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Sharon Posted on Apr 11, 2012
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Bernina artista 180 screen freezes up

What causes the screen to freeze up? Try to change stitches or even change the settings and it freezes it wont to anything. What do i need to do to fix this problem?

2 Answers

Debbi's Sewing Machine Repair

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  • Bernina Master 7,365 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 12, 2012
Debbi's Sewing Machine Repair
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Since the machine is freezing up it needs to be checked to see if it's
a computer problem or mechanical

Rick Beament

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  • Bernina Expert 166 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 28, 2012
Rick Beament
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I have come across a few 180/185 machines that have shown this problem - unfortunately it appears to be a quality problem with the main 'S'-print processor board which is a very expensive part. On two of the machines I had, I found that there were dry-joints on memory chips that, once resoldered, cured the problem, but this is not a job to be undertaken lightly and is beyond the scope of most sewing machine engineers, since it requires accuracy of work under one-tenth of a millimetre !. Check if it happens more when the machine is warm/hot and if-so, I'm afraid this is likely to be the problem and will need a pukka Bernina agent to solve it.

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5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Apr 15, 2009

SOURCE: I need to know how

If you hold down the clear (clr) & then turn machine on keeping clr in, you'll find in low right hand corner a box with hours in it.

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A

Anonymous

  • Posted on May 14, 2008

SOURCE: Bernina 200 e freezing

I took my artista 200e to my local bernina dealer and my machine needed to be upgraded - it hadn't had a software upgrade since new. I got it back today ad it's now working fine

RickE1

Rick

  • 202 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 20, 2008

SOURCE: Bernina Artista 180 won't power on

There is a fuse inside but the fact that it even lights up shows the fuse is ok. I really think you are looking at a new L- print (circuitboard). Whatever the issue it is an electronic problem. So it certainly sounds like you will need to take it to a Bernina tech. Possibly there is still a warranty or else it will not be inexpensive.
I am a Bernina tech.
Rick

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on May 22, 2009

SOURCE: Bernina 180 Artista sewing machine

you may have to replace the upper thread sensor

bargainbox

Hassy

  • 1388 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 23, 2009

SOURCE: tension on my artista 200 bernina machine

Please TRY the solution BEFORE giving your considered rating.
Specific detail on bobbin case adjustment (with picture) near halfway down reply, the remainder will help you achieve a balance of top and bottom tensions.

Ensure that all is clean and free of lint and jams, this is the most likely cause....now for tension troubleshooting .......

This solution is for tension problems...if you cannot form any sort of stitch, the issue is quite different, so please let me know if you need a different problem solved.....

It is quite long, but just work through each section in order.

The "knotting up" can reveal a lot. If you have loose threads on one side or the other, the tension on the opposite side will be the culprit.

QUICK SUMMARY FIRST:
Ensure sharp new needle,
Thread guides and Bobbin are Clean & Clear of lint
Set Top Tesion to 4 ....then....
Balance Bobbin to suit.

TOP THREAD TENSION:
If the looping threads are on the underside as you sew, it is the top tension. Top tension ought to be between 4 & 6 (this variation to allow for the different weights of fabric in your projects).

IS YOUR NEEDLE SHARP ?
If you are using a needle that has seen quite a deal of work, or you suspect it may be blunt, change it for a new one !

TOP TENSION & GUIDES:
Make sure that when you thread the machine the presser foot is up so the thread goes between the discs and not to one side, top tension between 4 and 6, and that you have threaded through all the guides, including the last one, usually on the needle arm, just above the needle clamp.

It may be there is lint trapped between the discs, this will keep them slightly apart and reduce the actual tension, sometimes dramatically.

If tensions appear correct, and the thread is definitely in the channel between the discs, but still too loose and looping, try raising presser foot and remove your thread.

Now, with a 2" (50mm) wide strip piece of fabric 8 - 10" (20 - 25cm) moistened with methylated or denatured spirit, gently insert the fabric strip and clean between the discs with a see saw / to and fro action.

In the worst cases, gentle use of a needle to pick & remove the jam may be necessary, but be very gentle and make sure the tension is set at Zero and the presser foot is raised, (to disengage tension plates).... do not gouge or score the plates, they need a polished surface to work correctly.

