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Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Oct. 25, 2010, 6:18 AM
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I have had my machine for a month. Right out of the box, the Cpod had to be replaced. I just finished two lap quilts and was almost done with a whole cloth quilt when I heard a ticking noise. I thought it was the bobbin running out of thread, so I checked it. The bobbin was fine. Then the ticking noise got louder, the machine stopped and I got and error message "Motor stall check for needle lock". Again I checked the bobbin, the top threading, tension, and needle. I tried to sew a few more stitches, the machine locked and had a terrible high pitched noise, then gave the error message "Needle sensor fail duringad walk". Again I checked everything and couldn't find anything amiss. So, I tried to tie off my thread with a couple stitches and again the machine made a terrible high pitched sound and the error message was "motor stall check for thread lock". I turned the machine off and back on and again tried to sew a couple stitches on the side and it is making a terrible sound like rattling. This happened on Sunday and my Dealer is closed today, Monday. Technical support doesn't open until 8am MST. I am EST. I am quite frustrated with my brand new machine! I am beginning to believe I have received a "lemon".
Thank-you, Janet Powell |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Oct. 25, 2010, 3:59 PM
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Janet,
When you get a Motor Stall message the first thing you should do is turn your machine off and check the bobbin area for a thread. Once it is removed you can turn your machine back on. However, because you are getting the other error message will you please call into our customer service and ask for Sam. Our number is 1-877-697-8458 M-F 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM MDT. He will be able to help you resolve your problems. Thank you, Cheryl Duncan Handi Quilter Studio Educator |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Oct. 25, 2010, 4:35 PM
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| Thank-you for your response. I did contact Customer Support and actually talked with two people. I have to call the Dealer tomorrow, as the support people feel the machine is "out of timing". I still remain a bit frustrated that the machine, less than a month old could randomly go "out of time". I was in the middle of continuous sewing when the error first occurred. Hard to believe a thread in the bobbin could knock the entire machine out of time??? |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Nov. 6, 2010, 9:01 PM
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Sooo, my machine went back to the Dealer for repair. It returned after the Dealer said it had "slipped a cog" and needed the timing set. It sounded great until I threaded it and began stitching. After sewing and tearing out an area 6 times, and checking for answers online, I called the Dealer again. It was making the same ticking noise like before, and was skipping stitches. I thought may-be I was doing something wrong, but it was not me. My wonderful hubby took the machine back to the Dealer (I was fearful I would say something unkind) at his request to further work on the timing.
I was hopeful it would come back today...but no phone call. I am thinking there is really something wrong with this machine and not real confident it is going to be correct when it returns again. I am wondering how well Handi Quilter stands behind their machines? This machine is less than two months old and has been in for repair for more than two weeks. At what point do I give up and ask for a new machine??? I would appreciate any input..... |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Nov. 7, 2010, 2:52 PM
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| Half way through a quilt today, my Avante went nuts. First the top thread was loopy and then the bobbin thread did the same thing. I was working with a pantograph so sometimes I was a bit along the pattern when I noticed the problem. Double-checked tension which seemed to be OK. Then, I could not get the machine to work properly in either precision or cruise in regulated. When I first turn to start on the handlebar, the machine races so fast, it is truly unbelievable. I have done all the trouble shooting, checking bobbin case, winding of the bobbin, threading, cleaning everything and it is still not working. Of course this happens on a Sunday afternoon and there is no one to help me out. I am in the middle of a gift and I fear that this brand new machine will have to go to the shop. This is only the second quilt that I have placed on my machine. This is very frustrating. |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Nov. 7, 2010, 8:43 PM
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Jan,
Very curious to hear how your issues work out. Your problems sound very similar to the problems I have had with my brand new machine. The problem with the machine racing and not responding correctly was the Cpod on mine. Once that was replaced then I developed the next problem. I am sure you read my earlier posts. When did you get your machine???? |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Nov. 8, 2010, 4:06 PM
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| I always enjoy forums that have great responses! :) |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Nov. 10, 2010, 3:37 PM
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| I have a new Cpod on the way. Very frustrated with my dealer as I had contacted them a number of times (email, phone call, stopped in) and finally gave up and called HandiQuilter directly. Hopefully, the new Cpod will have me back up and operational within a week or so. Gotta get back on track with my gifts waiting to be quilted! |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Nov. 10, 2010, 6:09 PM
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Sure glad you are getting your machine taken care of! Interesting the Cpod was the problem. I just got my machine back again from the Dealer and so far....knock on wood...it seems to be running well. On a negative note, the Dealer mentioned the connection between my handles "got bent somehow" and just to leave it in the awkward position for fear of breaking the pins.....very disappointed he did not take responsibility for bending the connection. Considering the only way it could have gotten bent was during transport back and forth for repair. Hopefully it doesn't lead to another problem, as I am fed up with issues of this new machine.
