Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run Ok so here are my specs, I have a reprap clear frame printer. I am running a ramps 1.4 and i'm using Sprinter software. So Last summer I built the printer and attempted to get it running but after much trial and error I became frustrated and set the whole project aside for a few months. Returning I still have the same two problems. Firstly the Hot end wont heat. When I send the command to heat the tip it just flat out does nothing, No lights come on the board, no voltage at the output pins. The bed on the other hand seems to work flawlessly, Lights come on and it quickly rises to temperature and then maintains. On a whim I purchased a new Ramps board but that does not seem to cure the problem. The second problem is with the Z axis motors. When I give them input they buzz and turn back and forth but don't really go anywhere. They seem to turn freely by hand with the printer unplugged. If I plug the Y axis motor into the Z port it also buzzes and moves back and forth. But if i plug one of the Z axis motors into the Y port then it turns just fine, raising its side of the printer. Now, Its worth pointing out that when I built this printer I had to swap out all the pins on all of the motors because they were all incorrect. All the other axis move just fine now except for the two Z ports. So there are my problems, Can someone please offer some advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,606385#msg-606385 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:40:05 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,611428#msg-611428 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,611428#msg-611428
Quote
Tunames
Did you try turning up the voltage on the stepper driver?

Yes I have, Anyways I have fiddled around marlin and got nowhere so I have returned to sprinter. The Hot end problem has been traced down to a bad temp sensor but the Z axis is still being a huge problem. Currently I have my Y axis motor "when plugged in normally the Y runs great" plugged into the Z and whenever I give inputs the motor moves very loudly and erratically. Also I can easily will the motor to move in either direction by pushing in one direction or the other.]]> nibbler125 General Sun, 17 Jan 2016 21:05:12 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,609896#msg-609896 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,609896#msg-609896 Tunames General Fri, 15 Jan 2016 04:24:40 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,609758#msg-609758 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,609758#msg-609758 nibbler125 General Thu, 14 Jan 2016 18:14:50 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,609312#msg-609312 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,609312#msg-609312 gmckee General Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:22:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,608327#msg-608327 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,608327#msg-608327 nibbler125 General Mon, 11 Jan 2016 19:15:26 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,608301#msg-608301 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,608301#msg-608301 gmckee General Mon, 11 Jan 2016 17:48:01 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,607731#msg-607731 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,607731#msg-607731
Quote
gmckee
They probably need to be lubricated with some oil or grease. You may be able to get a little more torque with the drv8825 drivers.


Ok I got some Hoppies #9 gun oil and using a Qtip I worked some of the oil into the threaded rod and the smooth bearing shaft and as soon as the oil worked its way inside it started to move much easier. But I am still having problems with the Z axis only moving in the Z- direction even if i command it to move Z+]]> nibbler125 General Sun, 10 Jan 2016 13:27:19 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,607454#msg-607454 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,607454#msg-607454 gmckee General Sat, 09 Jan 2016 23:16:14 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,606912#msg-606912 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,606912#msg-606912 nibbler125 General Fri, 08 Jan 2016 18:36:45 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,606397#msg-606397 Re: Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,606397#msg-606397
If none of those fixes work try a different stepper driver in the socket. Use one from another Axis that is known to work for testing purposes. If the motors work than you will need a new driver. A4988 are the most common with drv8825s being a good choice if you need more amperage.

For the hotend you probably have a dead MOSFET or channel on the Arduino (assuming you used the same one for both RAMPS boards).]]> gmckee General Thu, 07 Jan 2016 23:10:17 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,606385#msg-606385 Hot end not working and Z axis motors wont run https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,606385,606385#msg-606385
The second problem is with the Z axis motors. When I give them input they buzz and turn back and forth but don't really go anywhere. They seem to turn freely by hand with the printer unplugged. If I plug the Y axis motor into the Z port it also buzzes and moves back and forth. But if i plug one of the Z axis motors into the Y port then it turns just fine, raising its side of the printer. Now, Its worth pointing out that when I built this printer I had to swap out all the pins on all of the motors because they were all incorrect. All the other axis move just fine now except for the two Z ports. So there are my problems, Can someone please offer some advice?]]> nibbler125 General Thu, 07 Jan 2016 21:52:59 -0500