ImageWriter II blank pages

[David Goodson]

I’m resuscitating an ImageWriter II (not sure why but I am). It prints blank pages, incl. from the self test. I’ve bought new ink ribbons/cartridges (which put ink on my fingers so don’t think they’re dried out) and a print head. Nuthin’. Still blank. It responds to a Mac and prints what I send it but it’s blank. I haven’t pulled any PCBs out yet to look at caps.
 

Will some dead capacitors actually allow it to power up and go through the whole process but prevent it from putting ink on paper? 
 

Would blank pages only mean that the 2 print heads I’ve tried are actually dead?

thanks for your help.

 

[superjer2000]

Is your ribbon in the right position?  If you don't have it in front of the head it will do this.  It's easy to accidentally place the ribbon behind the head.

 

[David Goodson]

Yup double checked that with both of them.

 

[cruff]

And the print head is properly located so that if the printing pins will actually contact the paper? While it is attempting to print, can you tell if the pins are even moving? Maybe there is an issue in the circuits that drive the solenoids that actuate the pins.

 

[Dog Cow]

What about the black paper thickness lever, located at the right side of the printer?

 

[David Goodson]

Yup, checked the thickness lever, no effect.

 

[David Goodson]

And the print head is properly located so that if the printing pins will actually contact the paper? While it is attempting to print, can you tell if the pins are even moving? Maybe there is an issue in the circuits that drive the solenoids that actuate the pins.

Would this be something that might be fixed by replacing capacitors?

 

[cruff]

Would this be something that might be fixed by replacing capacitors?

Possibly, especially if they are part of the print head pin driver power supply. Also it would be prudent to check the cable that leads to the print head for breaks or being disconnected. This manual might be useful if you don't already have a copy. https://mirrors.apple2.org.za/Apple II Documentation Project/Books/Sams ComputerFacts - Imagewriter II.pdf

 

[David Goodson]

thanks for that link. i'll check out the cable.