My Elna SU air has a cam stuck in the top. I have put oil on top and let it sit for hours but when I push down on the center post the cam will not pop up. What else can I do?

Question 1

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How to put back the parts 401161, 401170 and 401140 of a Elna Air Electronic SU bobbin?

It might be here

https://www.google.com/search?q=Elna+Air+Electronic+SU+bobbin+replacement

..

Dec 12, 2023 • Elna Sewing Machines

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Elna SU Air Electronic 68 won't change needle positions. It was my MIL's machine. Is it worth the $200-300 cost for repair?

Question edited for clarity.
Question moved from Washing Machines to Elna.

It is a good old workhorse and I would say worth repairing. The new ones are also more unreliable because they rely heavily on computer electronics.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Elna+SU+air+electronic+parts

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https://www.google.com/search?q=Elna+SU+air+electronic

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Dec 17, 2022 • Elna Sewing Machines

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Elna su globe change how to?

Not sure if you have a Star Series SU or the newer Air Electronic SU machines but its similar for both. Firstly unplug the machine from the power. On the top of the machine head above the light and presser foot, there is a little hole, place the tiny screw driver that came with your accessory kit into this hole and push down. The bulb and assembly will come down on a spring, you may need a spare hand from someone to push this down. The bulb is a bayonet socket, so push and turn bulb to release. It goes in on an angle though, sometimes its easier first time to lie machine over on a towel on its side and have a look at what you are doing as you push down on the socket. Bulbs are 15w bayonet, if you remove the old one and take it to the shop, should be able to find something similar even if its not branded Elna.
Hope this assists.

pages from elna sp st su star series instruction booklet -2usav4ksg3kxgttdggaw0tzd-2-1.jpg

Jul 16, 2019 • Elna Sewing Machines

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How to remove a can from an elna Carina . Its stuck and can't remove it. My grandma gave it to me . She hasn't used it in years

push down on the shiny metal centre spindle that holds the cam, this pops the cam up off the little "finger" that it locks onto. If you can't push down at all, try dribbling some good quality sewing machine oil (tri-flow if you can get it, its brilliant) down the centre of this spindle and give it an hour or so, then try again. The cam won't just pull off, you need to push the metal spindle down for it to release.

Jul 03, 2015 • Elna Sewing Machines

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The cam seems to be locked up and won't release. I have the settings where the manual says to, but the button does not go down to release the cam.

Is this a Supermatic (green), Star SU (white with blue top) or an Air Electronic SU model, I'm guessing that it is one of these Elna models?
If it is one of the two latter models, then you need to set the stitch width to zero, stitch length to zero to disengage the feeler arms that read off the disc. Then press on the cam release knob in the middle of the Elnagraph.

The earlier Supermatics were a bit different and there was a tool you used to remove the cams I think.

You could try to remove to the top cover and then see if you can get some oil in under the Elnagraph, this may help to free up the mechanisim. There is a little finger that goes into the cam from the underside and you don't want to damage this as you remove the cam.

My other suggestion is to join the "Elna Heirlooms" user group on Yahoo.com and see if one of the members there has a suggestion on how to get the cam off. There are some really knowledgeable Elna owners there so one of them may have encountered this problem too.

Dec 20, 2011 • Sewing Machines

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I have a Elna SU - new in the mid-70's and recently took it to an auth. repair place. The needle position wheel is very stiff - almost impossible to move. It is used mainly in conjunction w/the...

I was going to direct you to the www.arizonaexpressionz.com website which had lots of Elna instruction and service manuals including the SU but today its links seem to be out of action. It may come back to life so worth checking another time.

In the meantime, did your repair shop actually service the machine or just pull the top cover off, put in oil and tell you that's it. There are still Elna trained technicians out there who are familiar with the older Swiss made machines and its probably worth trying to find one if you think the service centre you've visited hasn't actually addressed the issue.

The other option is if you are in the USA, contacting White Sewing Centre and maybe sending it to them to be serviced. LInk is www.whitesewingcenter.com.

Or if you are technically minded yourself, you could join the "Elna Heirloom" group on Yahoo and then ask the other members there for help, there are lots of Elna lovers with models much older than the SU there who lovingly keep their machines running and share their knowledge. Just be clear as to whether yours is a Star Series SU (white with blue top) or Air Electronic SU (if you look on the id plate of the machine there will be a 2 digit code either 62 or 68.

