Side of the Road Special # 2 - Elna 9000 computer sewing machine (Service, repair, and review)

Side of the Road Special is a series of videos where I show off some of the amazing things that people throw out.
This second installment is about an Elna 9000 computer sewing machine. This was a top of the line Swiss made machine sold in the late '80s/early '90s, and has a bunch of features found on high end moden machines. It was initially going to be just a review and test, but as I went down the rabbit hole and found/fixed more and more problems it turned into a full on service and repair video.
This is a very similar machine to the Elna Diva, and the "budget" Elna 8000.
As I was fixing it I found a real lack of information on the web about this particular model, so I hope that this video might be able to help some people who also have one of these machines in need of service or repair.
00:00 - Introduction
00:41 - Issues
01:27 - Shell removal
03:23 - Head block removal
05:27 - Needle swing motor adjustment
05:27 - Head block reassembly
09:37 - Presser foot alignment
10:02 - Needle plate alignment
11:02 - Needle centring
11:51 - Foot pedal disassembly/reassembly
14:47 - Motor belt adjustment
15:49 - Motor speed adjustment
16:51 - Bobbin winder repair
20:13 - Shell replacement
22:23 - Take up lever repair
24:22 - Thread tension adjustment
27:24 - Feed balance adjustment
28:16 - Thread cutter blade rotation
28:47 - Cleaning
30:03 - Review
33:22 - First project! (Cushion)
35:50 - Final thoughts
I hope you enjoy the video and thanks for watching!

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

I hope you enjoyed this video - I found there was a major lack of information about these on the net, so hopefully this will help some people who have similar machines in need of service or repair. Let me know if you have any questions!

[@jennyavon2154]

Thank you so much for this - you're right, there is not much info out there on these machines. I'm working on an elna 6000 and your video helped me fix the bobbin winder. You're a star!

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad it helped!

[@divyajnana]

Great video on servicing a great sewing machine. I have a 9000 with a few issues, now i can fix it, thank you VERY much.

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

Glad you enjoyed it I hope you can get yours working!

[@louiseayden9976]

Wow. What a find!

[@fangsbrokenrose]

Boy howdy I’m amazed there’s such a good idea on this machine. I just inherited a 8000 after my grandma passed recently. I have no idea the last time it was used. I’m used the servicing my super old iron singer, but this new one is WAY too complicated for me to confidently service it. But I really want this to work so I can sew more than just a strait stitch!!!

[@1953childstar]

This brought back some memories… This was my late mothers favorite sewing machine.

[@rls5709]

Incredible video, thank you!

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ashurblue]

I've an opportunity to buy one of these machines from a non-sewer. Your video has made me feel confident to reconsider . I may go for it! This is undoubtably the best online video I have seen demonstrating the fine point of resurrecting a machine, any machine. Thank you for the fine instructions and commentary.

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

I think you should, they really are amazing machines! I'm really glad you liked the video!

[@wayneduchscherer4676]

I purchase this Elna 9000 new($2500 Can) when they first came out in 1999.Absolutely amazing for her high level of sewing and design. A few years later it was taken in for routine service where it was purchased.It came back and never functioned since.Taken to another Elna repair and supposedly fixed.No never could adjust tension after that.Machine has been a door stop ever since.Seems to be doing what the one you posted.Although it runs great it has that tension problem she has never been able to resolve.Since I also bought her the 7000 Serger it still works well. Always wish I could find someone reliable to correct the tension issue but so far failed.Wish you were close by so you could tackle this problem.

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

That's a real shame, I wonder what happened... the tension can certainly be a bit fiddely and if there's an issue with the take up lever it can make the tension super loose. If you wanted to have a look at it here's a link to the service manual www.scribd.com/document/499216114/Service-Manual-Elna-8000-9000-Diva Hopefully you have some luck. Nice to know that the overlocker still works! Thanks for watching!

[@louiseayden9976]

I bought mine for $3890 in 1989 at a home show in Melbourne, Australia. The man who serviced the machine said it is perfect condition. My best buy ever!

[@user-tx6rq9by5w]

Great video I just got a Diva 9000 at a thrift shop for $35 usd and am looking forward to trying it, I am just waiting for the pedal I ordered to arrive. Great info though but hopefully I won't need to do all that you did to mine.

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

Nice buy! Yes, hopefully you'll have an easier time of it. I would definitely recommend cleaning the lint out and lubing all the moving parts. Have fun!

[@maurieshakespeare5835]

Great word young man

[@KS-fg9st6lk2m]

Finally a really detailed service video. Loved it. My Elna 7000 started sewing in reverse after all these years and it was serviced last year for routine cleaning. Sent it out for repair and it came back as unrepairable due to self regulator not working. Does the machine have such a part or function? Thinking of opening my machine up after watching your great video. I love my 7000 and if its not repairable I may even buy an old one.

