Sewing Machine: Why doesn't my sewing machine motor run?
A faulty foot pedal, locked drive gears, wiring failure or bad drive motor will prevent the sewing machine motor from running.
Unplug the sewing machine and check the wiring connections between the foot pedal and the motor. Reconnect any loose wires and repair any broken wires. Use a multimeter to check for continuity through the foot pedal switch (with the sewing machine still unplugged). Replace the foot pedal if the meter measures no continuity through the foot pedal switch with the pedal depressed.
Spin the hand wheel to check for drive system binding. If you can turn the hand wheel, clean and lubricate the sewing machine to free up the drive gears. If the sewing machine motor buzzes but doesn't run, a motor bearing may be locked up. Replace the sewing machine motor if it buzzes but doesn't turn.
If the sewing machine motor doesn't make any noise when activated, then an internal wiring failure in the motor may be preventing the motor from running. Replace the motor if it won't make any noise and won't run when activated.
THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR SEWING MACHINE PROBLEM
Replace the sewing machine motor
The motor drives the belt, which spins the hand wheel and upper shaft. Replace the motor if it won't run when activated by the foot pedal.
Sewing machine motor
How to replace a sewing machine drive motor
If your sewing machine runs roughly or won't run at all, the drive motor could be the problem. This step-by-step repair guide and video show how to replace a sewing machine drive motor in 30 minutes or less.
Replace the sewing machine foot pedal
The foot pedal sends power to the motor. The foot pedal controls the speed of the motor, which drives the belt and hand wheel. Replace the foot pedal control if it fails to send power to the motor or control motor speed when activated.
Sewing machine foot pedal
Clean the sewing machine
Clean lint and debris from the shuttle race every 3 months because it often attracts lint and dust. Clean the feed dogs at the same time because they also attract lint and dust. Clean those areas more often when using the sewing machine regularly. Oil the sewing machine after cleaning.
Clean the sewing machine
Most common symptoms to help you fix your sewing machines
Choose a symptom to see related sewing machine repairs.
Main causes: power supply failure, bad power cord, faulty On/Off switch…
Main causes: lack of lubrication, lint buildup, worn drive belt, faulty drive motor…
Main causes: problems with the feed dogs, setting stitch length to 0…
Main causes: dirty shuttle race, improper thread routing, incorrect thread tension…
Main causes: disengaged clutch, broken drive belt, internal drive gear failure…
Main causes: faulty foot pedal, locked drive gears, wiring failure, bad drive motor…
Main causes: dirty shuttle race, wrong thread tension, bad needle timing, damaged needle, using the wrong type of needle…
Main causes: thread bunched up in the shuttle race, bad needle timing, internal drive gear failures…
Main causes: machine needs lubrication, internal gear failure…
Most common repair guides to help fix your sewing machines
These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your sewing machine.
How to replace a sewing machine drive motor
If the drive motor on your sewing machine runs roughly or doesn't run at all, you can replace it in about 30 minutes usi…
How to replace a sewing machine drive belt
You can replace a broken sewing machine drive belt in about 15 minutes. …
How to replace a sewing machine on/off switch
If the sewing machine is completely dead, replace the On/Off switch using these 6 steps.…
Effective articles & videos to help repair your sewing machines
Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your sewing machine.
Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.…
Get answers to frequently asked questions about Sears and Sears PartsDirect.…
Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working…