I hope this helps you a little, I'd certainly persist with it if I was you. I just purchased my second SU 2nd hand after buying a new model of another brand 5 years ago and being quite disappointed with its performance, particularly with heavy jobs.

Aug 07, 2011 • Elna Sewing Machines

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How do you change the light?

what model is this for?

On the Air electronic SU and Carina there is a little hole in the top that you put your mini screw driver into and push down - this pushes the light socket down so you can access the bulb, bayonet 15W fitting.

On the Stellas it is similar retracting light socket but there is a little lever on the back of the machine head that you need to push down, use screwdriver across it to give leverage.

Jul 25, 2011 • Elna Sewing Machines

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1answer

My elna has cams to upgrade the number of stitches it can do but I am unable to get them to work. I believe I have installed them correctly but cannot activate them.

Throughout the Swiss Elna range there were several of their top of line models that have the black cams for additional stitches and they all have an "Elnagraph" device in the top of the machine case where you insert the cams.

There are single cams where the needle just moves ffrom side to side while the fabric moves forward. And double cams where the needle moves from side to side while the feed dogs move the fabric forward and backwards to get a combination stitch. The trick is to get the Elnagraph to engage so the arm in it can "read" off the disc.

There are a couple of other knobs that you need to adjust to get the cam stitch though.

Star Series: (white machine with blue top) you need to put the stitch selector inside the elnagraph flap to "A" on the Star series and then stitch width to 4 and stitch length to the red A zone.

Air Electronic SU or Carina: you have 3 knobs from left to right - stitch selector (put it on 7) , stitch width (put it on 4, orange area) and stitch length (turn it around to the orange zone for the automatic stitches).

And on the early Supermatic the adjustments are a little different again.

And ALWAYS turn the stitch width and length dials back to zero, before you change the stitch selector, or pop out a cam.

I hope this helps you get your Elna stitching from the cam, there is a great Yahoo group called Elna Heirlooms too where there are lots of knowledgeable Elna owners and some files listing all the cam stitches.

Apr 10, 2011 • Elna Sewing Machines

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3answers

Have a 1970's elna su supermatic but cams don't work

There are two types of discs - single and double.
For the thinner single discs do as follows:
1.Turn stitch width knob to "0"
2. Turn stitch length knob to "0"
3. Insert the single disc
4. Turn the top selector to "A"
5. Make sure the needle selector is in the centered position.
6. You may now choose any stitch length or width you wish. I usually try "3" for the width and 1/2 for the length to start.

For the thicker double discs do as follows:

1.Turn stitch width knob to "0"
2. Turn stitch length knob to "0"
3. Insert the double disc
4. Turn the top selector to "A"
5. Make sure the needle selector is in the centered position.
6. You may now choose any stitch width.
7. The stitch length must be put on "A" - this is the difference between the single and double discs!
I hope this helps!

Mar 11, 2009 • Elna 1010

Question 2

Tally Girl

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Posted on Oct 19, 2017

Tally Girl

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Have you turned the stitch length and stitch width dials back to zero? this is important to disengage the "Feeler" arm which reads the Elnagraph where the disc is locked in. Turn stitch width to zero, stitch length to zero and make sure that the stitch selecter is on the "Disc" icon. Then press down ******* the metal centre button.

Answer 2 · 10/26/2008 12:00:00 AM

Anonymous

155 Answers
Posted on Oct 26, 2008

SOURCE: I need to thread an

Needle Faces Where?
I Need to Tighten the Tension....
Changing a Needle
Need Help
Basic Questions-
Bobbin Assembly Popped Out!
Do You Think My Machine is Fixable?
How to Change a Broken Needle
Needle Bar Adjustment
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Getting the Timing Belt Off?
What Size Needles for My Machine?
How to Oil my Machine?
Where to Oil??
Stitch Length Knob Woes
Can't Seem to Put the Bobbin in Correctly
Timing Belt Tension
Adjustments
Running Very Slow-
Oiling Points on Singer 257
Oiling My Singer Touch & Sew
Singer 457
Featherweight Case Odor
Brother XL2010 Q's
Does My Machine Have More Than One Belt?
Cannot Seem To Adjust the Tension
What to Do About a Gumming Up Needle
How Tighten My Bobbin Tension, Please
Is it Covered Under Warranty?
Proper Threading Instructions?
Just a Foot Pedal?
Simple Threading Instructions for a 1036
Threading a Singer 600
Replacing a Blade on a Johnson Ruffler
Changing the Needle
Lubricating a Singer 1036
Thread Balling Underneath
Warranty Info
Machine Covered in Hardened Oil
Spindle Stuck?
Do Motors Die?
Singer 457
Brother Sewing Machine
Servicing My Machine-
Belt Replacement
Lubricating My Sewing Machine
check out this thanks.

