What is wrong with my Bernina?
Wade & Carol Tingley
Today, as I was sewing, my Bernina 1230 quit mid seam!! All of the
indicator lights and the sewing light went out and the machine just shut
down, as if someone unplugged it. There was no warning, funny sounds,
flickering, or any other problems until it just quit. My machine is
about 4 years old, and it has never even missed a stitch before.
I have a few of questions --
1. Have any of you had this happen before??
2. Any ideas about what is wrong here??
3. What is this going to cost me??
4. I can't find the original sales slip and warranty, will I still be
able to get warranty service?? Obviously this machine isn't 30 years old
-- isn't that how long these mashines are covered??
Thanks in advance!! I'm very frustrated, I have one more week of
vacation before school starts again, and I wanted to get some stuff done
:-(
Carol
bummed out in Orlando
DocCec
Some of this is going to sound awfully simplistic, but.........
Check for either a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker
Check to be sure the machine's plug hasn't come loose in the socket
Check to be sure the cord is firmly plugged into the machine itself
I don't have a Bernina (wish!) but on my Kenmore when the light is out the
machine won't run. You may want to check that, if that's true on Bernina.
If all else fails, call the closest Bernina repair shop and plead for fast
service.
Cec
Doc...@aol.com
Kelly de Haas
Carol --
My mom just experienced almost the same thing. She turned on the
machine to sew, the light came on, but nothing else happened. Her
machine is about 8 years old. She took it to the repair shop and they
gave her a loaner while they fixed hers. Turned out to be a blown fuse
in the motor and in serious need of a tune-up. A week in the shop (over
christmas) and only $42 to fix. Needless to say she was extremely
happy!! Hope yours turns out as well!!
Kelly
Wade & Carol Tingley wrote:
>
> Today, as I was sewing, my Bernina 1230 quit mid seam!! All of the
> indicator lights and the sewing light went out and the machine just shut
> <snip>
Linda Hungerford
> Carol
> bummed out in Orlando
Carol, this has happened to me too, but I have a 21-year old Bernina 830.
I've learned, over time, this occurs when I have been continually machine
quilting for 25-30 minutes stretches. The foot control overheats and then
"shuts down" the machine. I have to walk away from it for 10-15 minutes
for a cool-down period before I can return to machine quilting. It's very
frustrating, but a foible of the older model Berninas. I didn't think the
new machines were supposed to do this! I can't imagine what else it might
be, but don't be too discouraged. Other than the inconvenience of poor
timing, your dependable Bernina dealer will be able to fix it for you.
Good luck!
Linda
West Des Moines, Iowa
Stephen and Melissa Jones
> > Carol
> > bummed out in Orlando
Carol, I don't have a Bernina, but my Elna has always had a loose
fitting cord. I have tried to bend the prongs in the machine slightly,
but am afraid I might break something. It will look like the cord is
plugged into the machine, but it will not be making a proper connction.
I just have to fiddle with it now and then.
Melissa J
Jack Campin
lh6...@acad.drake.edu (Linda Hungerford) writes:
> I have a 21-year old Bernina 830.
> I've learned, over time, this occurs when I have been continually machine
> quilting for 25-30 minutes stretches. The foot control overheats and then
> "shuts down" the machine. I have to walk away from it for 10-15 minutes
> for a cool-down period before I can return to machine quilting.
Have you tried the Second Thing an Electrical Techie Always Tries to Get
It Working Again (first is to check that it's plugged in) - take the foot
control apart and clean it? 21 years adds up to a *lot* of cotton fluff
at foot level, which could easily get inside and insulate it enough to make
it overheat. (I'm guessing; I don't know how these machines are designed).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack Campin ja...@purr.demon.co.uk
T/L, 2 Haddington Place, Edinburgh EH7 4AE, Scotland (+44) 131 556 5272
--------------------- Save Scunthorpe from Censorship ---------------------
Cathy J.
I also have a Bernina 830 of about the same age. Quite some time after I
purchased it — I'm thinking it was several years rather than several
months — I received (unsolicited) an adaptor for the foot control. It
was to prevent the foot control from overheating. I never did install
it, and I've never had any problems such as you describe. I have noticed
that the control gets _very_ warm sometimes, but it has never shut down
my machine. Is there any chance that a Bernina dealer would be able to
locate the adaptor? Or could you write directly to the company? Good
luck - I'm sure the unplanned work stoppages can get frustrating! Cathy
J.
pegken
I feel very sorry about Carol's situation with her sewing machine
dying. Hope someone can help her. One good thing my Bernina Dealer did
when I bought my serger was to staple the sales slip to the instruction
book. Now I know where it is when I need it. I liked the idea so much
I now do the same with appliances and even with computer software, you
never know what they will ask for when you need to upgrade software!
Peggy
Tucson
Clark and Annette Johnston
Hi Linda:
I have an even older Bernina that I've just semi-retired that used to do
this or else it would serge ahead full-steam...I really had to keep my
fingers out of the way. I would suggest strongly that you take it in to
your Bernina dealer and get them to change your foot control. Once I
stopped using the knee control and had a foot control put in, all my
troubles stopped. Something is definitely wrong with your wiring.
*Dangerous* to say the least.
The latest thing here in Canada seems to be courses on "know your sewing
machine" which are often held by the Bernina dealers. I'm signing up for
one tonight, so I'll ask just that question when the time comes and repost
here. The course isn't till March, but I'm sure it will be something that
the newsgroup will be interested in.
Annette J.
glas...@telusplanet.net
Linda Hungerford
Annette,
My Bernina dealer is aware of the problem because she sent the original
foot to Switzerland to have it repaired! I ended up getting the "innards"
replaced. I've been told by the dealer that this isthe best that can be
done. Any other thoughts?
Linda
In article <01bbfe8d$e5025600$c7cf...@pc.telusplanet.net>, "Clark and