Direct drive extruder gear not moving

Filament 3D Printer Technical Help
1

Hi everyone, I have an Ender 5+ with a direct drive. I had an issue a few months ago where it stopped extruding that I was eventually able to get working by adjusting the tension on the gear (of note it had been printing great for last 18months prior). It worked well for a time and then this past week it started stopping extruding mid prints…I adjusted the tension and it worked briefly but then stopped again. When I looked closely the gears were just rocking back and forth slightly…I tried again today meaning to take video of it but now the gear isn’t moving at all. Is the engine burned out? gear worn? It looks normal to me. Any suggestions would be very helpful .
Thanks
Kris

2

Sounds like the stepper is hosed but I’m sure there are others with more technical knowledge that can chime in…

3

Try swapping the cable for a known good cable. Depending on your setup, you probably don’t have a lot of strain relief on the cable, with the result that every time your print head moves the wires are getting bent. Eventually, they wear out.

4

I would agree with cable, 90% of the time when the gears just “shudder” its the extension cable that comes with the direct drive unit.

We replace them very often and the problem is usually solved.

I do carry the replacements if you don’t have a spare

or

1 Like
5

Well replacing the cable was an experience. Nothing in the manual about how to “open” the case part of the printer so it took some trial and error, and about 1.5 hrs and nothing is different…the filament feeds easily when i turn the manual knob but nothing happens when I try to print it. At this point I suspect the motor is dead? Unless there are any other thoughts? I guess i’ll have to get a new motor or just bring it in to the shop

6

Hi @hawleyk

If you want to verify the motor, You can swap the X and the E wires at the control board and then try to move the X axis 1 couple of mm and the E motor should move. If that works then the motor is not the issue.

Assuming the wiring is now good, and the above test eliminates the motor it may be the stepper on the control board.