I have an old elna super that I love. It recently started sewing on it's own without my pressing the foot pedal. Is the motor going or is it a cord/footpedal problem?

If you had it serviced and still having a problem, take it back to the technician.

I'm just wondering if the machine has been checked, cleaned and oiled by a technician recently. These old mechanical machines usually need regular oiling to keep going. Not sure if that is the problem, but sometimes mechanical machines have parts that lock up over time.


Best Thrifting Ever

This will be the bellows inside the side panel of the machine where your foot pedal air line feeds into rather than the foot pedal. Really short of cutting or sitting on the air line with your chair, not much goes wrong there. It,should be repairable if you can locate a Swiss Elna trained/experienced techician.

Take a look at the side plate on your Elna and look for a two digit code, this is the model number.

I'm assuming that you are in the USA on 110 Voltage. If so visit this website,
http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/elna-sewing-machine-parts-model-list.aspx and choose your model. They sell replacement foot pedals, just check the profile of the plug that goes into your machine.

The other option is contact the Elna guru, www.whitesewingcenter.com, he stocks a wide range of swiss Elna parts and may have the original foot control second hand.

If you are on 240 voltage then you'll need to source it from a country that has the same voltage like UK, Australia or NZ.

Lastly, you may wish to join the Yahoo group called "ELna Heirlooms" this user group of Elna owners is really helpful and shares lots of their love and knowledge for these beautifully made Swiss machines. Many of them have even earlier models than yours such as the Green Grasshopper, the first Elna machine.

there is a clutch operated by foot pedal. if the clutch is continuously engaged then it will run own its own. so adjust clutch lever.

this sounds like the internal clutch drive is worn, it probably is not the foot pedal at all. It may be possible to repair it if you can track down an Elna serviceman. My Air Electronic SU got worn internally and my serviceman was able to repair it once for me.

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.

Um, sounds like the machine has seized from old, dry oil and it is dragging down the motor. Avoid using the machine until the issue is resolved so the motor is not damaged.

Depends what kind of oil & grease your husband used, as it could have complicated matters. Also, if the machine has been neglected for a long time, combining heat in the clean-up/lube process is sometimes very helpful. (Can't tell you the machines I've picked up that have had motor oil and grease applied!!! The old gunk needs to be cleaned out and then the appropriate lube applied.) Most machines do not use grease unless it is white lithium grease--perhaps on cams. Oil needs to be fresh, good quality sewing machine oil. I prefer liquid Tri-Flow Synthetic Lube from the hardware store. Do NOT use WD-40, 3-in-1, cooking oil, motor oil, etc. on your machine!

Wheel on right side that controls the needle up and down is very tight...

Most likely this is a problem in the foot control and it will need to be replaced or repaired.
sewman7