Ender 3 Not Extruding

[DougF]

I have a problem with my extruder and don't know where to turn. It has been sporadically stopping extruding partway through a print for a couple weeks. If I restarted the printer it would behave fine for a print or two and then do it again. Now it won't extrude at all. It's not a plugged nozzle, I can push filament through it fine. The printer has been upgraded with a SKR 1.3 board with TMC2208 stepper drivers. It has Marlin firmware. I have swapped the stepper driver and the motor still won't turn. I then plugged the motor into the X axis connector and it turns fine. The firmware hasn't changed for a few months. I don't know what to do next short of putting the original board back in it. I changed it in the first place so I could print with PETG so I really don't want to do that.

[Roberts_Clif]

I would check the alignment of the Extruder Gear. Could be catching of the extruder assembly.

[DougF]

I would check the alignment of the Extruder Gear. Could be catching of the extruder assembly.

It's not that. I have it removed from the mount and the gear is off. Doesn't run when requested to.

[Roberts_Clif]

A point about Marlin firmware .
FYI - Marlin has a safety it the hot-end is not up to 170C it will not turn.

#define PREVENT_COLD_EXTRUSION
#define EXTRUDE_MINTEMP 170

[DougF]

A point about Marlin firmware .FYI - Marlin has a safety it the hot-end is not up to 170C it will not turn.

#define PREVENT_COLD_EXTRUSION#define EXTRUDE_MINTEMP 170

I have the hot end heated up while I'm troubleshooting it.

[Roberts_Clif]

Then I would suggest that the stepper motor cable could be intermittent an may need testing / replacing

[DougF]

Then I would suggest that the stepper motor cable could be intermittent an may need testing / replacing

Yeah, I'm going to order a new cable and start from there. Thanks.

[DougF]

I'm pulling my hair out now. This problem has a mind of it's own and I can't pin it down to anything specific. I have swapped cables, motors and stepper drivers and it seems to work for a bit with each trial and then it goes back to not moving again. The last time it did it the motor spun for a revolution or 2 and then shuddered for a second and then stopped. I ordered a replacement motor and cable (came together) with the hopes that it would be one or the other and when I hooked them up it did the same thing. So now all I have left is to try updating and re-flashing the Marlin firmware and if that doesn't do it I guess I will have to replace the mainboard. This mainboard is only 4 months old. I don't know if they'll replace it for me or not.

[airscapes]

I am very confused, why do you need to upgrade a main board to print PETG? There is virtually nothing different between printing PETG and PLA but maybe 20 degrees.. PETG prints best for me at 230C, PLA 210-215C Please explain why you had to upgrade the printer for it to do something so basic as heat the hot end to 230C.

[DougF]

I am very confused, why do you need to upgrade a main board to print PETG? There is virtually nothing different between printing PETG and PLA but maybe 20 degrees.. PETG prints best for me at 230C, PLA 210-215C Please explain why you had to upgrade the printer for it to do something so basic as heat the hot end to 230C.

Actually the main reason I upgraded the board was to quiet down the printer. It made a huge difference in that respect. I misspoke on the PETG part.