How old is your machine? Possibly ours were both constructed at the same time?????? |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Nov. 18, 2010, 4:01 PM
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| The saga continues. After a week of waiting, the C-Pod arrived today and guess what??? It is faulty and they have to send another. After installing it, talking with tech support and reinstalling the old one, it was clear that the C-Pod is no good. Can you believe it? I am so discouraged. My stack of unfinished Christmas gifts is growing along with my frustration. If this does not resolve it, I will have to ask for additional service or a replacement. I am beginning to believe that I have a lemon. |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Nov. 18, 2010, 5:05 PM
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Wow! How I can feel your pain!!! My brand new machine was in 3 times before it finally came back user friendly. I totally understand your frustration and can relate to your disappointment in Handi Quilter. The most disappointing thing is the lack of...I am not sure of the word I want to use, but my own frustration that in the first 5 weeks of owning an expensive piece of equipment, it was in for repair for 2 of those weeks, is beyond verbalization. I was fortunate to have a Dealer within an hour of my house. Otherwise, I may still not be up and running.
I know it probably doesn't help much, but may-be my story will encourage you that given time......your machine will work. My frustration now is that I am not as good as I want to be on the machine!!! Hugs!!!!!! |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Nov. 22, 2010, 5:00 AM
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| Success!!! Handi Quilter was great at rushing me a new C-Pod (#2 since #1 was defective). I installed it right away on Saturday and held my breath. It stitched beautifully after I executed the burn-in. I did not have the chance to resume quilting on my Mom's Christmas gift but I most definitely will this afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed that my issues have been put to rest. My dealer called me and she is documenting all the problems in the event that more issues arise. She offered to let me use the machine in their shop to finish my quilt if need be. I am grateful for her response as well as the response from Handi Quilter. Happy Quilting! |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Jan. 21, 2011, 8:48 PM
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Wow! I can not believe what I am reading in this string. I am having the exact same problems. My machine is brand new and was delivered in early December. I performed a test sew for about 5 minutes then "clunk" and "whine", that was it! My husband and I spent hours re-threading, changing needles, changing bobbins, testing, testing, testing, to no avail. For every stitch it took, we heard a new click. There were numerous thread skips and thread breaks every few seconds. I was so disappointed.
I contacted our local dealer and brought the machine in for repair. After a week, we called and were informed that the timing was off and that an adjustment was needed. After another week, we were told that the timing was fixed but there was another problem with the bobbin that needed to be adjusted. Finally, it was ready to be picked up. I insisted on doing a test in the shop before bringing it home as it is not an easy machine to tote around and I didn't want to have to bring it back in. When I arrived, I was disappointed to see that the repair shop did not have a frame for the machine and that I needed to do a test with a small, loose piece of fabric. The test seemed to go okay however without the frame, I really didn't have the opportunity to give it a good go. All I could do was make a few small, manual, unregulated circles. Needless to say, as soon as I returned home and lugged the thing back into the basement and back onto the frame, I immediately began to perform another test. Much to my disgust, for about an hour or so, I experienced nothing but thread breaks and skipped stitches! I couldn't sew more than a foot or two without experiencing these problems. I have given up. I feel like I've been duped. I think that I have a malfunctioning machine and now after reading your comments, I wonder if there is an inherent problem with this model. I am reluctant to go back to the dealer again; the nicest of people however they just don't seem to be equipped to resolve this issue. I also don't like the idea or carting this delicate, heavy machine around for fear that more damage will occur. I'm taking your lead and will contact the manufacturer directly in hopes of finding a resolution. I'll post again and let you know how it works out. :( |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Jan. 21, 2011, 9:56 PM
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Barbara,
I am so sorry to hear you too are having issues with your brand new machine. I took mine back to the Dealer enough times that finally it was working well. You are correct to be concerned about moving the machine as one of the times the attachment for my micro handles got slightly bent. The Dealer was not taking responsibility for it because my husband brought the machine in one of the times (not sure when it got bent). I guess all I can say is....keep taking it back to your Dealer until it is fixed or, the Dealer gives up. I am quite happy with my machine now. I am learning it's personality and have learned sooooo much! I hope things work out for you!!! |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Jan. 25, 2011, 3:46 PM
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I am very sorry to hear of the problems you are having with your Avante. It is a wonderful machine, but, obviously, yours has an issue that needs some attention. Please call Handi Quilter and talk to someone in Technical Support. They will take care of you and help figure out what is going on with it. The phone number is 877-697-8458, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM MST.
Kathi Salter Handi Quilter Studio Educator |
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Re: Brand New Avante Issues
Posted: Jan. 29, 2011, 11:04 AM
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| Thank you both Kathy and Janet for your advice and encouragement. I continued to work through my dealer who was quite patient in advising me as to how to make corrections. We landed on success this morning using finer thread, slightly adjusting the needle position and loosening the bobbin tension. I made it through a full bobbin without a single thread break or a skipped stitch. I am quite relieved and very pleased with my test results. Thank you for providing this forum, it was clearly instrumental to me in finding my path to success. Once again, I'm an HQ fan! Can't wait to get started on my first HQ quilted piece!!! |
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