Letters aren't striking ribbon

Usually you are striking incorrectly snap the keys and get off of them. you holding the key down too long.

I understand your issue (and I still have a typewriter too!--Still works when the computer doesn't). The bottom part of your characters are not printing on the paper. Check to make sure the platen is lowered and snapped into place. If it is not entirely in place, it could cause the letters to be mis-shapen. There could be an adjustment to the key module that would raise it--sometimes there is a lever that is used to switch from black to red to stencil (when the keys do not strike the ribbon) and if that lever is not in the correct slot, the letters could be partially omitted. The other thing would be to check that the ribbon is loaded properly so that the entire key strikes the inked portion of the ribbon.

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it could have a cracked hammer solenoid if so it needs replaced

If it dosen't lift at all wiggle the large black gear bakand forth a few times they do get tooth for tooth.

DickyO

The problem may be the ribbon or the media you are typing on. try typing on a mulit part form, if the copies are good then its the ribbon (OLD) or the paper (GLOSSY).

DickyO

It sound like you have a broken part. If the hammer is not hitting hard enough, the armature theat make the hammer strike the keys is broken. This is a common problem with the ax's

Check to be sure the ribbon dosen't have a fold in it and is fully seated in place, be sure the platen is fully seated in the side frames, check the correction tape for proper imstallation it can rob the print if to high.

DickyO

Please check the ink ribbon. There are two types of ribbons. The plastic one can be used once and if you try it the second time then there is no guarantee that all letters will appear fine and legible. (as may be happening in your case). The other is the cloth ribbon. This can be reused and it keeps fading as you keep repeating it. But in this case all letters are faded and nor selective.

Try trickling some White Spirit into the typebar slots and working the keys repeatedly.

Try taking the ribbon out and looking at it see if there is one spot for each character on the ribbon or if they are overlapping.If they are over lapping then either you have a problem with the ribbon drive assembly on the machine or it is set for a multi-strike ribbon.