Beware of the HP LJ P3015 P3010 Fuser Kit Replacement and Don’t Damage Your Laser Printer
Our customers wait in anticipation for the new products to roll out. Faster speeds, added features to make their jobs easier (or more complicated depending on who the end user is). However, like new model vehicles, new model printers can also have their quirks. So much so that they can cause service techs major headaches if they don’t know what they’re getting into.
One such situation is the new HP LaserJet P3015 printer. This unit was introduced in June of 2009 and is the replacement for the LaserJet P3005. This series has become vastly more popular with the recession as businesses look for lower-priced units as they try to stay under the ceiling of capital expense requirements.
These units are also speedy, thus twice as attractive with the P3005 rated at 35 ppm and the P3015 rated at 42 ppm: not bad for a printer that’s only slightly larger than a breadbox. So, what’s the downside? Service techs will run into issues when replacing the fuser.
HP revamped the fuser drive slightly to help clear paper jams. When the toner cartridge cover is opened, or the back door is hyper-extended (I’ll explain later), a mechanical cam removes pressure between the upper fuser film and lower pressure roller. While the concept makes sense, if a service tech assumes the P3015 is just like the P3005, they may end up damaging the printer.
Smartest Shortcuts Getting to the fuser is slightly different than the P3005. We start by “hyper-extending” the face up tray, as noted earlier, on the rear of the printer. This is done to get to the two screws to remove the rear cover. The printer is designed this way and it won’t cause damage if only extended out to 90°. The difference a service tech will notice right away is the white arm.
On the P3015, the white arm on the right side of the face up delivery tray works with the cam to take pres-sure off the fuser rollers should a jam need to be cleared from the face up tray area. To remove the rear cover, the service tech needs to unhook the arm by pressing up on it and detaching it from the face up tray (Figure 2).
Once completed, the procedure here is similar to the P3005 in removing the 2 screws and finding the clips inside the cassette area. With the rear cover removed you can vaguely see the cam top right (Figure 3). It doesn’t look like much until you remove the fuser. Then you can clearly see what’s going on.
To remove the P3015 fuser:
1. Make sure the printer is off and unplugged before going any further.
2. Unplug one connector on the right and left.
3. Remove the rear right cover (on your left) by pulling it up from the bottom, then unplug the fuser power connection to the power supply.
4. Remove the duplex media feed guide which is the black curved piece of plastic at the base of the fuser.
5. Gently pry up on two clips and slide to rear of unit to remove. four screws – one in each of the four corners. Don’t remove the obvious one lower center.
6. Make sure the toner cartridge cover is closed and remove fuser by sliding out the rear
of the unit. Once the fuser is out, we can now clearly see how the cam system works. Take the fuser and note the pivot key on the top (Figures 4 and
5). If you turn it you can see the upper film move slightly up and down, and clearly see the cams move on the top of the fuser. Now go back to the printer and take the white arm that was attached to the face up tray (Figure 6).
Note the position of the coupler. You can see straight through it. Pulling on the arm (Figure 7), watch the coupler rotate to the closed position or cams engaged position. If your printer isn’t following our description, it could be due to the toner cartridge door –check to see that it’s closed.
Note the white arm is not being pulled but the coupler is rotated (Figure 8).
What you can’t see in the photo is the toner cartridge door is open. A fuser cannot be installed with the coupler in this position. Trying to force it would break the fuser or the coupler so pay attention. Also, the coupler and key on the fuser are not available according to the service manual – so again, be careful.
So what moves all of this? On the left side of the printer, behind the covers is a set of linkage that works with the toner cartridge cover and the white arm for the face up tray (Figure 9). Thus far we’ve not seen issues with the linkage so we will let sleeping dogs lie for now. Reinstallation is the reverse of the procedures listed above.
Just remember a couple key points:
1. Be sure the key on the fuser and coupler are in the correct position before replacing the fuser. Remember the toner cartridge cover can rotate the coupler too.
2. Don’t forget the duplex media feed guide that sits at the base
of the fuser once installed.
3. Remember to hook up the white arm to the face up tray when you’re done.
To summarize, the P3015 brings more speed, an attractive price point, and a different fuser install. Follow these steps and you won’t damage the printer.
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Metrofuser is a leading global innovator, manufacturer of printer parts, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks. Products and services include hp printer parts, printers and printer repair training. Parts include hp printer parts such as printer fusers, printer maintenance kits and other hp printer replacement parts. The company's, customers include office equipment dealerships, online retailers, repair centers and MPS service providers nationwide. Metrofuser has been named to Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing companies five consecutive years.