Thank you! I purchased similar model 385.17124 790 but the same repairs worked! Thank you! My little $20 sewing machine just needed the bobbin winder and reverse button fixed up. Yay!
Thank you for sharing your expertise! Have a 385.156 from garage sale, never used, was stuck in reverse. After viewing your video we were able to figure out what needed cleaning and adjusting.
Thanks for this video. I will say though that I did take my wife's machine apart a bit to clean it up (reverse wasn't working). It really wasn't too dirty. But, I removed the phillips head screw that can be seen in a number of places, but certainly at 5:21. I had a hell of a time when putting it all back together to make it work. It would go in reverse, but not forward, or vice versa. FINALLY, I realized that that screw is sort of an adjustment for the amount of throw from that lever. Once I got it adjusted correctly and tightened, the machine is functioning correctly again!
Thank thank you thank you! I just started a shop repairing machine and appreciate your videos so much!! Currently mad at a singer Futura… and then I saw your video saying it has issues 😂
Bravo to you. Let me know if I can help if anything gives you fits. I imagine just about anything you might encounter has challenged me equally at some prior time. 👍🏼😎
I am now sewing in reverse, thank you! The spring mechanism was gunked up and needed to be cleaned, but I had another issue. There was too much play between the two arms prior to the linkage to the sliding cam. I took out that play by gluing a shim at the user's plastic lever, I don't know if there is another adjustment for that, or the plastic user lever was just worn.
I finally figured out how to remove the covers, and even reassembled them. Do you have a video on how to adjust the uptake lever on a sewing machine to a higher position.
Hello, thank you for your helpful videos. My situation: Kenmore 385.17828, a year since I used it, reverse stopped working and shortly later then the forward no longer worked. I saw your video about the reverse mechanism (and more). I cleaned and oiled (as best as my green singer oil bottle could reach, top, bottom, left side) and removed what I could of the dried grease on the gears. No one had Triflow Grease locally and Amazon does not ship it to my location. I put some petroleum jelly on the gears. Now the reverse appears to be working (fabric is moving correctly and stitches are made, tested on longest stitch length). But the forward does not allow the feed dogs to come toward the front of the machine - they go up and down but they stay at the furthest back position. There is a brass colored plate covering some of that area that is under the bobbin/needle. Would I need to remove it to find a problem? Or is this a case of needing to put penetrating oil onto a mechanism? (I’m not sure which part needs it for Forward - in reverse there is movement of a piece underneath (that has been moved over to the left because of the Reverse knob) that causes the feed dogs to move but that piece is not engaged when it’s in Forward). Thank you for any advice.
If that reverse mechanism isn’t disassembled, and cleaned and oiled as I explained in the video, it will exhibit all the symptoms you’ve described. Just don’t lose the e-clip and spring. Maybe photo it up close and see what it will look like reassembled. 😎
Thank you. I fixed the reverse om my 385 model 30 but now the mechanism that turns to put it in reverse will not turn when going forward. The feed dogs are not raising up far enough and just moving up and down and not the forward backward motions. 2:37
@@judyeldridge-z6w it’s stuck in the neutral position. Lift the presser foot, unthread the machine, run the machine at a medium speed with your stitch length on its longest setting, cycle the reverse lever until it begins to cooperate.
@@judyeldridge-z6w if the gunk was cleaned out and the slide came is clean and lubricated, it shouldn’t take too long. If you didn’t adjust the screw on the spring loaded follower, it’s just a matter of being patient and cycling it until it operates correctly. If you adjusted the screw, oops, try to get it back to where it was originally. Good luck 🍀
@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 oh good grief. I mistakenly took that screw off and back on when I first disassembled. So that must be the problem. So it is a tighten or loosen ordeal or placement? Oh my goodness. I am very mechanically inclined and like a dog with a bone with this machine that was given to me. It seems so solid. I hope I can get it working.
@@judyeldridge-z6w that screw determines the amount of flex that the spring applies to the follower to return it to the correct position. Loosen it and slide it over until it positions the follower correctly.
Hi Randy! I've been watching your videos all day! My Kenmore would not reverse at all. I cleaned and oiled away and got it to function but soon after I started sewing it stopped working again. Pretty sure I didn't dig into it enough on that reverse gear area. I can't seem to find the video that shows how to disassemble, clean and reassemble. Also curious what I'm to replace the lithium goop with? Is 3 in 1 oil sufficient? I do have some silicon lube for treadmills. My hubby (another Randy) thinks I should take it in for repairs but you make me feel confident enough to figure this out. Thanks for any advice you can give.
