of what they would do on the other end. On another exact printer like that HP 6700, all I see is the nipple for the ink cart. So maybe its a mechanical movement of some kind to show the cart is there at all.

Yes Flies.... mentioned in comments as sell on the YouTube site.

[mikebw]

Pencil eraser is a good place to start since most people have easy access to that. There are also contact cleaner sprays, which are handy to have around for various potentiometer (volume knob) cleaning needs.

[Microman]

I have eraser, and I have contact cleaner. Just worried that that one is really missing the copper contact and is really a circle of dark, Not sure if the spring will make contact. Mine don't look as good as YouTube video., but no flies

[mikebw]

Hmm, is there any way you could bend the spring to make it contact the area of copper that remains? I'm thinking maybe insert a bit of plastic/glue as a wedge to make the spring tilt to the side just a touch?

Otherwise try to put on a spot of solder after cleaning?

[mikebw]

I wonder what would happen if you just bridged the springs, closing the circuit? No?

[space-time]

mikebw wrote:
I wonder what would happen if you just bridged the springs, closing the circuit? No?

that's a good idea. Those 2 pads enclosed on the same rectangle (J8 - J12) look like part fo a circuit, and yes I could investigate to see what the springs are doing on the other side (*) and bridge the gap with a soldering iron if you know what you are doing.

* is there a metallic contact on the cartridge?

and were J11?