Digital BW, The Print

Hi folks,

Well, after printing a small proof sheet, my Epson 1400 started flashing
red the paper feed light and the ink light, alternately. The feed
backplate that angles to help feed the paper was in the angled position,
but no paper was feeding. Turning on and off the printer causes it to
very briefly try to turn the feed roller, then it immediately starts
flashing the lights. The power light is off. No utility will talk to it
in this state.

I've tried to hand turn the feed roller, and the angled back plate moves
when I turn it, as well as the white feet that hold the paper, but and
no matter what position I leave the roller in., the printer continues to
flash the lights. I've moved a bit, powered it off and on, and done this
perhaps 20 times now to see if I could synchronize the feed mechanism,
or perhaps convince it to unstick. But every time I turn it on, the feed
roller jerks very slightly, and then the lights start to blink.

This does not sound like waste tank problem; it sounds mechanical. I'm
moderately mechanically inclined, so if there is something I need to
free up the mechanism, I can probably do it. It is my only printer, and
I'm rather dead in the water without it.

Thanks in advance for whatever suggestions you could offer.

Andrew