I have a Kenmore sewing machine, model 385.19150090. I turned it on and the machine light flashed and went out. I replaced two fuses because one fuse was blown. What else in there?
It sounds as though you have a broken wire somewhere along the wiring of the machine.
If you're handy electrically you can probably repair this yourself - open the machine by carefully unscrewing the head cover (be sure to take before, during, and after digital photos to assist in putting the machine back together after!) and see if you can visually locate any burnt, bent, or broken wires. Use a muffin tin to collect and safely store the teeny tiny little screws.
The wiring for the machine model you have isn't one I'm familiar with (I do vintage Singer repairs for my Sewing 101 students here in Scotland) and it's been years since I've seen a Kenmore (decades really, I had a Kenmore back in the late 70s and early 80s whilst living in the US), but I seem to recall the wiring on a Kenmore runs under the machine head - that should make finding and repairing a broken wire easier.
If the wiring runs along the inside, you'll need to be sure to take photos of everything first as you may have to take a part off to get to the broken wire and again, those photos will be very important to restoring the machine to a working condition after the repairs are made.
If you're not electrically handy, any Sears Service Center will be able to do the repairs. Not sure of the costs, should be under $100USD (but likely not far under, especially if you agree to a 'full servicing' which will include cleaning, oiling, and a full check-over).
Be sure to get an estimate up front, and also be sure to get the estimate AND the instruction to ring you before doing anything that will raise the estimated repairs cost in writing.
If I am correct, that machine is a 150 stitch computerized machine. You don't want to open the insides because it will be a lot of electronics and computer chips.
Robin
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The light works, but the machine will not run.
If the machine is turning on but won't sew when you push on the foot peddle there is an issue with the connection here. You could have a bad foot peddle that needs to be replaced. First off look at the connection to the foot peddle and make sure there is nothing wrong with it. Then check the machine where it attaches and make sure you have a good connection.
I was recently given my grandmother's sewing machine and I have never sewed before. I have it set up in my room and am trying to learn this new skill however, it won't actually start.
Those old Kenmore machines do seize up frequently.
Did you tighten and untighten the wheel? Did you check that the bobbin is in right (they can fit backward but don't work...at least mine is like that)?
Did you check that the feed dog is in the upright position?
Is it all clean in the undercarriage and in all the doors that open in the front? NEVER use canned air...just an old toothbrush or if you were luckly enough to have the original cleaning kit the little brush that came with it.
There are some decent YouTube videos on the old Kenmores. Most are very similar so you may find some helpful hints to get it going. These are workhorses....just a little finicky!
Be wary of using oil other than sewing machine oil if they tell you about oiling. I say that and I will tell you that I NEVER, EVER oiled my Kenmore (bad experience with oiling a Singer that ruined a project when the oil got all over it).
I had it in for service once many years ago and they may have oiled it... back to Sears (when we still had a Sears), but keeping it clean has always worked for me and my machine is...hmmmm...50 years old...maybe older.
There used to be manuals online for free. Maybe someone else on the site can point you to those. I can only find the pay version, which I wouldn't do unless it was a last resort:
www.youtube.com/
www.kenmoresewingmanuals.com/
Hope it is an easy fix! Happy stitching!!
It sounds like there is a loose or broken wire in the foot pedal. You may have to take it in for servicing
Now, I am going to say something about your machine and learning to use it.
how do you repair the foot pedal
I accidentally pulled the electric cord connection out of my Kenmore sewing machine. After plugging it back in, there seems to be absolutely no power to the sewing machine. There is no noise whatsoever. The wall outlet is fine and the cords look okay. There is no off/on switch for this sewing machine. You just push on the pedal when ready to sew. Any suggestions?
You must have damaged the wiring. Take the cover off the machine and try to trace the wiring. If you can't figure it out, you will have to take it in for serving.
Does the thick switch go in the other way? It may just be on upside down not making the correct connection.
Take a closer look at the black cord and make sure there are no kinks or lose wires, especially around the connectors (you said it is OK but carefully examine it from top to bottom as even a tiny bend or crease or kink can cause issues. If you see anything, you can try black electrical tape to secure or flatten.
Also, check the three little prongs to make sure they are not bent.
If they are, you can try to gently straighten.
Post back with an update!
You have broken the connection to the foot peddle and the machine. If you know about wiring and can repair problems this one should be a simple fix. Other than this you will need to go to the repair shop and have them look at it for you. You will need to reconnect the wires on the machine and test the foot peddle to make sure it is not damaged.
I am new to sewing machines. I have an older machine from my MIL. It is a Kenmore 385- 26. The home plate is missing, but it has other parts. I have threaded the top thread. The bobbin thread did not catch when I put it through the bottom, so I tried manually removing the bobbin case and feeding it through. I am not sure if that is correct.
When feeding fabric through the needle does not create a stitch into the fabric, as I move the fabric through. The needle does move up and down, but no stitch is made (just up and down motion like normal).
I have tried a few different fabrics to see if that mattered, with the same result. I have the tension set at 4, dials set at 3 for length and 4 for width.
Thanks!
Make sure the needle is new. Try to download a manual if you do not already have one. It will give diagrams that will tell you how to thread it correctly and how to put the bobbin in correctly. It will also have a troubleshooting section.