Singer 201
 

I have 2 Singer 201's one sews like a top, you can control the speed beautifully. The other one goes 0 or 100 mph LOL!!! What can I do??? Will a new foot control help? Thanks for any help.

An easy way to find that out is to take the foot pedal from the machine that sews well and try it on the one that is not working well. If that is the problem, new power cord/foot pedal combinations are readily availabe and usually under $30.

Thanks Good idea, wish it was as easy as 221 to change the cords. On the 201 the foot control is hard wired, so not a quick change. Just thought someone may have had the same problem and could tell me more.

I've switched the cord/controller set between my 201, 221 and 301s so many times I can't remember which set actually goes to which machine. I agree that it's probably the controller that is the culprit. You can open the controller and disconnect the wires from there.

Cari

I have a 1950 201, the foot controller and plugs are easily rewired or replaced? The old three prong plug is not the only standard, so you have to be careful and get the right kind if you go for an all-in-one replacement with heat sealed plug and new pedal. New clam shaped pedals are suppose to regulate speed better than the old bakelite button type.

You might be able to improve your old pedal. Depending on type there might be one or two capacitors, and they can be replaced. If it only has the stack of carbon plates, they can be carefully taken out and wiped off with a dry microfiber cloths (or three). When you get the dust off them, they are in theory good as new.

Thanks to you all. Both of my 201's are in a cabinet and power cord and foot control are separate, will it work with the cord combo like on the 221?

I can't positively say yes or no without seeing your set up, but my 301 that has separate plug ins on the machine for two cords will work with the single plug dual cord set up. So did all of the 401s I sold.

Cari

Okay, this was on one of the other forums I am on, they were saying a lot of times it is the, shoot, can't remember the name of it now, in the controller, you need to take some out or put some in to make it go the right speed. Can anyone tell me what those things are? darn not much help when my brain is fogged out.

I tried this with Archaicarcane's help ---- an excellent blog tutorial:
http://www.archaicarcane.com/singerattheraces/ for an unresponsive foot controler.

There is also this, maybe, sewbeadit, this is what you were thinking of?
http://www.archaicarcane.com/what-a-pile-of/ (carbon buttons..... )

Archaicarcane is a valued member of this forum.

My DD has the exact problem with her 201. I thought it was just her, but there may be more to it. Guess a new controller is in her future. They aren't painfully hard to change if you have an extra. I put a solid state controller from Sew-Classic.com on mine and it works like a charm, so will probably take one to her. Good thing I bought an extra one since I like them so much. It makes a difference and they don't get hot and full of dirt. It was under $20 and if you have questions, Jenny put instructions and diagrams on the website. You can also call her for help. If you get a cord, they will wire it for you for about $2.50 extra, well worth it if you aren't sure of how to go about it.