@@peggysueway3889 if you can find that video, it would help a lot. A complete disassemble has to occur in order to remove the lithium grease. That reverse assembly has to be totally clean. A light oil is best. A regular sewing machine oil is what I recommend. If you do take it in for service, you might find a service person who is familiar with the process. Then again, you may already know more than they will. Good luck 🍀👍.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954I successfully took the reverse area apart and immediately lost the c clip! I was being so careful but in the blink of an eye it was gone. I envisioned it flying into the air but after searching for 10 min I went back to the machine to at least get the old lithium grease out and cleaned up. After a bit the little thing peeked around from the backside of the gear. Oil had grabbed it! I was so relieved and I got it all put back together and it's running great. Thank you sooo much!
Great video. I’m working on a Kenmore 385-15622 which has me totally stumped. I cannot get the thing open as the bottom cover is not removable as is, but comes off with either the front or back piece. Any suggestions?
You just have to find the fasteners and remove them. The manufacturer is making it harder to disassemble because they don’t want you doing it. Look around and you’ll find them.
Clorox disinfecting wipes will take that lithium grease residue right off, no scraping necessary 😊 not sure what’s in them that does it but works like a charm
Hi since you worked on this one, I have the exact one. My handwheel is not catching the needle it is stuck, nothing is wrong no thread is stuck. I feel like when I push the clutch in it locks and won't catch the needle any tips?
It sounds like the problem might be in the clutch itself. Put it in the winding mode and see if the motor, belt and hand wheel work ok. If all that works, and the machine won’t turn when you engage the clutch to run the machine, the clutch would be the issue. If the clutch doesn’t want to come out of the winding mode, it may need lubrication. If it engages and the machine won’t turn, the problem is with the machine itself. (Dry bearing)
My plastic cover over the bobbin won’t stay in place. Can I order this 1 piece for my Kenmore? Thanks for your video. My reverse isn’t working either. Pretty sure I can fix this.
My kenmore 158 179282 seems to sew fine for basic straight and zigzag stitches. However, it will not perform the built in buttonhole feature. It doesn't make the bartack and it doesn't reverse direction. For regular stitching it does reverse. Also, the specialty stitches don't seem to work properly either. It's as if something is being left out and it may make a knocking noise, probably more on those stitches that require forward and backward motion. The machine has not had that much wear and was sitting up a lot after our move. I followed the manual and oiled it last night to get it ready for use again. Any insights? Are the cams somehow locked up? I guess I should take it in to the mechanic? Thank you.
If you take it to a mechanic, make sure he’s more interested in fixing yours than selling you a new machine. I guess it could happen. LOL Your manual only addresses malfunctions that happen on a machine that is new. After a Kenmore sits for an extended time, the automatic releases and followers have to be lubed with a penetrating oil and worked back and forth until they loosen up. THAT IS ALL YOUR MACHINE NEEDS. NO WRENCHING OR SCREWDRIVING REQUIRED. There are numerous videos online addressing the issue. I’ve made a few myself. Good luck.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thank you. I can't believe it's something difficult to fix. Even though it's not new, it just has not had hard use. And, right, I'm not wanting to buy another!
Was hoping you'd show greasing the gear stack in the column. This would need to be done also. Thank you for the detailed information on the reverse. Did you find any nylon/plastic gearing?
Try Ace Hardware or similar and they might have it. Also sewingpartsonlne.com. Let me know if you find one so we can share the info with the rest of the group. Good luck
Use the common sewing machine oil that’s available at Jo anns or Walmart or online. It will be labeled as sewing machine oil. It’s an almost clear and watery like oil. It’s very thin and viscous. Yes, any drop-in bobbin type machine that has a magnet under the bobbin case uses plastic bobbins.
I got a Kenmore 385 from a garage sale. It wouldn't go in reverse. I followed your video - thanks btw! The old grease was yellow and gummy. I cleaned it off. Oiled it. BUT NOW it goes in reverse, but it won't engage back into forward stitching. What else could be wrong? Are the springs failing?
No. The “springs” are fine. The same condition that caused it to not reverse, is now causing it to be stuck in reverse. The white lithium grease has hardened and is keeping the reverse mechanism from cycling. It will have to be serviced and cleaned out thoroughly and lubricated and reassembled in order to function properly again. There are no shortcuts to success with this procedure.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 I just got it working! All I had to do is adjust the screw on the arm just below the spring. If it is too tight, it won't engage with the forward cam. Whew!
