The Sewing Place

Bernina 1001 not working

Sandra

Bernina 1001 not working
« on: February 08, 2018, 08:12:55 AM »
My beloved and trusted Bernina 1001 stopped working last night.  :(

I'm feeling bereft  :'( and I don't know what to do.

It has power to the machine...the bulb is still lit...but absolutely nothing else. There have been no funny noises or smells. It has been running as good as it always does.
I was whizzing along putting a gathering stitch along the top edge of a skirt, when it suddenly stopped. It is silent when you press the pedal.

I checked the obvious bits....that the lead was securely in the pedal and into the machine, so it's nothing daft like that.

Any ideas what it might be...loose wires somewhere?... and is it something for me to be messing around with?

On a funnier note...I (need to) sew every day and the only other sewing machine in the house is a pale pink, JL Mini sewing machine which was bought for my daughter on her 8th birthday.  :\
Poor little thing. I'll have the motor burned out of it by teatime.

Sandra.
xxx

Roger

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2018, 08:41:23 AM »
Hi Sandra,

Theres definitely nothing from the motor?

Have you tried completely unplugging all the wires and reattaching them all?

Could be the socket, I’d check the kettle is working then plug it into that socket and retest.

Is it still in warranty? If it is, at this point I’d make it their problem ;)

If not, it is apparently a mechanical SM (I don’t know the model) It could be the plug, could be the pedal, and also worth checking the flex in case the insulation has obviously failed. It probably isn’t the motor or machine if there was no smoke and no sound from the motor (straining or slipping belts).

Intriguing!
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

b15erk

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2018, 08:47:14 AM »
Oh no Sandra!  I have more than enough machines that you would be welcome to borrow if you lived closer (or fancy a drive :)).

Could it be something as daft as a fuse?

Just thinking.  I have a Pfaff 1475 (quite old), and that stopped working once, due to an internal battery.  Something to do with the display I think.

Hope you soon get it sorted.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Sandra

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2018, 09:11:17 AM »
Hello Roger.

No. The motor is silent and I've tried unplugging everything and re-plugging it all back in. The electric socket's fine....the machine light is on, so it's working.

I've had the machine for about 20 years...I bought it brand new....so no warranty any more.

I'm thinking loose wires. Maybe at the point of where they go into the pedal, or into the machine. This is a proper, well-used workhorse of a machine, and they could quite easily have become loose/damaged over the years.
It'd be handy to have another pedal to test with my machine. That'd quickly decide whether that theory's correct or not.

I had it serviced 18 months ago, and was told to, 'Look after the pedal. It's the single most expensive part on these machines.'
I think he said about £80 - £90?  ><

It's sure to be the pedal then...lol

My local sewing machine repair place is closed today.  I'll ask their advice tomorrow, but I'm hoping my brother will be visiting tomorrow afternoon, and he's really handy with stuff. He might be able to help, or if not, he might be willing to drive me over to drop it at the shop.

Thank you, Jessie  :) Not the fuse, and this model machine is very (very) basic. There's nothing as fancy as a display on this one.

If I'm going to be without a decent machine for too long, I'm going to get in touch with my ex-boyfriend. He has a good, tough old sewing machine which works a treat. He lent it to me when I last took my Bernina in for a service.

Sandra.
xxx

b15erk

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2018, 09:23:37 AM »
Oh I do hope you manage to get by without too much disruption.  I do hope it's not the pedal - I've replaced 2 on the Pfaff at over £100 a time. 

My local Sewing machine man used to repair Bernina Footpedals - Bob Green.  Don't know if he still does as I haven't needed his services for a while.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Roger

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2018, 09:28:41 AM »
The power getting to the light indicates that the power is fine... I would think it’s either the pedal- maybe something in the mechanism has stopped making a connection.

Or motor- but the no smoke makes me think it’s not that...

I’d offer to lend you a 401 or 530-2 but I don’t think you’re close to me either.

A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

Sandra

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2018, 09:49:17 AM »
I'm looking online at the possibility of buying a replacement pedal, but I need to know with the seller that if it doesn't solve the problem, then I want to be able to return it.
It's worth a try.

Have found one at £79.99 at Tysons. Trying to get them on the phone but they're not open yet.

Sandra.
xxx

Roger

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2018, 10:11:54 AM »
It’s not definitely your pedal, and if it is your pedal may be repairable so checking you can return it is very prudent.
A bit of a vintage sewing machine nut! Singers: 500a, 401g, 48k Elnas: lotus SP & grasshopper, Bernina 530-2 F+R 504, Pfaff 30, Cresta T-132

Sandra

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2018, 10:21:50 AM »
Oh, POO!

Tysons don't actually have any in stock...(says they do online)....and they advised me to take it to a local repair place.

I'll go back to the plan for my brother to have a look tomorrow. I must be patient.

Sandra.
xxx

b15erk

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2018, 10:36:22 AM »
Would a Bernina 730 footpedal fit Sandra?  If so, I can send you mine to try. It's the big old green one.

Jessie
Jessie, who is very happy to be here!!  :),  but who has far too many sewing machines to be healthy, and a fabric stash which is becoming embarrassing.

Sandra

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2018, 11:08:00 AM »
Thank you, Jessie. That's a kind offer.

No. I've just had a look for compatibility, and it wouldn't fit.

I'm going to leave alone for now and get on with a couple of sewing jobs. Luckily I've only got 2 pairs of trousers to shorten and a little bit of restitching on a jacket. Should be easy, even on a JL Mini.

Sandra.
xxx

Madame Cholet

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2018, 11:21:13 AM »
Oh Sandra that's dreadful  :'(
I think there is a circuit board in the foot pedal. I'm popping over to the Vintage Bernina FB page now to hunt for clues.

Madame Cholet

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2018, 11:48:27 AM »
I've had a quick read over there and it seems that provided the motor brushes are ok then it is most likely the circuit board in the foot pedal. Usually it is a capacitor that goes, but you would normally have smoke and smell with that. But other components can fail on the board too.

The board is usually repairable by a competent electronics person. Or the board can be replaced with another board if the tech has a spare one stashed away.

Is the pedal the same as the 1008 pedal? If so then am I right thinking the parts are still available, seeing as the 1008 is still in production??

If it is the pedal and you end up getting a new, replacement one then perhaps you can sell the old one spares and repair on ebay, or find a way to get it fixed and keep it as a spare.
 :)

Good luck with the mini machine  :)
« Last Edit: February 08, 2018, 12:05:52 PM by Madame Cholet »

Greybird

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2018, 11:59:26 AM »
I had a similar problem with my old Husqvarna 190 which turned out to be a fault in the internal part of the machine where the foot pedal plugs into. Sadly no parts were available for mine - I hope that isn't the case for yours.

Sandra

Re: Bernina 1001 not working
« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2018, 12:41:49 PM »
Thank you for your helpful comments. I don't know what I'm going to do if it can't be mended  :'(

Two pairs of trousers have now been shortened. I feel like I should be making bunting on this dinky little pink machine  0_0  but it's O.K. It's making a neat, simple stitch... which is all I need at the moment.
It'll be no good to shorten jeans  ><

Sandra.
xxx