OK some good information. I have taken it apart and didn't know there was a spring back in the tension mechanism. I will check that. We are in the process of cleaning and getting it ready to sew is how we discovered the problem. It was and still very dirty. It had been stored in a shed after being purchased at an auction so you know it is a mess. I have printed up the parts and users manual as well as saved them to my hard drive. When printed the parts aren't true to size so checking the pin won't work. Otherwise it looks like the pin that is in there. I have searched the net and can't find a place to buy parts so am still looking for that if anyone knows of a site I can buy parts for this machine.
Thanks
Lynda