Anonymous

11 Answers
Posted on Oct 28, 2008

SOURCE: Elna walking foot

If your SU is an Air Electronic model i.e. 80's model, Elna didn't make a walking foot to fit. However, if you've got a walking foot that is the same height from sole plate to the screw fitting as a standard Elna foot then you could give it a try. The walking foot connects to the presser bar with a screw but the needle bar also needs to hook into a secondary lever on the side of the walking foot to make the foot actually move. Probably sounds very confusing . Check the movement of the foot manually by hand turning the fly wheel to see how it works before you actually use with the motor to minimise any problems if the foot doesn't fit.

Also you'll probably only be able to do straight stitch with this foot due to the clearance around the needle plate.

Anonymous

1 Answer
Posted on Dec 14, 2008

SOURCE: Elna SU

Check the brushes in the motor. My old Elna super did the same thing. We replaced the brushes and it has been working like a charm ever since. It's 40 years old and still going strong.

Anonymous

1 Answer
Posted on Apr 09, 2009

SOURCE: have a 1970's elna su supermatic but cams don't work

There are two types of discs - single and double.
For the thinner single discs do as follows:
1.Turn stitch width knob to "0"
2. Turn stitch length knob to "0"
3. Insert the single disc
4. Turn the top selector to "A"
5. Make sure the needle selector is in the centered position.
6. You may now choose any stitch length or width you wish. I usually try "3" for the width and 1/2 for the length to start.

For the thicker double discs do as follows:

1.Turn stitch width knob to "0"
2. Turn stitch length knob to "0"
3. Insert the double disc
4. Turn the top selector to "A"
5. Make sure the needle selector is in the centered position.
6. You may now choose any stitch width.
7. The stitch length must be put on "A" - this is the difference between the single and double discs!
I hope this helps!

Anonymous

1 Answer
Posted on Jul 20, 2009

SOURCE: my elna SU air electronic model 68 is not working

I have a Elna air electronic No 69 I am having trouble with the tension . How can I fix this.

Answer 3 · 10/26/2008 12:00:00 AM

Anonymous

155 Answers
Posted on Oct 26, 2008

SOURCE: I need to thread an

Needle Faces Where?
I Need to Tighten the Tension....
Changing a Needle
Need Help
Basic Questions-
Bobbin Assembly Popped Out!
Do You Think My Machine is Fixable?
How to Change a Broken Needle
Needle Bar Adjustment
Oiling an Elna 3007
Getting the Timing Belt Off?
What Size Needles for My Machine?
How to Oil my Machine?
Where to Oil??
Stitch Length Knob Woes
Can't Seem to Put the Bobbin in Correctly
Timing Belt Tension
Adjustments
Running Very Slow-
Oiling Points on Singer 257
Oiling My Singer Touch & Sew
Singer 457
Featherweight Case Odor
Brother XL2010 Q's
Does My Machine Have More Than One Belt?
Cannot Seem To Adjust the Tension
What to Do About a Gumming Up Needle
How Tighten My Bobbin Tension, Please
Is it Covered Under Warranty?
Proper Threading Instructions?
Just a Foot Pedal?
Simple Threading Instructions for a 1036
Threading a Singer 600
Replacing a Blade on a Johnson Ruffler
Changing the Needle
Lubricating a Singer 1036
Thread Balling Underneath
Warranty Info
Machine Covered in Hardened Oil
Spindle Stuck?
Do Motors Die?
Singer 457
Brother Sewing Machine
Servicing My Machine-
Belt Replacement
Lubricating My Sewing Machine
check out this thanks.

