20 Most Recent Singer 3116 Simple Questions & Answers

here is some troubleshooting
Download your manual.
manual
http://safemanuals.com/user-guide-instructions-owner-manual/SINGER/3116-_M

Ok I know that youve checked this, but I have to ask.
Pg 39
Check and make sure the reverse lever isnt engaged.

I'm looking at pg 27 and see you have a traditional bobbin casing (not a drop in) make sure your bobbin is wound well and the case is inserted correctly. (they are picky)
Change your needle make sure its in right and tight. (I have bent many a needle just slightly, and it causes huge issues with this particular type of bobbin casing)
Pg 35 gives a test for the bobbin tension. If your thread rolls, the tension is too loose, OR the case may have gotten damaged.

Lets see if this helped.
Good luck

Hold the plastic part and slide it out to the left (wiggling it a little may help).

You may have incorrect tension in the top needle and the wrong size needle or thread for the material you are sewing. You could have an old blunt needle too. Or old thread. Or the thread in the top does not match the bobbin thread. Hope this helps:-)

Generally, there is a separate cover over the thread path, and it's designed to be removed by the user for cleaning, removing thread ends and jams. It's held by one or two screws; if it's one screw, it's in the back of the cover. If it's two, one is in the side, and it's usually covered by a white disk for cosmetic purposes. In that case, push a flat-blade screwdriver on the edge and the other edge will pop out enough for you to grab and remove it. Replacing the disk is not mandatory for the machine to run--it's just for looks. Word to the wise--keep adhesive tape next to you when you do these things, and tape the screws back in or next to their holes when you remove them.

One thing most people forget to mention is that the hand wheel may become loose and therefore thats what the take up leaver is stuck

If it's an older mechanical machine (not computerized), it has probably seized due to old oil that has dried inside the machine. AVOID trying to run the motor until the mechanics free up and run smoothly. Running it could damage the motor. Wheel on right side that controls the needle up and down is very tight...

According to this manual (pg 52): http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/user-manuals/3116-SINGER-SEWING%20MACHINE-manual the zipper foot position is adjustable, not the needle position.

Knowing which kind of machine you have helps alot. Just guessing but maybe the reverse mechanism is stuck and needs some oil in it to free it up. Or the buttonhole mechanism is stuck in reverse part of it.
Probably you should have it looked at.

this is really heavy thread for your machine, but you should be able to set the tension very loose.

The guy is right, dust kills the moving parts. try oiling the shaft that holds the needle up about 1/2 way and then run on straight stitch with no thread to work in oil, do this several times till you feel that it runs smoothly and you have a little movement side to side as this is necessary for your zig-zag. if that does not work it may be a cam or belt in the top part that needs replacing and you will need the repair to tell you that. I asked them to give me a quote before any work was done so I knew what I was up against. I love my machine so it was worth the 200.00 to get the parts replaced. It will sew anything cause it is a older model with metal rather than plastic parts. hope this helps good luck

Try installing a brand new needle. Generally, the factory tension setting is the midway point on the dial (however, that will need to be tweaked due to age and wear on the machine).

if the motor is running and neither the needle or the hook are moving, then your motor belt has come off(the motor will sound like it is racing). If the needle is moving, but the hook is not, you may have a broken gear, or timing belt.

The sewing machine was first made in December 2005 I would believe as in the manual always has the date the manual was made at the bottom to go along with the machine. http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/user-manuals/3116-SINGER-SEWING%20MACHINE-manual

If the machine work fine on any thickness of fabric then don't have to. Good luck Mai

What happens if you PUT it in reverse -- does it sew forward?

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when a sewing machine is sewing in place that mean the feed dogs are not up,, if the are up & it's still sewing in place then there is something wrong with the feed dogs & they need to be checked.

if the machine is turning it will sew what may be your problem is that the sewing direction is in the reverse stitch position if that is not the case , take it in to a sewing machine repair shop for a proper diagnosis

change the needle to see if that will take care of the problemif it doens't then the machine needs to be checked at a sewing machine shop about the timing