How to get a Kenmore 16231 Sewing Machine Stich Selector knob to turn?

Question

Ok, perhaps this is obvious, but I haven't been able to figure out how to get this to turn. I'd appreciate any help folks can give me. Thanks!

** Thanks for your suggestion! I did figure this out. This is why the machine came with a screwdriver. There is a screw underneath the knob. It has an arrow, with a + above and a - below. Adjust the screw, and the stitches change. The manual for this machine is none too useful for this and other reasons. There's a page for stitch selection and it doesn't even mention that you need to do this.**

Answer 1

I'm a sewing machine tech and I believe the + / - screw is NOT for stitch selection. I believe that is for balancing your stitches. Some designs such as stretch stitches need to be balanced so as to come togeather and not be too far apart. By adjusting the balance screw you can adjust these. I think maybe you didn't have the stitch selectors in the right position.
Machines come with screw drivers so you can remove covers to clean, oil the machine and adjust the tensions and balance. By turning that + / - you may be throwing your stitches out of balance. That screw is usually for a technician but with practice anyone can do it. Just letting you know.

Answer 2

I think you just missed a oiling spot- or several of them. The belt it's self is supposed to be dry. If it still looks intact, and has no breaks or cracks, it's probably still just fine. It can't turn very good though, especially at first under load, from a dead stop, being connected to everything else, if some place/any place else in your over several decades old machine, is dry of oil and starting to freeze and seize up. Each and every of all the oiling places are never shown in the instruction manuals. Just oil in every moving metal on metal place instead- oil hole in a bushing there or not. Which means taking some of the covers off. And means turning the fly wheel to see all the moving metal on metal places that need that oil. Even though you don't want oil on the belt, or on electrical wires or in the top tension device or in the actual motor at all, you do want some everyplace else and on the turning peg that comes out of the motor that the belt rides on, where it turns that belt. Try not to get oil on the belt, but if you do, just wipe it off. After that, let the machine run flat out and fast, straight stitch and and zig zag, no fabric or thread in it at all, your pressure foot up, your foot on the pedal for at least 5 minutes or so- you can even put a heavy object on the foot pedal if you want. After that it it will probably start up form a dead stop much better and you won't have to help it along with your hand on the wheel any more. Happy Sewing.

Answer 3

I do not know this machine, but did you try gentle pushing or pulling on the knob before/while trying to turn?

Did you check the manual?
If you do not have it, try to find it on-line, enter the machine brand and type and manual into google or so and see what comes up.

If you bought your machine from a small shop or a person you know try phoning them, if you bought if from a big chain or supermarket try phoning the customer services.