quiltrn 12 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 I turned on the machine this a.m. and it went through its usual process without any indication of trouble. I got ready to pull the bobbin thread up and the needle up/down won't work. I tried all 4 handles. NOTHING works, no extra lights blinking/flashing etc. There is power to the machine. This machine has had only 4 quilts done on it. And, of course, it happens on a Sunday!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have look at the DVDs that came with the machine and can't really find much in them. Sure with they furnished the book like they did with the old machines. Searched the help section on forums and didn't find anything either. Thanks..... Quote Alyn Meyer Millie Creekside Longarm Quilting alyn.gravatt@gmail.com Rapid City, SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anniemueller 331 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 I'm guessing it might have blown it's fuse. Do you have it plugged into a surge protector? I haven't changed the fuse yet. There is supposed to be a spare....I'm sure someone else will chime in with better info. Don't despair Alyn. Millie's a great machine. She'll be back up and running before you know it. Quote Millenium with Circle Lord, Bliss and IQ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quiltrn 12 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 Yes, it is plugged into a surge protector. There is power to the machine though. When I looked at what little info there is on the supplied DVD, it sounds like if the fuse blows, it won't even turn on. I will look at the fuse though, should be able to tell if is blown or not. Thanks. Quote Alyn Meyer Millie Creekside Longarm Quilting alyn.gravatt@gmail.com Rapid City, SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zora 317 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 Check all of your plugs...both on the machine and into your power strip, etc. I had this happen awhile back, and apparently I had knocked one of the plugs a bit loose when vacuuming. The machine turned on initially, but apparently my moving the machine just a smidge was enough to make it not make a good connection somewhere in the process. Hopefully, the fuse replacement will work and you can be on your way quilting. Yes, I miss the good old days when we could have a book of instructions with our purchases! 1 quiltrn reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iquiltit 110 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 right below where the power cord plugs into the machine there is an on and off switch. maybe you accidentally turned that switch off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quiltrn 12 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 Have double and triple checked all connections. checked fuse, not blown but replaced anyway. LED screen still lights up, thread cutter works when that is pushed. There is only one on/off switch that I see. So, all cables secure, LED lights up, new fuse, still nothing. Thanks for the suggestions. Quote Alyn Meyer Millie Creekside Longarm Quilting alyn.gravatt@gmail.com Rapid City, SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neher-in-law5 253 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 I had a similar problem with George a few years ago. His lights would come on but he wouldn't work. I replaced fuses (more than once) and called the factory. I ended up taking him to Carroll and they replaced the motherboards in George and the foot pedal. There was a short in there somewhere. He was still under warranty so there was no repair cost and Amy had the job done in a morning. They do ask for an appointment time if you are bringing the machine yourself. I hope it gets fixed quickly for you. I see you are from SD, there are some nice quilt shops in the area to keep you occupied while you wait for service! 1 quiltrn reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meg 493 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 Is it beeping when it's in SR mode? Have you increased the stitches to make it run in SR? Quote Meg "Do small things with great love." Mother Teresa "Life's too short to fuss with thread." Meg Fazio http://theonewiththreadsonherclothes.blogspot.com/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/megfazio Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Primitive1 801 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 Oh No...... I hope you are able to get it fixed soon, don't worry though, APQS will help you! Quote http://www.flickr.com/photos/sewmanyquiltssewlittletime/ Proud Millie Owner! Sew Many Quilts - Sew Little Time Custom Long Arm Quilting Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anniemueller 331 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 Can you move the needle up and down manually with the fly wheel? It's on the left side near the front. Push it down, it should move the needle. I'm wondering if the needle bar is jammed for some reason. Quote Millenium with Circle Lord, Bliss and IQ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aleksich 78 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 Optical senors is the first thing to check if nothing is working. Make sure the lights are flashing very slowly as you hand turn the fly wheel. When the machine is working correctly the lights go so fast you don't see the flickering. Call Amy in the morning, is my best advise. I am still 5 months without a machine with everything replace one to three times. I did find someone who is coming out next week to look at her before packing her off to Iowa. I am now in a very slow cycle period now. Quote Ult.1 "Live every day, like you were dieing" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quiltrn 12 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 Can move needle up and down manually. No beeping or noises of any kind coming from her, just from me!!!!! If I have to actually send it in, can't imagine what postage will be and I haven't had her that long Quote Alyn Meyer Millie Creekside Longarm Quilting alyn.gravatt@gmail.com Rapid City, SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aleksich 