Have lost the function of the foot lever - PfaFF Sewing Machines

To replace the presser foot lever on an Elna 9000 Computer model sewing machine, follow these steps:

1. Raise the presser foot by turning the handwheel towards you until the needle is in its highest position.
2. Release the presser foot lever by pressing the button on the back of the presser foot lever and sliding the lever to the left.
3. Remove the old presser foot lever by sliding it off the presser bar.
4. Align the new presser foot lever with the presser bar and slide it into place.
5. Secure the presser foot lever by pressing the button on the back of the lever and sliding it to the right.
6. Lower the presser foot by turning the handwheel away from you until the needle is in its lowest position.
7. Test the presser foot lever to make sure it is functioning properly.

If you are having difficulty replacing the presser foot lever or if the machine is not functioning properly after the replacement, it is recommended that you consult the user manual or contact Elna customer service for assistance.

Does the presser foot lift up when you use the lever? Can you open the face cover plate and see the presser foot lever to see if it is connected and functional or has it become disconnected?

you should a buttonhole button that must be pushed on the machine
either before you pull the buttonhole lever down or after to let the
sewing machine know what function to use, my sewing machine
won't let me make a buttonhole unless I push the buttonhole button
or yes, like you said the buttonhole foot could be damaged.

Brother Computer Codes

• E1: Make sure the presser foot is lowered before sewing.
  E2: You chose a stitch other than a buttonhole stitch or a bar tack stitch and you tried to sew with the buttonhole lever in the lowered position. Raise the buttonhole lever.
  E3: If you selected the buttonhole or tack bar stitch and start to sew with the buttonhole lever raised, you will get the E3 code. Lower the buttonhole lever.
  E4: You hit the reverse button while the bobbin winder shaft was moved over to the right. Move the bobbin winder shaft to the left.
  E5: On automatic sewing machines, the start/stop button was pressed while the foot controller was plugged in. Unplug the foot controller if you are using the automatic function.
  E6: This code tells you that the motor locked up because the thread is tangled. Untangle the thread, make sure the machine is threaded properly and that the proper tension is set before continuing.
  

the buttonhole foot snaps on to the presser bar, there's a little lever at the back of the presser bar that releases the foot, then put the buttonhole foot down on the needle plate & use the presser foot lifter (number 11) to lower the presser bar down onto the buttonhole foot & you'll hear a click sound when it snaps on & make sure to use the buttonhole lever(number 31) because the machine won't sew a buttonhole unless that lever is pulled down.

It is an issue more to due with regular maintenance than replacement part....have it serviced and cleaned properly.

What is the brand and model of your machine?

The problem could be caused by a couple of issues. It is either with the switch that is located above the foot, that tells the circuit board when the foot is up or down, or with the circuit board itself. It could also be the lever you lift the foot up and down with. Inside the machine that lever has a plastic "fin" on it that touches the switch. It is possible that the lever is broken. Either way, you need to take it in for service.

1. Step 1 To prepare the fabric for a centered zipper application, use the standard presser foot to baste the opening of the fabric shut using 5/8 inch seam allowance. Press the seam allowance open. Place the zipper teeth side down on the seam allowance and pin the zipper to the seam allowance only.
   
2. Step 2 Release the standard presser foot from your machine. There may be a button or lever behind the foot that you need to press. Put the standard foot in its holder or someplace where it won’t get lost.
   
3. Step 3 Decide which side of the machine you want to attach the zipper foot to. Zipper feet are asymmetrical, with one side that’s wider than the other. You’ll want to put the narrow side toward the zipper teeth, and the wider side away from the zipper teeth.
   
4. Step 4 Attach the zipper foot to the sewing machine. You may need to line up the bar on the zipper foot with the presser foot holder, then lower the presser foot by lowering the lever. Raise the presser foot and make sure the zipper foot is securely attached.
   
5. Step 5 Place the prepared fabric with the pinned zipper in the sewing machine. Lower the needle into the zipper tape and the seam allowance only, then lower the zipper foot. Stitch the zipper tape to the seam allowance. To sew the other side of the zipper to the seam allowance, remove the zipper foot from the sewing machine and install it on the other side of the presser foot holder.
   
6. Step 6 Topstitch the outside of the fabric to each side of the zipper tape, making sure that the zipper foot is on the appropriate side of the machine for each side. Remove the basting with a seam ripper.
   

I think #39 on this link is the presser foot lever.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getSubComp.pd?modelNumber=3851249180&productCategoryId=1220000&brandId=0582&modelName=SEWING-MACHINE-HEAD&diagramPageId=00004&componentDescription=PRESSER%20BAR%20ASSEMBLY&documentId=00032216&backToLink=Return%20to%20Sub%20Components%20list

#13 on this link is the instruction manual.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/getSubComp.pd?modelNumber=3851249180&productCategoryId=1220000&brandId=0582&modelName=SEWING-MACHINE-HEAD&diagramPageId=00009&componentDescription=ATTACHMENT%20PARTS&documentId=00032216&backToLink=Return%20to%20Sub%20Components%20list

If you're looking for the foot control, that is #16 on the first link.