Answer 4 · 10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM

Anonymous

11 Answers
Posted on Oct 28, 2008

SOURCE: Elna walking foot

If your SU is an Air Electronic model i.e. 80's model, Elna didn't make a walking foot to fit. However, if you've got a walking foot that is the same height from sole plate to the screw fitting as a standard Elna foot then you could give it a try. The walking foot connects to the presser bar with a screw but the needle bar also needs to hook into a secondary lever on the side of the walking foot to make the foot actually move. Probably sounds very confusing . Check the movement of the foot manually by hand turning the fly wheel to see how it works before you actually use with the motor to minimise any problems if the foot doesn't fit.

Also you'll probably only be able to do straight stitch with this foot due to the clearance around the needle plate.

Answer 5 · 12/14/2008 12:00:00 AM

Anonymous

1 Answer
Posted on Dec 14, 2008

SOURCE: Elna SU

Check the brushes in the motor. My old Elna super did the same thing. We replaced the brushes and it has been working like a charm ever since. It's 40 years old and still going strong.

Answer 6 · 4/9/2009 12:00:00 AM

Anonymous

1 Answer
Posted on Apr 09, 2009

SOURCE: have a 1970's elna su supermatic but cams don't work

There are two types of discs - single and double.
For the thinner single discs do as follows:
1.Turn stitch width knob to "0"
2. Turn stitch length knob to "0"
3. Insert the single disc
4. Turn the top selector to "A"
5. Make sure the needle selector is in the centered position.
6. You may now choose any stitch length or width you wish. I usually try "3" for the width and 1/2 for the length to start.

For the thicker double discs do as follows:

1.Turn stitch width knob to "0"
2. Turn stitch length knob to "0"
3. Insert the double disc
4. Turn the top selector to "A"
5. Make sure the needle selector is in the centered position.
6. You may now choose any stitch width.
7. The stitch length must be put on "A" - this is the difference between the single and double discs!
I hope this helps!

Answer 7 · 7/20/2009 12:00:00 AM

Anonymous

1 Answer
Posted on Jul 20, 2009

SOURCE: my elna SU air electronic model 68 is not working

I have a Elna air electronic No 69 I am having trouble with the tension . How can I fix this.

Related Topics:

My Elna SU air has a cam stuck in the top. I have put oil on top and let it sit for hours but when I push down on the center post the cam will not pop up. What else can I do?

1 Answer

Tally Girl

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

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Related Questions:

How to put back the parts 401161, 401170 and 401140 of a Elna Air Electronic SU bobbin?

Elna SU Air Electronic 68 won't change needle positions. It was my MIL's machine. Is it worth the $200-300 cost for repair?

Elna su globe change how to?

How to remove a can from an elna Carina . Its stuck and can't remove it. My grandma gave it to me . She hasn't used it in years

The cam seems to be locked up and won't release. I have the settings where the manual says to, but the button does not go down to release the cam.

I have a Elna SU - new in the mid-70's and recently took it to an auth. repair place. The needle position wheel is very stiff - almost impossible to move. It is used mainly in conjunction w/the...

How do you change the light?

My elna has cams to upgrade the number of stitches it can do but I am unable to get them to work. I believe I have installed them correctly but cannot activate them.

Have a 1970's elna su supermatic but cams don't work

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My Elna SU air has a cam stuck in the top. I have put oil on top and let it sit for hours but when I push down on the center post the cam will not pop up. What else can I do?

1 Answer

Tally Girl

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

Anonymous

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Anonymous

Add Your Answer

Attachments: Added items

Related Questions:

How to put back the parts 401161, 401170 and 401140 of a Elna Air Electronic SU bobbin?

Elna SU Air Electronic 68 won't change needle positions. It was my MIL's machine. Is it worth the $200-300 cost for repair?

Elna su globe change how to?

How to remove a can from an elna Carina . Its stuck and can't remove it. My grandma gave it to me . She hasn't used it in years

The cam seems to be locked up and won't release. I have the settings where the manual says to, but the button does not go down to release the cam.

I have a Elna SU - new in the mid-70's and recently took it to an auth. repair place. The needle position wheel is very stiff - almost impossible to move. It is used mainly in conjunction w/the...

How do you change the light?

My elna has cams to upgrade the number of stitches it can do but I am unable to get them to work. I believe I have installed them correctly but cannot activate them.

Have a 1970's elna su supermatic but cams don't work

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How to put back the parts 401161, 401170 and 401140 of a Elna Air Electronic SU bobbin?

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