Keya's Blog

Fixing the Epson Scanner 3170

I have an Epson 3170 scanner.  I had moved into a new office and to my dismay, when I tried to scan a document, I heard a horrible grinding, clanking sound.  I had found other people online who had fixed their scanners, so I thought I’d try.  One person had an elaborate system that involved buffing down the stubs and creating new clasps, but my technical metallurgy isn’t that high, so I found a much easier way that involved screws, washers and my power drill. If it’s the same problem, you should be able to fix your epson (or similar) scanner in about an hour.

Top comes right off

If you have a horrible clanking, grinding sound, it’s likely that it’s because the the cog that drives the scanning mechanism from the top to bottom of the scanner is not on track.  It’s manufactured to be held by two tiny black plastic tabs.  But don’t worry!  You can fix it.  Lift off the top of the scanner.  You can see the holes at the top of the scanner that hold the top in place.

The glass plate will also need to be lifted off.  Be careful, and place it somewhere where dust won’t get on it.  The plastic cog at the bottom right hand side of the picture has come loose and needs to be held in place so the scan can take place.  It is held in place by two tiny black plastic molded tabs.  They aren’t that strong.  I accidentally broke the other one off as I was trying to fix the other one.  No worries.  As long as there’s something there, it will act as a guide.  I then got out my power drill that my brothers got me for Christmas one year.  (Why don’t they get me makeup?  Actually, the power drill has probably been more practical.)

See that little plastic tab that has broken off to the right?  There is another tab on the left side but it’s obscured by the cog thing.  Head over to the hardware store and get two screws and washers that act as spacers to hold the plate that secures the cog thing.  Also make sure to get a drill bit that is smaller than the screws.  (The hardware store people are really great and show great patience and care every time I come it.  They rock!)

Get your drill (I suppose a hand crank thing would also work) and hold the metal plate between the tabs to positioning where it is best to place the screws.   Drill through the plastic bottom of the scanner.  (Make sure that the scanner is on cardboard or something else that is okay to scratch or drill into.)

Lovely.  Reassemble the scanner and try it out.  Now the scanner works just fine.  Hope that it works for you as well!