Sewing machine won't run.

Is there an up arrow in the icon you see? What you describe could be the Release foot controller pedal icon. Take your foot off the foot pedal. See the trouble-shooting page on page 102 of the manual. The manual is available from Singer here: http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/5b9200a32cfd31ffc30b8d29fd195a57dff4a9e3.pdf .

You are supposed to take your foot off the controller (or press Stop) after winding a few turns of thread on the bobbin. Trim the excess thread above the bobbin. Then step on the foot controller or press Start. Release the foot pedal again when the machine stops winding the bobbin. See page 28 of the manual for the procedure.

I hope this helps. If you do not have the Release foot controller icon displayed, please add a longer description of the icon or indicate which icon from the trouble-shooting section of the manual that is closer to the one you see. If you have released the foot controller and the icon persists, then something may be wrong with the control pedal. A replacement control pedal is ~$35; see http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/singer-9960-quantum-stylist-parts.aspx .

Cindy Wells

Nancy, if you ever give up on your machine, would you consider parting with the cord and foot pedal assembly? - I just picked up a cute machine at a thrift store. Looks like the previous owner's puppy chewed on the plug. It still works, but for how long or how safely is the question. Thank you!

Please check the Stitch regulator & Presser foot lifter.

Not easily - the plug is molded-on so it's best to get a complete new cord - they're still available.

Turn the machine on, press the foot control down and turn the handwheel backwards. If it sputters, the motor carbon brushes are worn to the springs and need replacing.

Next, while pressing on the foot control, try wiggling the wires around where it enters to machine and where it enters the foot control. There may be a short in the cord. If the short is at the machine, you need a new cord. If it is at the foot control, the cord can be pulled into the foot control, the shorted part cut off and the connection reattached.

If it still doesn't work, try removing the cord from the machine and placing an alligator clip test lead to two of the inlet prongs on plugging it into power. Which two prongs you ask? Try several combinations, (one will light up the lamp) CAREFUL: THE MACHINE MAY SUDDENLY TAKE OFF AT FULL SPEED, SO REMOVE THE BOBBIN, THE THREAD AND NEEDLE FIRST. if it runs, it is your foot control. If it doesn't run, it's likely the motor brushes or motor.

replace cord only

You need a new foot control

TRY THIS, itma not be your model, but should help Title:
How do I wind the bobbin?
Pre-tension disk Bobbin winder shaft Bobbin

1. Pull up the spool pin as far as possible, and then put a spool of thread on this pin.
2. Pass the thread around the pre-tension disk. Make sure that the thread passes under the pre- tension disk.
Pre-tension disk Pulling it in as far as possible

Caution If the spool of thread is not in the right place, the thread may tangle on the spool pin.

3. Pass the end of the thread through the hole on the bobbin from the inside of the bobbin.
4. Put the bobbin onto the bobbin winder shaft and slide the bobbin winder shaft to the right.
5. Turn the bobbin clockwise, by hand, until the spring on the shaft slides into the groove of the bobbin. Spring on the shaft Groove of the bobbin

6. Turn on the sewing machine.
7. While holding the end of the thread, gently press the foot controller or press start/ stop button (for models equipped with the start/stop button) to wind the thread around the bobbin a few times. Then stop the machine.
Note

• If the sewing machine is to be operated using the foot controller, connect the foot controller before turning on the machine.
• When the foot controller is plugged in, the start/stop button cannot be used to start sewing (only for models equipped with the start/stop button).

8. Trim the excess thread above the bobbin.
Caution Make sure you follow the instructions carefully.
If you do not cut the thread completely, and the bobbin is wound, when the thread runs low it may tangle around the bobbin and cause the needle to break.

9. Slide the sewing speed controller to the right (to set the speed to fast).
(For models equipped with the sewing speed controller.) Sewing speed controller
10. Press the foot controller or press start/stop button (for models equipped with the start/stop button) to start.
11. When the bobbin seems full and begins spinning slowly, take your foot off the foot controller or press start/stop button (for models equipped with the start/stop button).
12. Cut the thread, slide the bobbin winder shaft to the left and remove the bobbin.
13. Slide the sewing speed controller back to its original position (for models equipped with the sewing speed controller).


Caution Not winding the bobbin properly may cause the thread tension to loosen, and may break the needle.
Wound evenly Wound poorly


Note

• When the sewing machine is started or the handwheel is turned after winding the thread around the bobbin, the machine will make a clicking sound; this is not a malfunction.
• The needle bar does not move when you slide the bobbin winding shaft to the right.

Bobbin Winding 1 Put spool of thread on spool pin. ] Use spool cushion when using cross wound thread. ] Use spool cap when using parallelwound thread. 2 Lift thread guide bar all the way up, and run thread through triangular thread guide as shown in drawing. 3Run thread through bobbin winding thread guide as shown in drawing. 4 Run thread through top thread notch 1, and align bottom thread notch 2 with guide pin on bobbin winder shaft. 5 Press bobbin stop up against empty bobbin. If the bobbin stop does not slide easily between the top and bottom of the bobbin, check that the bobbin is seated properly with the guide pin (4) inserted into the lower notch 6 While holding the end of the thread, step on the foot controller for a few seconds. Once enough thread has wound itself around the bobbin to hold itself in place, release the foot controller and trim the excess thread. 7 Stop winding when bobbin Begin
8 Manually move bobbin stop back to original position. 9 Cut thread and remove bobbin.

bobbin insertion 1 Lift slide plate (and open bobbin door). 2 Put bobbin into the bobbin case. ] Run thread through thread notch and under latch spring, so that a length of about 10 cm is exposed. ] Use a bobbin case with an idling prevention spring. 3 Pull the latch lever of the bobbin case out and push the bobbin case into the shuttle race and release the latch lever. ] If the latch lever is not all the way on the hook, it may fly off during sewing and cause lower thread breakage. 4 Lower slide plate and close bobbin door, following numbers 1 2 above in order. 6 While holding the end of the thread, step on the foot controller for a few seconds. Once enough thread has wound itself around the bobbin to hold itself in place, release the foot controller and trim the excess thread. 7 Stop winding when bobbin is full. Take foot off foot controller. * Place the thread end so that it does not protrude from the bobbin. Bobbin Stop
so this will be ok and no need to worry about this

Your machine needs a YDK-28 cord and a standard foot control. They should cost $14-20 for the cord and $20-30 for the control. Any competent sewing machine dealer should be able to get these parts.
Note!! You should thread the machine and manually try it before you invest this much money in it. You also need to lubricate it before you power it up for normal service.
sewman7