Machine problems, elna diva 9000

[feather]

My machine has forgotten how to sew a zig zag stitch, the number 4 stitch is the zig zag. It is a computerized machine (and so I should be able to figure this out).
I chose a number 10 stitch, and it sewed backwards (yes, no kidding--this is bad).
So I have to assume it's lost it's mind. Since computers are logical, the only way it could have lost it's mind is for the batteries to have run out. (The power source is to plug it into the wall and that is working fine. The battery is the power source for the computer when it is not plugged in, it helps it remember how to do all the different stitches when the machine is not plugged in, not unlike a computer, computers also have a small battery to help it remember boot up procedures when they are not plugged in.)

On the back of the machine there is a screw (I'm looking for a place for the battery, so I can replace it) but it is not a flat head or a slot, not an allen, not a star, it is possibly a robertson. I have a screw driver that came with the machine but that is a small flat head, for sure, it does not fit this screw. (there is also a phillips screw on the back of the machine but I'm sure I have a screw driver to fit that one.)

I may need to buy the right size/shape screw driver but I'm very unsure how they are sized and if it is actually a robertson. I'm getting ahead of myself by trying to find the right screw driver when I don't know where the battery compartment is in the first place.

I probably need to find the manual, and I thought I had previously found it online, now it is eluding me. The manual would be great, if it told me where the battery compartment is.

I'm in a hopeless manual search on google. I remember that on some other forum (a forum that will not be named), there were people, quality people that knew a lot about sewing machine repair and how they worked. I can only hope those people migrated over to here and may have some hopeful words about what I should do next to fix this machine.

[spacecase0]

is this what you are looking for ?
www.scribd.com/doc/248186064/104824386-Elna-8000-9000-Diva-Sewing-Machine-Instruction-Manual-1
I can't read that site, so I can't tell if it is right or not

[feather]

spacecase0, yes, and perfect, and thank you so much!
I found the battery compartment, in the bottom of the machine. (without a screw driver issue)
I changed the batteries, but the computer still isn't working. I changed them twice in case it was a problem with the batteries. The zig zag stays on the right side of center, when I try to center the needle the needle stays to the right of center. The computer in it isn't putting the needle in the right place anymore.

I'm thinking this machine is worse off than I thought. I'd pay someone to fix it but I'm not convinced the average repair person would be able to help. I had it cleaned and adjusted at an inflated price, now it is broken again. It did work for a week, and now nothing again. I don't know what to do really. This was my work horse machine when I had kids and made lots of clothes. Now I just want a zig zag and it won't do that trick.

Thanks for your time! I do appreciate it. I know it had to take time to find the manual. Thank you.

[spacecase0]

sounds like it lost its programming,
it likely needs reprogramming (and would need reprogrammed each time you change its batteries)
was there some way to upload additional stitches ?
you might be able to get the default programming back into it if you can get a copy of that program

the people that made it might be able to help you with that
www.elnausa.com/en-us/contact.php

[feather]

Jul 12, 2016 4:14:32 GMT spacecase0 said:

sounds like it lost its programming,
it likely needs reprogramming (and would need reprogrammed each time you change its batteries)
was there some way to upload additional stitches ?
you might be able to get the default programming back into it if you can get a copy of that program

the people that made it might be able to help you with that
www.elnausa.com/en-us/contact.php

The machine was made in 1992, I believe. I don't think stitches can be uploaded--there are at least 100 stitches preprogrammed into its basic make. If stitches could be uploaded, it isn't apparent to me or mentioned in the manual, nor do I see a port where any type of upload could be managed. Then to give the machine even more variety for more stitches, cartridges were purchased and put into compartments on the side. I have those.

I wrote an email to the contact at Elna describing the issue and asking them for directions on how or where to get it fixed. Hopefully I'll hear from them soon. Thanks again Spacecase0, it helps me to be able to have your help here!

[farmchix]

I would play with the stitch width and see if it has decided to randomly default to zero. You never know...

[feather]

Elna, the main office just referred me to the dealers. There are two near here, one is an hour away and the other two hours away. I wrote to the closest one and they don't reply to their website contact.

I was letting this issue whirrrrrr through my brain for a while. I have another machine, old, but I finally got it working, for small projects, I'm okay with that. Now on the elna I thought, there HAS to be some kind of a 'reset' button, like a computer, there just HAS to be one. So I googled reset button on it and sure enough the instructions for the different 'modes' comes up, for testing, and setting different parts of the machines functions. It didn't mention the reset button itself but it mentioned all the 'short cut combinations' for everything else. SO....that is in the service manual, which is not the same as the user manual. I think I might as well buy that. I'm kind of excited about that and I appreciate all the help here, people thinking with me. farmchix, spacecase0, Thank you. I'll report back one way or another as I figure it out or take it to a dealer. (spacecase0, also, thank you for the answer on the freezer lubricant question!)

[farmchix]

Good luck! If they don't respond, you may want to contact corporately and let them know their dealer isn't replying....