BOBBIN TENSION:
Far less common, but if the loose threads are on the top, it is bobbin tension that is loose, it too may have lint in the spring and be giving a "false" tension.

I would not recommend fiddling with bobbin tension without good reason, it may end up with missing small screws and spring pieces, however, you can take the needle plate off to clean
the hook race area (where bobbin case sits)

...this is just good housekeeping, my wife does this every time she replaces the bobbin....

just take it out and clean the bobbin case and the fixed metal hook race with a small brush to remove lint. If there is a significant amount of lint, use a vacuum and small brush to get the worst.

Then wipe all this area with a cloth or cotton bud (Q tip) moistened (not soaked) with methylated spirit, especially if there appears to be fine dirty deposits....oil and lint combine to conspire against you.

If it seems likely that you ......really ....do .....actually .....need .....to adjust the bobbin case, first check there is no lint trapped in the metal spring where the thread is tensioned.

TOP LOADER:
Drop-in Bobbin case will look similar to this image with the tension screw in the middle of the metalwork....

4c76dc1.jpg ...the other screw at one end is holding it all together, so beware....it is not a tragedy to undo the whole lot and clean it, but very gingerly and lay the bits out in sequence and orientation, or you risk tearing your hair out !

FRONT LOADER:
....this is a bobbin case from a front loading machine and works in a very similar fashion to the top loader with drop in bobbin, again, if you dismantle it, take care so you can put it all
back properly.
165ca5c.jpg FINISHING UP
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT:
When you are certain there's no trapped lint in top tension or bobbin, set the top tension to 4 and the bobbin tension to a point where you just begin to feel resistance.

Try using good quality thread of contrasting colours so you can more easily spot the changes.

Set your zigzag to one width less than maximum (eg. 5 of 6 ...or... 4 of 5 etc) and sew a sample for a few inches and check the result.... adjust the bobbin tension screw very little at
a time, perhaps 1/16 of a turn.

You may find you are playing with this balance for some little while and if you are putting the needleplate on and off each time begin to think it cannot be correct to do this.....BUT....it is,
and eventually, you do get a "feel" for the correct tension and then it happens quite quickly.....as a user you won't be doing it very often unless there is lint built up (or are there small hands at work around the house !?!?!)

OTHER ISSUES:
If you live near the ocean as we do, salt air can play havoc with metalwork inside and out, so to help minimise this, keep a few small packets of dessicant (silica gel) in your machine
case....no case ? then make some sort of cover !

Same applies in any damp or humid environment, keep your machine dry and dust free.

Budget for a proper full service every couple of years (more often if heavily used) and if you don't use your machine for a few years, be aware that old oil will dry out and combining with
dust and form a "clag" like glue (another reason for some sort of cover, even a teatowel !)

FINALLY, A WORD ON THREAD:
If it is worth spending the time, energy and money on making something that you would like to give lasting enjoyment......use quality thread, .......it may seem to cost a little more at the
time, but the results, ease of use and added longevity will be worth the extra, and as a bonus, your tension troubles may be fewer and further between, because there is a more consistent diameter with good thread, and less compensating to be done by your tension plates and less thread breaks

bargainbox.com.au

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Bottom stitching is loose

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here is 2 link for a manual
http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/instruction-manual-bernina-artista-170-and-180.aspx

http://www.sewingpartsonline.com/manuals/Bernina/170,%20180%20(Artista).pdf
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Need to change stitch density

Hi Debbie,
I found the command for this change in the Features menu called "Balance" and it has a "b" symbol. In the ARtista 185 instruction manual this appears on page 30 so probably around there in your manual too.
Manual says
"Balance - touch symbol to open balance screen, correct forwards and reverse stitches, correct sideways motion stitches.
If you dont' have a manual you might want to download the 185 from the Bernina website, the link is http://bernina-globalsite.webtuning-cdn.ch/webautor-data/887/0308665104_0401_a185_EN.pdf

Hope this helps you to resolve your issue.
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Bernina 200 e freezing

Ask them to replace the I/O print and make sure its upgraded to the latest firmware, also have them check or replace the motor depending on when you bought your machine these could be under warranty.
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I took my artista 200e to my local bernina dealer and my machine needed to be upgraded - it hadn't had a software upgrade since new. I got it back today ad it's now working fine
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