Reverse stitch lever not "activating" the feed dogs to go in reverse

f Fabric Is Not Feeding Properly

If the machine is not feeding fabric when you start sewing, it could be that the presser foot lifter has not been lowered before stepping on the foot controller. Lower the presser foot and resume sewing.
Another reason the machine may not be feeding fabric is that the feed dogs (or feed teeth) are disengaged, so make sure that they are properly engaged for sewing. (Note: If your machine has drop feed, resume normal sewing by moving the drop feed lever to regular sewing mode, then turn the hand wheel toward you one full revolution to re-engage the feed dogs).
The machine may also not feed fabric if the stitch length control is set to "0". Increase the stitch length setting and resume sewing. Reference - Singer .com. Troubleshooting tips.

Could it be that the feed dog mechanism has not been oiled for a long time? I have a 930 and perform frequent all-over oiling including the feed dog mechanism (all-over refers to a couple drops of good quality sewing machine oil every place where metal rubs on metal). To get them working faster, try directing hot air from hairdryer into the internal mechanics to loosen things.

How can get the reverse lever to work Sewing Machines

It was working now it seems to be frozen the needle part wont move

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Without fabric in your machine and with the presser foot raised, do the feed dogs move front->back? Are the feed dogs in the raised position? Is the stitch length at a 10-12 stitch per inch setting so that the fabric actually moves (try increasing the stitch length to see if it makes a difference)?

Does your machine have a presser foot pressure adjustment? If you are sewing light weight fabric, the pressure may need to increased so there is more pressure applied by the presser foot to the feed dogs. You can also try adding a strip of tear-away or wash-away stabilizer to the underside of the fabric as you stitch so the feed dogs have something to grip.

Are the tips of the feed dogs rounded? Could be worn and need replacement.

If the feed dogs are not moving, how long has it been since the machine was cleaned and oiled?

It was working now it seems to be frozen the needle part wont move

If the feed dogs remain below the needle plate, and the feed dog lever does not activate them, then perhaps something is disconnected in the feed dog mechanism. The feed dogs should rise when stitching begins.

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check where the direction button/lever is
it controls the feed mechanism and if it is in the middle the teeth will just go up and down
set it one way and it moves forward and set the other way will go in reverse
it is graduated to provide a stitch length ( number of stitches per 1")

check the feed dogs in the needle plate area to see if their in the up position, if their not find the feed dogs lever & see if it's in the up position, if it's not the the feed dogs need to be checked at a sewing machine shop

There is no reverse button, it is a lever.The stitch length lever also reverses the feed dogs - when down, it runs forward - at zero, it does not feed at all and when moved up, it reverses the machine. Set your stitch length by loosening the thumbscrew on the vertically moving lever and sliding the plate into position while moving the lever up to the desired mark. Tighten the screw and move the lever down to sew - to reverse just move the lever up until it hits the stop to sew the same stitch length in reverse.

I surfed around this site for various suggestions, finally took the bottom plate off and cleaned and oiled all the parts along that rod that goes right across (think it's a drive bar that rotates). Ran the machine without thread in for a few minutes to let the oil soak in. Machine now works fine.

Check to see what pattern is selected. Be sure it isn't the buttonhole.Select straight stitch.Move the stitch length setting to 4.Turn the handwheel and see if the feed dogs move forward. Press the reverse lever and see if they move backwards. Select straight stretch stitch and turn the wheel to see if the feed dogs move forward and backward.Check the presser foot release on top of the machine and make sure there is pressure on the foot.
Sometimes the reverse assembly on this machine stops working because it has the wrong type of grease on it and it turns into a hard gummy mess that won't let it work.
sewman7

here is a download for your manual

http://safemanuals.com/user-guide-instructions-owner-manual/SINGER/3116-_M

pg 32 talks about sewing in reverse sewing.
but doesn't give much on trouble shooting other than hold the lever while sewing. If that's not the case, then I think your feed dogs are the issue. check your feed dog drop. pg 9 part 12

If you think the reverse lever is sloppy, professional action should be taken, (take it in to be repaired under warranty?)

I hope this was helpful.