I have a Kenmore model 17920 that is running very sluggish & makes a slight grinding sound for a few minutes when I first start it up after a five to ten minutes it then seems to kick in & run smoothly again like normal. The electric buttons on the front won't work either.

You need to clean both parts of the sliding contacts before you oil. Just using oil doesn't work. Did he use Water Displacement Formula 40 (WD40)? It tends to get used for everything. Good for cleaning, though, and then sewing machine oil to lubricate.

Maybe it needs to be serviced and oiled.

Unable to assist without a make & model.

...

This should be most of the Kenmore sewing machine manuals.
010
1020
1030
1040
1045
1050
1206
1230
1232
1240
1250
1300
1357
1430
1431
15/I649
15243
15343
15358
1625
1641
1660
17920
17921
17922
1940
1941
1947
19501
19502
200
38
385.17622
385.19000
385.101118
385.115518
385.11607
385.11703
385.12614
385.15202
385.15208
385.15243
385.15343
385.15358
385.15408
385.15512
385.15516
385.160201
385.16120200
385.162213
385.166551
385.16677
385.16765
385.19005
385.19365
519
ELITE
14
1500
15218
15616
15718
1600
1650
1651
1652
1654
1750
1791
18
385
385.17620
385.17624
385.17630
385.1 521 2
385.115418
385.12314
385.151082
385.15358
385.161302
385.19005
68
95
96
SWA/RS 10101
SWA/RS 11101
SWA/RS 12551
SWA/RS 12621
SWA/RS 14401
SWA/RS 14501
SWA/RS 14502
SWA/RS 14571
SWA/RS 14572

it would be a good idea to have a sewing machine technican
check the machine to see why it sluggish

that is a fifty fifty chance you have to take. It may be something minor rubbing or you could have a slightly bent shaft underneath making noise

easy fix... same thing happened to me. take the back part off by the on and off switch and you'll see the loose belt. loosen the single screw next to the smallest pully and adjust tension.

adjust the stitch width to "0". If it still needs adjusting, somehting is sticking in the pattern mechanism

It sounds as if your machine needs a little oiling. If you have a clear machine oil (not 3 in 1). place a drop in the bobbin case area and if you will notice, you will see small holes on the bed and on the top of the machine. place a drop of oil into each of these holes. If you can take the top and bottom covers off, you can put a drop of oil every where you see a hole..some of the machines actually have the oil holes painted a red color. Also place a drop at the handwheel as well. Just remember when oiling, less is better. After oiling, run for a few minutes, if you feel it still needs a litte more, do the same, one drop at a time. After this, if you machine sets for a while, oil just before starting to sew, that way when you put the machine away the oil has been worked through and it should help prevent the squeaking when starting up again.

My Kenmore 19606 sometimes gives me that error message when I am holding my fabric taut (on either side of the foot) and I accidentally exert pressure on the needle (that is, tug forward or back on the fabric pulling at the needle)... I found that when it gives me that message and then pauses for a while, cranking a few stitches by hand seems to "recalibrate" it if you will, and bring it back to normal operation sooner... If you're not a tugger like me... =op =o) Maybe the needle needs replaced? It might be slightly bent, or not screwed in properly..?? Don't know if that helps! Good luck!