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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: needle_elf
Date: 01-27-2005, 02:18 PM (1 of 8)
I have an old Pfaff that I purchased used. Trouble is that it keeps locking up. Sometimes it will let the needle move freely, but most of the time it's just stuck. I can hear the motor trying to move the needle, but even with the pedal fully depressed, I still get nothing. Can anyone help? I don't have $80-100 to take her in to be repaired.

Thanks in advance.
User: needle_elf
Member since: 12-12-2000
Total posts: 26
From: Kylnne2
Date: 01-27-2005, 06:00 PM (2 of 8)
I wonder what shape the cord, plugs and foot pedal are in and if they need repair or maybe there is a short in them. I would check for thread being tangled up in all areas..tensions, bobbin winder (should be off) and even the hand wheel...yes I have heard of thread in the handwheel..I had it happen to me years ago..or one of my kids did it LOL. The machine would not budge. I hope you get it worked out.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: needle_elf
Date: 01-27-2005, 10:09 PM (3 of 8)
Thanks for the ideas. The cord and pedal appear to be sound. Maybe my problem has to do with the hand wheel, though, as when the machine freezes up even the hand wheel won't turn. I'm definately going to check for thread in the works there. Thanks for the idea, Kylnne2. I don't think I would have thought of that on my own.
User: needle_elf
Member since: 12-12-2000
Total posts: 26
From: Kylnne2
Date: 02-01-2005, 06:48 AM (4 of 8)
Your welcome needle_elf. I hope you got her fixed by now.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-01-2005, 07:47 AM (5 of 8)
Is your bobbin in right?
If I don't get it in right with my Pfaff the thread tangles around the little latch thing on the bobbin holder and everything is stuck untill I cut it off and clean the area out.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 03-02-2005, 02:05 PM (6 of 8)
If you can't find thread tangled anywhere and you have thoroughly cleaned the machine in every nook and cranny, I would take it to a Pfaff dealer and pay them to do it. I know how you feel, I would have to be completely baffled before I would (grudgingly) spend money for cleaning it! How old is your Pfaff? Mine is a 1475CD I bought (well, my DH gave me $2000 and I paid the rest out of my custom sewing money) in about 1994 (??) or sometime around then. I've never had it in for repair and I mostly do all the cleaning on it myself, with a Q-tip and a drop or so of machine oil, and a can of air! I hope you have found your problem and fixed it...MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001
Total posts: 256
From: Kylnne2
Date: 03-03-2005, 07:42 PM (7 of 8)
I have heard that some Viking machines have a tendency to have their gears lock up if not used in awhile. My daughter hasn't used her Viking in many years yet when we pulled it out it worked just fine. I don't know about older Pfaff's however. I have a newer Pfaff. Maybe the machine in question just needs a good cleaning as suggested. A little oil and lube to the gears can make a world of difference.
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004
Total posts: 629
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 03-04-2005, 01:31 PM (8 of 8)
I would certainly try cleaning it thoroughly. That worked with an old machine one of my aunts had. She had NEVER cleaned it, in about 15 years. I pulled off the stitch plate and it was stuffed tight with lint. I pulled all the junk out with a pair of tweezers and cleaned it with some alcohol and a Q-tip and then just put a very thin film of oil on it with another Q-tip, and then cleaned it every possible place I could get into. and oiled every place that seemed to need it, wiped off the excess, and that messy thing RAN! It was a White, I think. MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001
Total posts: 256
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