Ok. I think I get your question. That clip is hard to remove if you don’t use a tiny screwdriver to snap it off. Be careful not to lose it. Hold it with one hand snap it off carefully with the other.
Clean the inside and outside with alcohol, chemtool cleaner or mineral oil. Oil it before reassembly. Take a pic of it before you take it apart to use for reference when reassembling.
If it’s a 385 series, like in the video, the reverse assembly needs to be serviced, like in the video. That old lithium grease has hardened and needs to be dealt with. 😎
Make sure that your stitch selector is set on the zig zag position. Then turn your stitch width dial to add width. If it doesn’t zig zig at that point, it’s needing some lubrication. Add a drop on the left hand side in the needle bar area. About half way in the middle, there’s a plunger that makes the needle bar go left and right. Oil that area and work it left and right. That should get it going. Just don’t adjust anything with a screwdriver. It won’t be necessary. Good luck.
Thank you! I purchased similar model 385.17124 790 but the same repairs worked! Thank you! My little $20 sewing machine just needed the bobbin winder and reverse button fixed up. Yay!
You’re welcome. 😎
Thank you for sharing your expertise!
Have a 385.156 from garage sale, never used, was stuck in reverse. After viewing your video we were able to figure out what needed cleaning and adjusting.
Huge thank you! I got a machine for $15 and your video, a little oil and lots of cleaning she's back to business. 😊
That’s what I love to hear. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching. 😎👍🏼
Thanks for this video. I will say though that I did take my wife's machine apart a bit to clean it up (reverse wasn't working). It really wasn't too dirty. But, I removed the phillips head screw that can be seen in a number of places, but certainly at 5:21. I had a hell of a time when putting it all back together to make it work. It would go in reverse, but not forward, or vice versa. FINALLY, I realized that that screw is sort of an adjustment for the amount of throw from that lever. Once I got it adjusted correctly and tightened, the machine is functioning correctly again!
Great. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense until it does. LOL
Thank thank you thank you! I just started a shop repairing machine and appreciate your videos so much!! Currently mad at a singer Futura… and then I saw your video saying it has issues 😂
Bravo to you. Let me know if I can help if anything gives you fits. I imagine just about anything you might encounter has challenged me equally at some prior time. 👍🏼😎
I am now sewing in reverse, thank you! The spring mechanism was gunked up and needed to be cleaned, but I had another issue. There was too much play between the two arms prior to the linkage to the sliding cam. I took out that play by gluing a shim at the user's plastic lever, I don't know if there is another adjustment for that, or the plastic user lever was just worn.
@@Zacman333 👍🏼
This video is great. Followed everything just as described . First time for everything 😊.
I finally figured out how to remove the covers, and even reassembled them.
Do you have a video on how to adjust the uptake lever on a sewing machine to a higher position.
I have a video on setting the height of the presser bar.
Awesome video, fixed my reverse! Thank you so much!!!!
You’re welcome. 😎
Thank you so much I took your instructions and my machine is sewing so good now
Excellent. You’re welcome.
Hello, thank you for your helpful videos. My situation: Kenmore 385.17828, a year since I used it, reverse stopped working and shortly later then the forward no longer worked. I saw your video about the reverse mechanism (and more). I cleaned and oiled (as best as my green singer oil bottle could reach, top, bottom, left side) and removed what I could of the dried grease on the gears. No one had Triflow Grease locally and Amazon does not ship it to my location. I put some petroleum jelly on the gears. Now the reverse appears to be working (fabric is moving correctly and stitches are made, tested on longest stitch length). But the forward does not allow the feed dogs to come toward the front of the machine - they go up and down but they stay at the furthest back position. There is a brass colored plate covering some of that area that is under the bobbin/needle. Would I need to remove it to find a problem? Or is this a case of needing to put penetrating oil onto a mechanism? (I’m not sure which part needs it for Forward - in reverse there is movement of a piece underneath (that has been moved over to the left because of the Reverse knob) that causes the feed dogs to move but that piece is not engaged when it’s in Forward). Thank you for any advice.
If that reverse mechanism isn’t disassembled, and cleaned and oiled as I explained in the video, it will exhibit all the symptoms you’ve described. Just don’t lose the e-clip and spring. Maybe photo it up close and see what it will look like reassembled. 😎
Thanks. 🙂got my friends machine going by following your instructions
You’re welcome. Looks like your friend has a good friend, that’s you. Good job and thanks for watching.
