Kenmore Sewing Machine Model 1703 won't advance - jammed?

Question

This is my friend's machine which is a little different than mine. It is in "like new" condition, clean, seemed oiled, but when I stepped on the foot pedal or hand-turned the wheel, it just won't go forward to sew. Any suggestions out there?

Answer 1

I have eight machines from home to industrials and I can think of a few things that might be a problem. First is that your foot pedal might be dead and no power is going to the machine. Pedal break and contacts get dirty, those things are on the floor and they can accumulate a ton of thread, fiber and lint. See if a different pedal helps.

Is there a light switch? Is the light burnt out? Some won't work without a working bulb and the light switch turned off. This one ticks me off because I've taken machines that need nothing more than a new light to the repair shop. It makes me feel like an idiot!

Is the machine in gear? The hand wheel should have a second wheel that can be twisted, twist it one way and the when the foot pedal is depressed the wheel should spin free without making stitches. When twisted the other way it's tight and stitches are made. Can it do either? Or is it so tightly twisted that you can't get it in gear or out of gear? If it spins free but doesn't make a stitch you might need to tighten the clutch wheel so it's back in gear. The instructions for that should be with the winding bobbin part of your machine manual.

Can your hear the motor? Does the motor spin inside? The belt from the motor to the drive shaft might be broken if the motor spins but not the machine. There are other belts/chains/drives inside that can slip or break. A trained technician should replace the belts as the wrong belt in the wrong place and wrong size can throw off the machines timing. It could also be a burnt out motor. I've had that one happen.

If the wheel itself is jammed up there might be something in the inner workings near or on the drive shaft. This is also a professional repair. The shaft may not be in contact with the stitch mechanism, either cams or electronic drives and this is also a professional job. Has it been cleaned and adjusted by a pro recently? It might need to have the inner workings cleaned of excess oil, thread, lint, cat fur or dog fur or whatever else might be gumming up the insides. What type of oil was used? The wrong oil can destroy a machine. Never ever save money by using WD30, 3 in 1, or like my dad once used...motor oil for a car.

The machine sounds like it might need a trip to a pro regardless for a thorough work up, cleaning and adjusting no matter what's wrong with the motor, shaft, or whatever. Clean on the outside and well oiled can hide a myriad of dirt and gunk on the inside. A good technician can make your machine once again work like a well oiled sewing machine.

Answer 2

Kenmore Sewing Machine Pedal

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Kenmore Sewing Machine Model 1703 won't advance - jammed?
This is my friend's machine which is a little different than mine. It is in "like new" condition, clean, seemed oiled, but when I stepped on the foot pedal or hand-turned the wheel, it just won't go forward to sew. Any suggestions out there?

Answer 4

Most likely a jammed bobbin case. Remove the bobbin case and shuttle race if if comes out. Use a brush and remove any threads and lint. While you're there, oil it according to the manual's directions. If the hand wheel still won't advance, check for thread wound around the hand wheel, stranger things have happened. My dealer once showed me a baggie pinned up to the wall in her class room, a huge birdsnest of thread that was would around a hand wheel. Otherwise, it might be time for a servicing.

Answer 5

Check full area around bobbin for bound up threads.

Answer 6

The same thing happened to mine,and nothing I did would fix it. I had to take it in,and that cost $100.00. Sorry