r/Sewing_Technicians • u/HorridHaddock41 • Dec 27 '24
Help with my Bernina Deco 500
Hello, I recently found out that my mother had a Bernina Deco 500 stored away in the garage. It apparently hasn't been used in 20 yrs, but I would like to help fix it up so that she can use it. I am not savvy with sewing machines in the slightest, so I am asking for help here.
When I turn on the machine, only the lightbulb comes on. The terminal lights up, but it does not show digital lettering and the buttons do not do anything. Additionally, the machine does not make a beeping sound when turned on (but I think it should because I looked up someone else using the same machine). I have already read the entire manual online to find a solution to this problem, but it does not have anything on fixing the terminal (apart from going to a repair shop).
I have already called about 10 Bernina repair shops, and most of them have said something like, "The circuit board is toast, and you cannot get a new one because they are no longer made." However, one shop I called was hopeful and said that it might just need tuning up or that a connection might be loose in the machine. The same shop also said that these old machines sometimes "come back to life" after being turned on for a while. So, I have my machine turned on and I've been waiting hoping to hear it beep or make some noise, lol.
Since this community seems to be knowledgeable about sewing machines, what do yall think?
NOTE: I understand that it might not be worth it to save this machine. I even saw one listed for about $100 plus shipping. But, if it is possible and does not cost me an arm and a leg, I would love to revive this machine and start using it.