Thank you. I fixed the reverse om my 385 model 30 but now the mechanism that turns to put it in reverse will not turn when going forward. The feed dogs are not raising up far enough and just moving up and down and not the forward backward motions. 2:37
@@judyeldridge-z6w it’s stuck in the neutral position. Lift the presser foot, unthread the machine, run the machine at a medium speed with your stitch length on its longest setting, cycle the reverse lever until it begins to cooperate.
Thank you so much. How long should this take?
@@judyeldridge-z6w if the gunk was cleaned out and the slide came is clean and lubricated, it shouldn’t take too long.
If you didn’t adjust the screw on the spring loaded follower, it’s just a matter of being patient and cycling it until it operates correctly.
If you adjusted the screw, oops, try to get it back to where it was originally. Good luck 🍀
@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 oh good grief. I mistakenly took that screw off and back on when I first disassembled. So that must be the problem. So it is a tighten or loosen ordeal or placement? Oh my goodness. I am very mechanically inclined and like a dog with a bone with this machine that was given to me. It seems so solid. I hope I can get it working.
@@judyeldridge-z6w that screw determines the amount of flex that the spring applies to the follower to return it to the correct position.
Loosen it and slide it over until it positions the follower correctly.
Hi Randy! I've been watching your videos all day! My Kenmore would not reverse at all. I cleaned and oiled away and got it to function but soon after I started sewing it stopped working again. Pretty sure I didn't dig into it enough on that reverse gear area. I can't seem to find the video that shows how to disassemble, clean and reassemble. Also curious what I'm to replace the lithium goop with? Is 3 in 1 oil sufficient? I do have some silicon lube for treadmills. My hubby (another Randy) thinks I should take it in for repairs but you make me feel confident enough to figure this out. Thanks for any advice you can give.
@@peggysueway3889 if you can find that video, it would help a lot.
A complete disassemble has to occur in order to remove the lithium grease. That reverse assembly has to be totally clean.
A light oil is best. A regular sewing machine oil is what I recommend.
If you do take it in for service, you might find a service person who is familiar with the process. Then again, you may already know more than they will. Good luck 🍀👍.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954I successfully took the reverse area apart and immediately lost the c clip! I was being so careful but in the blink of an eye it was gone. I envisioned it flying into the air but after searching for 10 min I went back to the machine to at least get the old lithium grease out and cleaned up. After a bit the little thing peeked around from the backside of the gear. Oil had grabbed it! I was so relieved and I got it all put back together and it's running great. Thank you sooo much!
@@peggysueway3889 excellent recovery. I am glad you have a happy ending. Good job. 😎👍🏼
Randy please do a video on how to replace rubber ring on bobbin winder for the 385.17822.
I will get to that as soon as I can. Thanks for your suggestion.
Great video. I’m working on a Kenmore 385-15622 which has me totally stumped. I cannot get the thing open as the bottom cover is not removable as is, but comes off with either the front or back piece. Any suggestions?
You just have to find the fasteners and remove them. The manufacturer is making it harder to disassemble because they don’t want you doing it.
Look around and you’ll find them.
Clorox disinfecting wipes will take that lithium grease residue right off, no scraping necessary 😊 not sure what’s in them that does it but works like a charm
I will give that a try. Thanks for the tip.👍😎
Thanks, good video. It helped me find the problem.
You’re welcome
Hi since you worked on this one, I have the exact one. My handwheel is not catching the needle it is stuck, nothing is wrong no thread is stuck. I feel like when I push the clutch in it locks and won't catch the needle any tips?
It sounds like the problem might be in the clutch itself. Put it in the winding mode and see if the motor, belt and hand wheel work ok.
If all that works, and the machine won’t turn when you engage the clutch to run the machine, the clutch would be the issue.
If the clutch doesn’t want to come out of the winding mode, it may need lubrication.
If it engages and the machine won’t turn, the problem is with the machine itself. (Dry bearing)
Thnx...thinking of buying a used one
You’re welcome and thanks for watching.😎👍
My plastic cover over the bobbin won’t stay in place. Can I order this 1 piece for my Kenmore? Thanks for your video. My reverse isn’t working either. Pretty sure I can fix this.
That plastic cover should be available online. Amazon or sewingpartsplus.com will be a good starting point. Good luck
Wow, were we mislead about lithium grease. So true about using the machine frequently, especially Singer 400, and 500 series.
Old machines are like my knees, hips, and shoulders; keep moving or they’ll lock up.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 yeah, I hear you! I've already had my knees replaced. Don't want to repeat that fun time.
