Final answer:
To fix accordion jams in an older laser printer, replacing the fuser assembly is the most likely solution. This part is responsible for properly bonding the toner to the paper and, if defective, can cause the paper to crumple as it exits the printer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When troubleshooting an older laser printer that is creating accordion jams as the paper exits the printer, one likely fix for this problem is replacing the fuser assembly. In a laser printer, the fuser assembly is composed of heated pressure rollers that melt and permanently adhere the toner to the fibers of the paper. If the fuser assembly is malfunctioning, it can cause the paper to exit improperly, leading to jams like the accordion effect described. Therefore, among the given options, (a) replacing the toner cartridge, (b) cleaning the pickup roller, (c) replacing the fuser assembly, and (d) adjusting the paper guides, the most appropriate action is replacing the fuser assembly. This is because the toner cartridge affects the quality of the print rather than the paper's path, the pickup roller would cause issues at the beginning of the printing process, and paper guides would typically cause misalignment rather than crumpling. Thus, the fuser is the component most likely to be responsible for accordion jams occurring at the end of the printing process.