Hi Everybody! Happy 4th of July (tomorrow)!
OK, here's the poop. I have a 2 year old Bernina 430 which is new to me (bought from a private party) and it came with a bsr AND the embroidery module. The original owner bought it, took the classes, then decided she didn't like sewing so she put it back in the original boxes and into a closet for a couple of years. I am so thankful I was able to give it a good home!
The thing is, I have been trying to practice with the BSR but it only will work in Mode 2. I am wondering if I need a computer patch, upgrade or something. I cannot get it to go into Mode 1 at all. Of course I know I need to take it to my local Bernina wizard but I was curious to see if any of you knew why because you guys know everything! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Heidi

Are you pressing the start button and holding it for a second or two? You can't just press the button, you need to hold it for a bit.

I rec'd a DVD with my 430, it's been very helpful. I had to refer to it for the #1 or #2. I can't remember at the moment the difference between the modes...possible check the Bernina USA web site or You tube, it has demos of most everything!

Hi Candice. Thank you so much for your input. Well I went in and turned it on, held the start/stop button for a couple of seconds and nothing. Then turned it off and on again and held the scales button and it just went into mode 2, retried holding the start/stop again but it just stays at mode 2.

Boy J, I never thought to look on you tube. Thank you! I'm on my way!

Don't you have to select Mode 1? Then hold the start button.

1. Lower feed dogs
2. Attach BSR foot to sewing machine.
3. Insert BSR plug into green socket.

The BSR symbol will appear on left side of display screen, foot icon will show foot #42 (BSR).

4. Press BSR/Balance button. Mode 1 or 2 will be selected (which ever was used last).
5. Select mode 1 or 2 by pressing appropriate number on screen.
6. Activate BSR and start stitching by stepping on foot control, or by unplugging the foot control and pushing the the start stop button. (A red light in foot will glow when machine is run in BSR mode.

When you are in Mode 1 there is constant power to need whenever you have the foot control pushed or you have pushed the start/stop button. The needle will move up and down slowly when you stop moving the fabric (until you take your foot off the pedal).

Hope this helps you get your machine going in Mode 1. However the only difference is that in Mode 2 the motor is engaged only when the fabric is moved under the foot. I like mode 1 if I have a bigger/heavier quilt on the machine. That way if a heavy part of the quilt falls off the machine....well....the needle goes up and down when the fabric moves and you can get some unauthorized quilting done before you get it stopped. LOL

Well Candice that's just it....it never says Mode 1 to be able to select it. Here's what I do: turn it on, press the scales/bsr button (because the bsr is flashing on the screen) and bingo-right into Mode 2. Can't use it if the foot peddle is plugged in-of course. I really am thinking I'm needing a driver. The video wasn't any help neither was Bernina.com. I can still practice with it until I can make it to the dealer. Mode 1 was just something I wanted to try.

Try plugging the foot control in and see if it gives you a Mode 1 option. I can't remember how I did it with my 440 (I now have a 730), but can you push on the area or the button below the area that it says mode 2 and get it to change? Like push the scale button a second time? As it says in my previous message, if it was turned off in mode 2 the last time it was used, that is where it would be set when it comes back on.

Good luck. The results of your FMQ don't change much with the different modes, just the amount of control you have with stopping and starting.

Yahoo!! I did it! I'm not really sure how but I ran out of bobbin, fixed that, got back up to running, pushed the #1 stitch button and there it was Mode 1. Gonna run and try it again then write myself a big note and see if I can do it again in the morning. Thank you guys for all your help!

There is an update for the BSR foot. Take it to your dealer......they will plug it into the 830 machine and it will automatically update it. I can now use the BSR foot in Mode #1 or Mode #2 with ot without the foot peddle plugged in.

So glad you got it to work in Mode 1. Way to go!
I would definitely take the BSR into a Bernina dealer for an update. While you are there ask about the modification of a stronger spring on the BSR also. Apparently it was decided that would be better, ask the dealer, but mine did it for free.

You all are so kind and helpful! I'm going to see The Wizard (my Bernie dealer-I just love him)on Thursday. There is so much to learn with this new machine. I have an 830 Record from 1974 so this 430 is WAY different. I will always piece with my 830 because it makes the perfect scant quarter inch. I will be start taking lessons on this new one in the fall. Something to look forward to. Again I thank you all for being there!

Wow, now I just need instructions on the automatic buttonhole. I bought my machine at a big show and they didnt give me much instruction. I took my machine in for cleaning in Columbia MO to the dealer there and she really pisse d me off! I paid her $70 for cleaning and she just smirked at me and told me she didnt have time to show me how the buttonhole functions (did that to me twice!) I would never recommend her shop to anyone

Well.....you bought your machine from someone else. Why would you expect her to give you free lessons on how to use it? This is the problem buying machines over the net or at shows to save a few bucks. Your local dealer can't be expected to give support when they made no money from the purchase. Perhaps if you paid to take some machine mastery classes...

I did not buy the machine from her, granted, but I just spent money at her shop to cleaning it, which I did not consider cheap, it would only have taken her a minute to show me.

Why should she give something to you for free when you didn't give her the sale? Dealers can be very touchy when it comes to this sort of thing. $70 was for the cleaning only. You got what you paid for. In the future you may want to consider dealer support in any of your future machine purchases. And yes, $70 is cheap. My dealer charges $95 for the same service.

On the other hand...if she would have taken the few minutes to show you, she could chalk it up to good customer relations as she would have your business for years to come, and might eventually upgrade to a newer model. So, although I understand the "you didn't buy it here" stance, it might be a little short sighted on the dealers part.