Get free shipping on your order, with any water filter subscription. Find my filter

Open Hamburger Menu
Sears Parts Direct
Please enter one or more characters
Scan Icon
Tips to find your model number
Water filters
Water filter finder tool
DIY help
Featured products
Top brands
View all parts by brand
Top products and services
Products by brand
Orders
Customer Service
Schedule a repair

Why doesn't my sewing machine motor run?

less than a minute readApr 19Lyle Weischwill
image of sewing-machine

A faulty foot pedal, locked drive gears, wiring failure or bad drive motor will prevent the sewing machine motor from running.

Unplug the sewing machine and check the wiring connections between the foot pedal and the motor. Reconnect any loose wires and repair any broken wires. Use a multimeter to check for continuity through the foot pedal switch (with the sewing machine still unplugged). Replace the foot pedal if the meter measures no continuity through the foot pedal switch with the pedal depressed.

Spin the hand wheel to check for drive system binding. If you can turn the hand wheel, clean and lubricate the sewing machine to free up the drive gears. If the sewing machine motor buzzes but doesn't run, a motor bearing may be locked up. Replace the sewing machine motor if it buzzes but doesn't turn.

If the sewing machine motor doesn't make any noise when activated, then an internal wiring failure in the motor may be preventing the motor from running. Replace the motor if it won't make any noise and won't run when activated.


These repairs may help solve your sewing-machine problem

JC-SEW-Replace-the-sewing-machine-motor

Replace the sewing machine motor

The motor drives the belt, which spins the hand wheel and upper shaft. Replace the motor if it won't run when activated by the foot pedal.

Sewing machine motor

Find the required part specific to your product.
Apr 01
By Lyle Weischwill
How to replace a sewing machine drive motor

If your sewing machine runs roughly or won't run at all, the drive motor could be the problem. This …

Repair time and Difficulty

 15 minutes or less
JC-SEW-Replace-the-sewing-machine-foot-pedal

Replace the sewing machine foot pedal

The foot pedal sends power to the motor. The foot pedal controls the speed of the motor, which drives the belt and hand wheel. Replace the foot pedal control if it fails to send power to the motor or control motor speed when activated.

Sewing machine foot pedal

Find the required part specific to your product.
JC-SEW-Clean-the-sewing-machine

Clean the sewing machine

Clean lint and debris from the shuttle race every 3 months because it often attracts lint and dust. Clean the feed dogs at the same time because they also attract lint and dust. Clean those areas more often when using the sewing machine regularly. Oil the sewing machine after cleaning.

Clean the sewing machine

Find the required part specific to your product.