78 Report post Posted September 8, 2013 It sounds like an optical senor, very easy to replace yourself. I have replaced it 3 times:). I have learned a lot about repairing this machine myself in the last 5 months. I went from racing to nothing to a very slow cycle. So I am getting one step closer each time. Good luck and call APQS in the morning, they are the best and can tell you over the phone for the most part what is wrong and how to fix it. I am having a hard time sending her away for a fix, due to the cost of shipping myself. But may have to take a loan out and just do it Quote Ult.1 "Live every day, like you were dieing" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RitaR 645 Report post Posted September 9, 2013 OMG, I just had this problem a couple of weeks ago. With Penny, I had the stitch regulator turned down too low for it to go. What a relief when something brought that to mind, and it worked. Hope it is that simple for you. Rita Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quiltrn 12 Report post Posted September 9, 2013 SR is set to default. Even if it is turned off, nothing. Will call tomorrow. Thanks for all your help. I will post what they say the problem is so if someone else has problem it may help. Thank You!!! Quote Alyn Meyer Millie Creekside Longarm Quilting alyn.gravatt@gmail.com Rapid City, SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DawnCavanaugh 549 Report post Posted September 9, 2013 Alyn, I'm so sorry your machine isn't working properly! Definitely give us a call when you can be at the machine and we'll figure out how to get it fixed asap. Quote APQS Customer Service & Education Director 1-800-426-7233 dawn@apqs.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RitaR 645 Report post Posted September 9, 2013 I'm on prescribed steroids, so my thinking is worse than usual.. and that ain't great at it's best. What I meant to say, was I had to increase the stitches per inch, to get the machine to sew. I doubt it would really matter if the SR is on or off. Just sayin' Rita Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quiltrn 12 Report post Posted September 10, 2013 Spoke with Amy @ APQS today. They did diagnostics and really don't know what they think the problem is but the bottom line is that since I have had the machine such a short time, they are sending me another one. Downside to that is that I have a quilt 2/3 done on the machine and have to, obviously, take out the back two bars to remove and install the new machine. That will be a good lesson in getting things realigned with the panto. Thanks again for all of your help!! Happy quilting. Quote Alyn Meyer Millie Creekside Longarm Quilting alyn.gravatt@gmail.com Rapid City, SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cathyh 123 Report post Posted September 10, 2013 APQS to the rescue, again!! Alyn, you will be glad you figured out how easy it is to take a quilt off and put it back on. Can't say I know how to realign a panto, but I am sure you will have one of the experts on this forum helping you with that! 1 quiltrn reacted to this Quote Cathy Hamilton - M&M'ed 2008 Millennium - Part-time Quilter, Full-time Lover of Quilts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darlene Epp 271 Report post Posted September 10, 2013 Once you get it remounted, just align the needle to the start of a row you've already quilted. Then adjust your laser to the same spot. Advance the quilt as you normally would and hit go! THIS is why I LOVE the zipper system so much. When you zip the quilt back on, it's in exactly the same place. Only takes a couple of minutes to remount the quilt and be ready to sew again. 1 Beachside Quilter reacted to this Quote DIGITIZED Designs for Computerized Quilting The POCKET GUIDES to Freehanding eppd@telus.net Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bonnie H 557 Report post Posted September 10, 2013 If you have to ship your machine back to factory, I would ask apqs to send you a shipping label from ups. Nolting does this for their customers and it saves about $75 in shipping from california to iowa and back again. Nolting had me reimbursre them but what a savings! 1 whitepinesquilter reacted to this Quote Circle Lord Equipped http://www.bloomingquilts.blogspot.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
donna sco 40 Report post Posted September 10, 2013 When you get your quilt remounted, I would move the machine across the width of the quilt with the laser on checking a specific point as you go across before you begin stitching. Might save some frogging. I am not as good about remounting a quilt as Darlene is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quiltrn 12 Report post Posted September 10, 2013 Thanks again everyone for all of your suggestions. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new machine, it is "supposed" to be here tomorrow. APQS did send a return shipping label so we are all set on that. Bad thing is, my aunt from Kansas is here and we were working on the quilts that she brought. So, I bought an embroidery machine and have been making labels for all of the quilts!! Man is that a huge learning curve. Can't wait until I can take classes on that too. Happy Quilting... Quote Alyn Meyer Millie Creekside Longarm Quilting alyn.gravatt@gmail.com Rapid City, SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quiltrn 12 Report post Posted September 12, 2013 So, I got the new machine today . We got it put on and NOTHING HAPPENS. Once again, there is power to the machine but nothing else. I know that APQS would not send out a machine that does not work. My previously machine worked for 3 quilts and then just wouldn't work the next day. I am so frustrated. I have once again, double and triple checked everything, or so it seems. I will call Amy in the morning but this is getting so frustrating. Quote Alyn Meyer Millie Creekside Longarm Quilting alyn.gravatt@gmail.com Rapid City, SD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shirleyl 240 Report post Posted September 12, 2013 Really dumb question, have you tried an outlet on a different breaker? Shirley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
