danydany

Hi. Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, it did not take me to any repair instructions, just to various search results for buying sewing machines and other appliances. I'll keep looking.
...dany

Candace

It's very cold:>

elnan

I too looked at that website and figured if you bought more than one machine new, you had a few manuals BUT take a look at that service manual that is there. At 29 pages to print out, you may get some help from the section on the stitch selector. Granted, the service manual is for a different and older model, but much of the advice carries over to models by the same manufacturer. The best part about that service manual is the part that gives detailed info on taking apart the casing to get to the inner workings. In googling Kenmore 385.16231, it appears several people have asked for help regarding that knob. One of the suggestions was using a hair dryer to soften the grease, no dismantle needed. It looks like a good machine with 32 reviews on sewingpatternreview. I don't have any kenmores that new, all older and heavy as boat anchors. I think Janome deliberately built in way too many steps for operating the kenmores, stitch length at longest, take-up lever at hightest, stars all lined up, toes crossed etc. before moving the knob, nothing intuitive about it. The sewer may have jammed that cam past it's proper place, and there is info in that service manual for cam servicing. All you have to lose is ink and 29 sheets of paper.

danydany

Thanks for the suggestion. I think you are right about a plastic part may be broken. I guess I will get my tool kit together and take it to class next time, and see what I can see. And it's nice that you have an old shop owner to go to. I don't know of any in the area that I would go to. (I have had some unsatisfactory experiences locally.) I guess I'll just have to keep an eye out in the future.
...dany

Stitchnripper

http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/lis_...M/L0410144.pdf

Could this be the service manual? I was googling for an image and this came up.

danydany

Hi. I think I am thoroughly confused. I went to the link given, and got a 117-page manual, that is the USER manual, but in multiple languages. I did not see any information about taking the casing apart to get to the inner workings. I'm stumped. But thanks for trying.
...dany

danydany

Woo Hoo!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! That does indeed appear to be the SERVICE manual. I could swear I googled for the information, but I never found that link. (But then, I'm one who gets street lights to go off by driving under them. And the computer misbehaves for me, and when I call my husband in to show him, it behaves perfectly. Or differently. Or both. Argh.)

I guess we will see what happens with my efforts to fix the machine.
...dany

Stitchnripper

Glad to know that's it! I was just looking to see what the machine looked like and saw this link. Sometimes it happens when you least expect it!! Let us know if you get it fixed.