Repair Bernina or buy something else?

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10-12-2017, 05:56 AM

#21

cashs_mom

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Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: Houston, TX

Posts: 9,608

Quote:

Originally Posted by sJens

I must be the only one that would get it repaired. I have 2 a 200EQ and a 450EQ have never had a problem with either one and they are 12 years old. I think the Bernina is made to last.

You're not the only one. I've had 2 Berninas and, as I stated, not a problem with either one, but would definitely pay to repair them.

10-12-2017, 06:56 AM

#22

mojo11

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Join Date: Jan 2007

Location: western arkansas

Posts: 2,077

Quote:

Originally Posted by susiecute

I had a bernina 1230 - lasted 27 years until this past spring the circuit board went up. the bernina repairman said he MIGHT be able to get a new board - but it would also go up until they isolated the reason it didn't work - he felt it would be too much money for an old machine. i decided to do without and bought a couple of cheapies at local garage sales. they were cheap and not my bernina. i ended up getting another bernina - 530 i think it is. love it. i sewed thousands of dollars worth of doll clothes on that bernina every year i had it. i bought another. they are expensive - but in my experience - well worth it.

My 1230 is still going strong.

10-12-2017, 09:12 AM

#23

Lyncat

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Join Date: May 2010

Location: Sun City West, AZ

Posts: 1,266

Can you take it to the shop and try using it with a different foot pedal?

10-12-2017, 09:31 AM

#24

cashs_mom

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: Houston, TX

Posts: 9,608

Quote:

Originally Posted by susiecute

I agree with that. I've sewn on some of the cheaper machines at classes or demos. They were okay but not my Bernina. If mine couldn't be fixed, I'd be looking either for a new one or a refurbished older one. I love my Bernina.

Last edited by cashs_mom; 10-12-2017 at 09:36 AM.

10-12-2017, 09:44 AM

#25

tlpa

Super Member

Join Date: Sep 2009

Location: Lost in my sewing room

Posts: 1,442

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkc

Annette,

What's your experience with the 180E's and boards? I have one that refused to power on several years ago - just a little backlight on the LCD screen but otherwise nothing. It was a low-hour machine (I'm the original owner) and hadn't been used in a few years. The local dealer said $1000 minimum to repair and they'd have to send my machine's actual board(s) themselves to be repaired and only 1 year warranty once done so I opted for a different brand replacement at the time.

Thanks,

Michelle

I had a Bernina 170, bought it used and had to replace the motherboard when I got it....I used it around 48 hours on the new board and it went out on me again...The repair man said he couldn't get a replacement part for it. I love that machine, but after the newer board went out I switched brands.

10-12-2017, 03:41 PM

#26

peaceandjoy

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2008

Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY

Posts: 3,492

Quote:

Originally Posted by SusieQOH

I've had my Bernina 153 QE for 16 years and it runs like the day I bought it.
I hope you can resolve it. Berninas are made to last.

Me, too! Well, 15 years... When the new machines come out, I ogle them a bit, but I really don't need one at all! Love my 153 QE, don't need or want embroidery, so I stick with what I've got.

10-12-2017, 08:01 PM

#27

LILLIAN47

Member

Join Date: Jan 2016

Location: Texas

Posts: 11

As expensive as the Berninas are, I would expect them to last much longer than 9 years. I have a Bernina 440 that is nearly 14 years old = never had a problem and I saw ALL the time.

10-13-2017, 04:18 PM

#28

mkc

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2013

Posts: 964

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltedsunshine

I haven't seen a 180e with a bad circuit board, in the 8 years I've been servicing machines. But it does happen if the machine isn't used regularly. I've had a couple machines that will power up if left on for 24 hours.

Thanks Annette - I will try that with mine. If something like that helps, it could indicate there's an on-board battery (possibly for the bios) that has gone dead (in a former life I was an electrical engineer in the computer industry). Back when the machine died I scoured the web for info and mine was not an isolated case of that model having a circuit board failure.

Michelle

10-14-2017, 12:55 PM

#29

LRM

Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Oct 2017

Posts: 29

Thanks everyone for the answers and discussion! My Bernina is at the shop now - expecting a call next week about what the issue is. Hoping it's just the foot pedal!