PIXMA IP 1600 faulty paper feeding

[Alps]

Hi everybody!

I got some problems with my home inkjet printer, a CANON PIXMA IP 1600 (identical to IP 1200, 2200, 2600, 1800, 1880, 1980 etc. for parts fitted thereon, other than to other models of MP series).
It seems that paper cannot be fed lately. Previously, multiple sheets were fed simultaneously, so I needed to keep all the sheets lifted except for the one that was going to be printed (pretty annoying when I had a discrete number of pages to print...).

Being a home printer (with a quite discontinuous necessity of printing), I just went on like this for a long while, then I've recently noticed that no sheet can be fed.
So I tried to perform roller cleaning from the printer driver and clean the paper feed rollers with moistened cloth but both actions turned out to be useless.

I guess the paper feeding mechanism got broken, since the lower roller can't even come up.
Having removed the paper feeding unit, I managed to take some pictures of it.
As we can see in the first picture, there's an upper and a lower roller.
The first one spins without moving vertically, while the second one should even move vertically.

In the second photo I took, you can see the bottom of the paper feeding unit.
With the third picture I'd like to explain what I observed by moving something in the paper feeding unit.

By pressing the two little ledges (which I numbered 3 in the first picture), the rod 1 goes down but the tooth protruding from the same rod (I marked it with a blue line) doesn't touch the rod 2.
Behind the rod 2, I noticed a small lever (which I highlighted in red), able to move forward thanks to a small spring. The fourth picture shows this lever (V shaped) more closely, partially covered by the rod 2.

The first thing I'm interested to know is whether this lever must be in its current position or hook the tooth protruding from the rod 1. At the moment, the V lever is right below the tooth and it doesn't seem possible to force it to a different position.

Another thing I noticed (see the fifth picture) is that the rod 2 ends on the left side with a lever that, when I move the rod 2, seems to move in vain without hooking anything.
In my opinion, we have 2 different options:

- something that is hooked by this lever comes out only when printer is on and gives the command to feed paper;
- something has come loose (or broken) internally.
Otherwise, I can't believe that a lever with a tiny tooth at the end moves in vain without hooking anything.

I hope to get some useful answers to overcome this paper feeding problem. Thanks a lot!

https://ibb.co/dJxbD5G

PICTURE 1

https://ibb.co/L6rYJdz

PICTURE 2

https://ibb.co/5s8DxBc

PICTURE 3

https://ibb.co/SPNZpJV

PICTURE 4

https://ibb.co/P45X236

PICTURE 5

[Patrick · Accepted solution]

Hi Alps,

Based on your description of the issue, your PIXMA iP1600 would require service.  You are eligible for Canon's Upgrade Program. This is for out of warranty units which have been diagnosed to require service, or for some reason are incompatible with a new or upgraded system. This option allows you a one-time opportunity to purchase a replacement product, discounted from the list price.

If you would like to take part in this option, please call our Sales Department at (866) 443-8002 Monady throuigh Saturday, 9am to 9pm. Let them know you have been working with technical support and the Canon Upgrade Program was offered.