epson stylus photo 1400 cleaning printer heads

Normally, the belt is in a specific holder on back of the print unit and is rather complicated to try to work on this to make repairs. If it does NOT move in sync with the print unit, it is most likely NOT attached to the print unit. If it is, it may just be positioned wrong for the normal travel left to right. You could press the ink change button and allow the print unit to move to the change area - then, unplug the printer from the AC wall plug - you can now move the print unit 'gently' back and forth (left and right) to check if the belt is attached to the print unit. However, This MAY or may NOT be the problem with your printer. Also, the belt would move some but was not in synchronization with the print unit - since it was not attached. The print unit would move back and forth but would hit (bang) against the left side.

I had an issue a few years ago with one of the previous Epson Model printers where this Belt came loose (dis-attached) from the unit holding the print cartridges.

I believe the function of that belt is basically the 'Timing Belt' for the print unit as it travels back and forth across the carriage movement. I do not have the 1400 but most desktop Epson printers have similar 'ribbons as you have described' that when functioning properly are attached to the back assembly holding the ink Cartridges and has the print head underneath. Anyone know how to fix this sort of issue? Dunno what started to cause this. It is getting pushed under the print head as the print head moves across instead of behind. Opened the top and saw that the ribbon cable (not sure if that's the correct term for it) that's connected to the print head is not moving normally. Tried to print something with my Epson 1400 the other day and heard a funny noise when the print head was moving back and forth.

Epson stylus photo 1400 cleaning printer heads