[@KS-fg9st6lk2m]

oops,, meant stitch regulator

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm not particularly familiar with the 7000. Without seeing it I can't give you too much info but I assume the stitch regulator is an electronic component on the main board. On the 9000 at least most of the chips are still available as new parts so if you found an old computer or TV technician they may be able to fix it. Definitely give it a crack!

[@claudemartos803]

Bonsoir, merci pour cette video, j'ai appris beaucoup de chose ce soir j'ai depuis quelques annees une elna 6000 et je ne trouve pas d'information sur la synchronisation aiguille-crochet , de combien de mm faut il remonter apres le point mort bas pour etre en phase de boucle. Merci à tous pour vos commentaires. Bonne soirée.

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

Hi from the manual it looks to be 2.45 to 2.75mm. Elna unfortunately uses a lot of proprietary service tools which I haven't been able to source. Have a look at the manual - section 7 covers hook timing. www.ifixit.com/Document/PArl4jlNvNWgbK5F/ELNA_6000_service_manual.pdf?referrer=wiki%3A209846 Best of luck and thanks for watching!

[@claudemartos803]

@@grannyflatgarage7599 Bonjour, je te remercie pour m'avoir répondu, j'avais vu cette page hier ou il est indiquer 2.45 mm. Aprés controle je l'avais bien régler j'ai tout nettoyer demonter la tension du porte canette, regler la tension du fil superieur et au final elle fonctionne comme avant. Cela fait quelques jours que je suis dessus pour avoir remplacer mon arbre inferieur remplacer par un de elna 5000 car la machine à forcé et les pignons sont féles d'ou une synchronisation impossible. Je vais me raprocher d'un atelier de précision (pour je pense percer l'arbre et mettre des mecaningus ou) voir avec le technicien, encore un grand merci à toi et super pour tes videos. A bientot de te lire et bonne journée.😊 👌🙏✌

[@zanzyziyaarah2463]

Hi, thanks for the tutorial. I have an Elna 6000 computer, the needle is not catching the bobbin thread. Kindly assist

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

No problems, glad you enjoyed it. The easiest 2 things to do are: 1. Give the hook (bobbin holder) and surrounds a good clean - a build up of lint and thread (through normal use) can cause issues with bobbin pickup. 2. Swap to a brand new needle - a slightly bent one (you might not even be able to see the bend) can cause it to miss the thread pickup point. If this doesn't work it could be a timing issue. I would recommend having a look at the service manual for your machine - www.ifixit.com/Document/PArl4jlNvNWgbK5F/ELNA_6000_service_manual.pdf?referrer=wiki:209846 Have a look at the section marked "Hook Timing" this is a more complicated repair though. I hope this helps, thanks for watching!

[@ropaparatrabajar-aspia345]

Hi, thanks for the tutorial. I have an Elna 9000 computer, Could you tell me how to solve the thread tension at the top and bottom since the thread gets stuck at the bottom? Thank you so much! from Argentina

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

No problems. The thread bunching can be a few things but I'd try to do the factory tension reset first. I go through it in the video. Good luck.

[@ropaparatrabajar-aspia345]

@@grannyflatgarage7599 I have tried, turning the wheel to number 9 but it keeps gathering thread under the fabric

[@silvia3584]

Soy de Argentina. Tengo una maquina Elna Diva 9000, desde hace 30 años, nunca tuve ningun problema . Solo que ahora comienza haciendo zig zag y desoues de una spuntadas sigue cosiendo recto. Tampoco me hace bordados ni ojales. El problema puede ser mecanico o elctronico? Me encantaria que pueda tener solucion. ya que aca en argentina no se quien pueda repararla. Aun no he encontrado otra maquina que la supere. Pero en mi pais no llegan esa marca. El video es extraordinario, felicitaciones

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

It is a little hard to tell without seeing the machine. It could be mechanical or the computer. You should try the computer self test for the side to side stepper motor. I do it at 11:02 in the video.

[@tamarasporn113]

Can you tell me what the 0 cassette is. I have it but not the card. Ps your video is awesome and informative.

[@grannyflatgarage7599]

Thanks, glad you liked it. Looks like it was a promotional cassette that came with the machine you plug in stitch 999 and it sews a motif with a star, a moose, the words "happy time" and a stylish "A B" .

[@tamarasporn113]

@grannyflatgarage7599 could you share a screenshot of card front and back. I would like to add it to my cards? Also I noticed maybe your feed dogs need raised. I had to do that with mine. It sews a lot better now.