Epson 4990 power button stuck

[hwy17]

My NOS 4990 has been running well, but a month into it's use the power button has got stuck on!

Either the switch mechanism has broken or the switch mount inside the scanner has bent back far enough that I can't depress the button far enough to get past the release latch.

 

[koraks]

Yeah, that sounds like a pair of plausible possibilities. Fouling/debris can also be a cause. The obvious way forward would be to open up the scanner and have a look at what's going on.

 

[hwy17]

Yeah, that sounds like a pair of plausible possibilities. Fouling/debris can also be a cause. The obvious way forward would be to open up the scanner and have a look at what's going on.

Yes that too! I'm pretty sure I haven't fouled it but maybe a broken piece of old brittle button.

 

[loccdor]

Better that it's stuck on than stuck off I suppose. I guess you could just use the plug as the switch? That's what lazy me would do. I've also got a couple of remote control plug adapters in the house that I use for lamps and such.

 

[hwy17]

Better that it's stuck on than stuck off I suppose. I guess you could just use the plug as the switch? That's what lazy me would do. I've also got a couple of remote control plug adapters in the house that I use for lamps and such.

Yup! Might end up living like this for a while.

 

[koraks]

Yes that too! I'm pretty sure I haven't fouled it but maybe a broken piece of old brittle button.

Yeah, who knows. Mine has been sitting on a desk, shelf etc. for some 20 years now and that part of the machine seems to be holding up well, so it appears that least on my copy the switch parts aren't too liable to become brittle. Well, anyway; I'd just have a peek inside, see what's going on. This sounds like something that's probably manageable.