Brother XL-5340 Mechanical Sewing Machine - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Basic Tips for All

1. Always turn the handwheel TOWARDS you (counter clockwise) as turning it in the opposite direction (away from you, clockwise) may knock the timing out requiring repair from a service center.
2. Always be sure your presser foot is in the DOWN position before sewing. Sewing with the presser foot in the up position will cause your thread to tangle and your bobbin to jam.
3. Change needles regularly (after 16 hours of use) as dull/weak needles can cause damage to your machine and fabric. Only use SINGER needles on your SINGER sewing machine.
4. Always be sure you are using the correct bobbin for your machine. Class 66, Class 15 and Class 15J bobbins look very similar. However, using the incorrect bobbin class in your machine can cause damage.

How do I thread my 3/4 thread serger? (14SH654, 14ET754, 14SH764, 14CG754) Q. How do I thread my 2/3/4/5 thread serger? (14T967, 14T968, 14T957) Why is my electronic machine beeping? Why won't my machine sew? Why will my machine start to sew then stop? Q. How do I sew denim and heavy fabrics? Q. Why is my bobbin not winding evenly? Q. Why won't my machine pick up the bobbin thread? Q. Why is my machine skipping stitches? Q. Why is the thread looping/bunching under my fabric? Q. Why is the thread looping/bunching on top of my fabric? Q. Why doesn't my stitch pattern match what is on my machine? Q. How often should I oil my machine? Q. What types of thread should I use? Q. I can't see the take-up lever? ,,

Make sure you have a tight wind on the bobbin, and it is free and clear of any lose threads. Also if replacement bobbin make sure the size is right for machine model. To thin of one causes them to bounce up and down putting tension on thread as it is sewing.

Sounds silly but check bobbin winder, if stuck in place it shifts the machine to different function.

when the reverse doesn't respond then the machine needs to be checked to see if a gear is bad or broken

If you do that, you'll void the warranty on the machine. You may already have. If the "turning wheel" (handwheel) is stuck, then most likely either the machine has seized from lack of lubrication or thick lubricants, or you've got a heck of a thread jam going on in the bobbin case and feed dog area.

check with these sites, call or email them a1sewingmachines.com sewvacdoctor.com

try adjusting the top tension, one number or letter at a time on a piece of scrap fabric till the bobbin stitches don't loop any morehere is a free manual just incase you don't have one, just click onthe linkhttp://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Users%20Manual/UM_XL_5130_5232_5340_EN_208.PDF

Look on the back of the machine for a slide-type switch near the sewing area.

Go to support on the Brother website. Click on the link that offers technical support. They should offer you a web link to ask questions and a phone # to call and talk to a tech. murf427

Hello, vjI am trying to help you out here. Maybe this will help some? I am known on Fixya as the cleanup expert pro. Which means I spend my own personal time to seek out customers that maybe have not had there problem yet solved. I do this on my own time for free. Think of me as a Specialized Trouble Shooter.I have found out that it appears that lots of customers appreciate my efforts and help. So, I thought I would take some of my own personal time to see if I can help you. Even though this Informational site may not have your exact model or brand, But this site will help you a lot. Here is the site link about everything you want to know about Sewing Machines and possibly yours, from repair to trouble shooting it.http://home.howstuffworks.com/sewing-machine.htmPlease if this helped you at all, if you can find the time and in your heart to rate my help and some kind words written would be appreciated for my free help. It would make my time worth. Like I said I just try to help, If anything this is good information for future problems. If you felt that my free help was a waist of time for you, I'm sorry. I do not get paid to help people on the site, I do it cause I like to help and maybe make a smile on someones face.Here is also my direct link to my own pages of other areas of my expertise for other problems you might have in Automotive, Appliance, and Electronics. Drop In anytime for my help. http://beta.fixya.com/users/mc1bean Thanks Mike

try these sites
sewingpartsonline.com
amapparelsupply.com
a1sewingmachine.com
sewingsupplywarehouse.com

try changing the top thread tension to 3 or 4

also rethread the machine just in case the thread is hung up somewhere

take the bobbin out & put the bobbin in reverse of what you did before

you said you changed the needle, check to make sure it in correctly,, the flat side goes to the back of the machine, push it all the way up before tightening the screw

firstly check that the needle is in the right way, flat shank to the back. This is easy to get wrong and will prevent the rotary hook from catching the upper thread when the needle is at the lowest point in the stitch sequence.

Also check threading up of the top thread, particularly that the thread is through the take up lever.

There is good trouble shooting tips at http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Repair/Sewing%20Machine%20Troubleshooting.htm too.

However, if you are certain threading up is correct, and needle is correct then the timing between needle and rotary hook may be out. There is diagrams at this website too for this problem
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Repair/Sewing%20Machine%20Hook%20Timing.htm however, I've always left timing repair to my sewing machine technician to deal with.

There could be several things that could cause the machine not to pick up the bobbin thread.


1. The upper thread could be tangled. Remove the thread completely from the machine. The correct size spool cap should be used for the size of the thread spool. Re-thread the machine according to the directions in the manual.


2. Remove the bobbin and make sure the bobbin is threaded properly in the shuttle race. Remove any loose threads or lint in the shuttle race.


3. You could be holding the needle thread too tight. Hold the thread lightly to keep the end from going down into the shuttle.


4. The needle could be thread incorrectly. Thread the needle eye from the front to the back.


5. The needle could be bent or improperly inserted. Install a new needle with the flat side of the needle facing the back.


If the problem persists, your machine may require service.

The bobbin thread tension has already been adjusted at the factory for general use. For most applications, no adjustment is needed.

When sewing with then thread on thin fabrics, the thread tension may not be adjusted adequately with the upper tension control dial. Therefore, the thread tension must be adjusted according to the procedure described below.

If bobbin tension is too loose and locks appear on the surface of the fabric, decrease the thread tension by turning the dial to a lower number.

If the result is still not satisfactory, then adjust the bobbin thread tension.

Increase the tension in the bobbin by turning the screw with a small screwdriver in a clockwise direction. However, do not turn the screw more than one full turn.

totally rethread, and do this test, rethread with the presser foot up, pull the thread it should feed smoothly, now lower the presser foot, pull thread, it should barely move. This will seat your thread in the tension discs, Also, don't be afraid to change your needle often.

1. Do you mean that there are knots in the bobbin thread?
2. Is the bottom thread in your stitching looping and knotting.

If yes to 1. you need to rewind your bobbin fresh, and keep slight tension on the thread reel that you are winding it from. Put the handle of your scissors into the top of the reel to apply a gentle pressure while winding. Keep your eye on the bobbin as it winds and give it a nudge with a finger tip to ensure it winds the bobbin evenly top, middle and bottom.

If yes to 2, then you need to check your bobbin threading, is the thread even under tension. Is the bobbin tension set correctly. Break out your manual and revisit this to ensure it is set correctly.

Hi,

You can download and print the instruction manual in PDF format by clicking this link.

Adobe PDF Reader is required to view this manual. Download Adobe Reader

Hope this helps. Kindly let me know if you have any difficulty in downloading the manual. Thanks for using FixYa

You can see a the directions on www.ehow.com, they have nice large diagrams. About holding the bobbin case and the tab being used to insert it in the shuttle case. Your manual does a decent job too, with diagrams that you can enlarge. If, you can't find your manual go to www.brother-usa.com and under support you can get a copy to download for free. Save it to your computer.

try sewingpartsonline.com or sewingmachineparts.net

If, you can't just screw it back on, I would take it in for service. You may be able to take it to your dealer and ask how it goes back on but they may charge you. Without being able to see it, it is difficult to diagnose the problem