I have a Kenmore sewing machine, model #385.81524. It goes forward, but not in reverse.
By Barb
I'm a Singer person but can answer this one for you - either something is wrapped around the reverse mechanism inside the machine, or the gear is broken.
This is a job for a qualified Kenmore sewing machine repair tech - he/she will have the knowledge and tools to go straight in and sort the problem. Assuming the problem is not the gear (usually isn't but it could happen in which case your cost will go up a little), the repair and servicing (cleaning, oiling, check over for other problems) will cost you around $100.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My Kenmore 385.17324 no longer stitches in reverse. The lever presses down and springs back up, but the reverse action does not engage. After removing the bottom of the machine and visually inspecting it there was no reverse action. Is this something I can fix? How?
Thank you.
In the past, I had this issue. The thread on the machine broke and when I went to pull it out it got wrapped around the reverse on the machine that stopped the machine from stitching in reverse. You need to open the panel for the light and check inside.
Many times an older machine can snap a small spring or get thread caught that is difficult to find.
Since this is a Kenmore you may be able to get help from a Sears Service Center tech and if it needs a part they will have it.
Be sure to call first as many places are closed right now.
www.service-center-locator.com/
One of the best sewing machine forums online is this one.
When I push in the reverse, the feed dog seems to change, but the stitches look like they are set on zero to 1 and barely move. Everything works going forward. I have oiled and cleaned everything.
When the reverse is being held in, you can watch the gear shaft underneath, and it obviously is not moving as far as it does going forward. Any ideas on what to do next?Open the machine and run a hairdryer to soften up any grease. Then oil. Machines must be used to operate efficiently. Lack of use will cause it to freeze up.
My Janome sewing machine won't sew in reverse. It has perfect stitching forward. It is model 3015. Any suggestions?
This site has a lot of info on these machines.
One of the suggestions was to check to make sure your dials are all set correctly and that it is no buttonhole stitch is selected.
It also recommended if you do all of the basic troubleshooting, to call their service desk for additional guidance (the link
PS...I always go right to the horse's mouth so to speak before trying anything other than the basics...machines are expensive and I would rather be penny wise safe than pound foolish monkeying with it myself. I have had too many expensive DYI nightmares...so that is why I preach call the company!
Thanks for listening!!! Hope this helps!!
The reverse button on my Singer model 478, does not respond.
You may have a broken spring under the button
My Elna 3007 became temperamental at sewing in reverse some years ago. On occasion, I will need to push the button more than once in order to make it sew in reverse. Just recently, it stopped sewing in reverse completely. So I inspected the bobbin case and area and cleaned quite a bit of lint out of it. It began to sew in reverse again. I thought it was fixed. Now, a week later, it no longer sews in reverse.
A 'broken' gear on a modern electric doesn't mean the same thing as a 'broken' gear on a sewing machine built when all parts were made from cast iron and steel. 'Modern' electric sewing machine have a number of gears made from rubber, silicone, and plastic - if the teeth on those gears are worn just a bit the teeth will catch if there is enough of the synthetic material left on several teeth - the stop-start motion in sewing will force the wornish bits on until the remaining teeth catch.
Bottom line is - your gear is going/gone and you need to take your machine to a repair tech.
My 48k58 old Singer sewing machine won't go in reverse, any ideas?
I would oil around the button or lever that makes it go in reverse as a first step.
My 2yr old Elna Experience 580 has a reverse sewing button. When I use it all that happens is the needle moves extremely slowly. What can I do to solve this!
I have a Kenmore 385.15358 sewing machine that doesn't reverse stitch anymore. When I push the reverse button it actually pushes to the inside of the machine. I took it apart and the only thing I can think of is that it needs a new spring. The spring is loose and not tight fitting around the shaft.
Am I correct in assuming this is the problem? And where do I get a replacement part? I contacted Sears and they could only send me to the maker of the machine. I haven't heard from them yet.If the reverse stitch assembly is broken, it is a complex job and should be taken care of by a professional.
You can take the panel off and see if the area needs cleaning or has a loose screw. That you can handle yourself.
My Kenmore model 385 sewing machine won't go in reverse. What could be my problem? Serial # 51006274.
Thanks!
It's a broken gear inside your machine - this isn't a home fix. You need to take your machine to a qualified sewing machine repair tech.
I do repair-refurbs on my Sewing 101 student's machines, mainly Singers but some of the other brands as well. Please believe me - the problem with your machine isn't something you can take care of yourself at home, it requires access to parts, the tools (specialised) to do the work, and the hideously expensive service manual with all the information needed to perform the repair.
No necessarily a broken gear. I just fixed my Kenmore 385 that had quit sewing in reverse. The mechanism just froze up from lack of use. Take the bottom off the machine to expose the mechanism, push the reverse button several times while studying the workings. If you do not use the machine much, it is likely just froze up. You have nothing to lose by checking it out.