@@ronalddevine9587 👍🏼
My kenmore 158 179282 seems to sew fine for basic straight and zigzag stitches. However, it will not perform the built in buttonhole feature. It doesn't make the bartack and it doesn't reverse direction. For regular stitching it does reverse. Also, the specialty stitches don't seem to work properly either. It's as if something is being left out and it may make a knocking noise, probably more on those stitches that require forward and backward motion. The machine has not had that much wear and was sitting up a lot after our move. I followed the manual and oiled it last night to get it ready for use again. Any insights? Are the cams somehow locked up? I guess I should take it in to the mechanic? Thank you.
If you take it to a mechanic, make sure he’s more interested in fixing yours than selling you a new machine. I guess it could happen. LOL
Your manual only addresses malfunctions that happen on a machine that is new.
After a Kenmore sits for an extended time, the automatic releases and followers have to be lubed with a penetrating oil and worked back and forth until they loosen up.
THAT IS ALL YOUR MACHINE NEEDS.
NO WRENCHING OR SCREWDRIVING REQUIRED.
There are numerous videos online addressing the issue. I’ve made a few myself. Good luck.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thank you. I can't believe it's something difficult to fix. Even though it's not new, it just has not had hard use. And, right, I'm not wanting to buy another!
@@riceowls 👍🏼
Was hoping you'd show greasing the gear stack in the column. This would need to be done also. Thank you for the detailed information on the reverse. Did you find any nylon/plastic gearing?
So, I did exactly what you told us not to do and I lost that little clip. 🤦🏻♀️ what is it called? And where can I buy more? Thanks!
Try Ace Hardware or similar and they might have it.
Also sewingpartsonlne.com.
Let me know if you find one so we can share the info with the rest of the group. Good luck
what kind of lubricant should i use on the reverse mechanism? also if I understand right I should ONLY be using plastic bobbins in this machine?
Use the common sewing machine oil that’s available at Jo anns or Walmart or online. It will be labeled as sewing machine oil. It’s an almost clear and watery like oil. It’s very thin and viscous.
Yes, any drop-in bobbin type machine that has a magnet under the bobbin case uses plastic bobbins.
I got a Kenmore 385 from a garage sale. It wouldn't go in reverse. I followed your video - thanks btw! The old grease was yellow and gummy. I cleaned it off. Oiled it. BUT NOW it goes in reverse, but it won't engage back into forward stitching. What else could be wrong? Are the springs failing?
No. The “springs” are fine. The same condition that caused it to not reverse, is now causing it to be stuck in reverse. The white lithium grease has hardened and is keeping the reverse mechanism from cycling. It will have to be serviced and cleaned out thoroughly and lubricated and reassembled in order to function properly again. There are no shortcuts to success with this procedure.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 I just got it working! All I had to do is adjust the screw on the arm just below the spring. If it is too tight, it won't engage with the forward cam. Whew!
@@PhysicsChick27 be sure to cycle the reverse mechanism every time you get ready to sew. That will keep the oil circulated and working. Good job. 👍🏼
Hey, I finally figured it out!~! If you still have this, on the Side of your machine there is a -
How do we remove the engager? The snap is not easily removed. And how do we clean the piece that moves back and forth that attaches to the engager?
I don’t have enough info to understand your question. Sorry.
Ok. I think I get your question.
That clip is hard to remove if you don’t use a tiny screwdriver to snap it off. Be careful not to lose it. Hold it with one hand snap it off carefully with the other.
Clean the inside and outside with alcohol, chemtool cleaner or mineral oil. Oil it before reassembly. Take a pic of it before you take it apart to use for reference when reassembling.
@@randyyoursewingmachineman9954 Thank you so much! I was able to get my machine back to working properly thanks to your video!
@@samanthajones2156 you’re welcome.
El video en español porfavor
why can't my machine do reverse
If it’s a 385 series, like in the video, the reverse assembly needs to be serviced, like in the video.
That old lithium grease has hardened and needs to be dealt with. 😎
I don’t know how to zag zag oprtion.
Make sure that your stitch selector is set on the zig zag position. Then turn your stitch width dial to add width. If it doesn’t zig zig at that point, it’s needing some lubrication. Add a drop on the left hand side in the needle bar area. About half way in the middle, there’s a plunger that makes the needle bar go left and right. Oil that area and work it left and right. That should get it going. Just don’t adjust anything with a screwdriver. It won’t be necessary. Good luck.