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Pfaff 2170

by Marlene
(Canada)

My Pfaff 2170 just died and, as usual, just like with my Pfaff 7570, parts are no longer available to repair it.

Are manufacturers trying to force women to buy a new sewing machine every ten years? Even before a new model comes out, they quit making parts for the former top of the line.

In my case, it has been the PCB or mother board and I end up with a sewing machine that is useless. I have been a Pfaffer all my life and am now back to sewing on my first Pfaff which is a mechanical Pfaff 1222E. It still sews well and although I really liked the 7570 and 2170 embroidery capabilities I now feel I can no longer afford to keep shelling out a lot of money every few years to buy new machines that only last a short while.

It is not just the cost of the machine but there are also all the extra hoops, embroidery cards, special feet, etc. that one buys to go with a top-of-the-line machine. They are all useless to me without a machine on which to use them.

I am amazed that sewers are not getting fed up with this "parts no longer available" line.

Since I mainly sew quilts, I really do not need all the bells and whistles even though I liked having them.

If my old Pfaff 1222E quits on me I will look for a mechanical machine to buy and avoid computerized ones like some quilters already do.

I may even dig out my old Featherweight machine.

Comments for Pfaff 2170

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Apr 05, 2024
 Pfaff in generral
by: BParker

I have a Pfaff QE 720 and was looking for answers to a problem and then came across this site. Machine is ok. Has had some issues and is 4 years old. But I just saw that Pfaff was bought by Viking which is owned by Singer who was recently bought out by an American Equity firm - not good news. Equity firms do are not renowned for caring about quality. Sorry. I hoped my Pfaff would last forever! Guess not.
Dec 11, 2023
 Pfaff 2170 with embroidery attachment
by: Ruth

My mom has a Pfaff 2170 machine with an embroidery attachment. The machine is not working and cannot be fixed, but the embroidery attachment was hardly ever used. we’re looking to sell for best offer (hoping to get about $200) we can get so she can buy a different machine.
Jun 02, 2023
 Looking for 2170
by: Jim & Jan

I want to buy a used Pfaff 2170 for parts to try and fix mine.
May 01, 2022
 Pfaff parts
by: Ernest

My wife has a Pfaff 2170 and there was a little plastic cam that broke. The machine is over 10 years old, so Pfaff does not carry parts. A $5 - $10 part and the machine is not usable. 2 years ago, she updated the software for $1000 and because the dongle missed up.

I will have a hard time buying another Pfaff until I check out how long the other companies keep parts.

From the Editor: I had the same sort of experience with my old Viking D1. The motherboard went kaput. It's been awhile now, but it was only about 10ish years old. I was told they'd 'order' the motherboard ($800 OMG), but they wouldn't know when it would deliver.

It was explained that Viking holds onto the orders until there's enough for a small run to make them.

I wondered what they thought I'd be doing for that 'unknown' period of time without a sewing machine.

I guess planned obsolescence is not part of the sewing machine manufacturers' plans. It sucks.

Piecefully,

Julie B
Editor
Dec 18, 2019
 Pfaff 2170
by: Anonymous

My 2170 display screen went out.

I called my Pfaff dealer (who I purchased this machine from) and was told, "I don’t think I get boards for it anymore. Most people just upgrade every few years".

As a home sewer that cost is prohibitive. I have all the accessories, and of course, none of it will fit the new "money pit".

Done with Pfaff.

From the Editor:

I am so sorry to hear this has happened to you.

I had a Viking D1 that I bought back in 2001. It was a big purchase for me ($3600ish). I thought it'd last me forever.

Nope.

The motherboard went and I was told it'd be about $800 to fix it, but...

...and it's a big but...

...they couldn't give me any idea when it'd be available...it seems the company gathers up enough orders (however that many is) and then, and only then, produces the motherboards.

I couldn't wait as it was a doorstop without a working motherboard so I bought a Juki.

So frustrating.

I DO feel your pain.

Yours as a kindred spirit,

Julie
Apr 03, 2019
 My Pfaff 2170
by: Crystal

I, too, have a Pfaff 2170. I love it - as I've loved all my previous Pfaff machines!

The touch screen has died on my 2170, and three technicians have said, "Parts are no longer available." Any recommendations on what I should do with it?


I really want to stay with a German-made Pfaff; I may look for a 7570. Thanks in advance for any and all feedback!
Mar 21, 2019
 Canada
by: Mary

Yes it’s frustrating I purchased a 2140 upgraded to a 2170, embroidery unit, serial and USB Pcmi cards for design transfer, feet, hoops, rolling Pfaff bags 3D Etc . Etc. and was unable to use it due to circumstances, I recently took it in for service as although it sewed it had sat for a long time and I had a sensor 7 error when it first turned on. I was told they were no longer supported and parts unavailable. They called me and said it was working fine however suggested the previous error could be a tension pressure foot unit, that they had one available for 579.00 and suggested I replace it just in case as there was no guarantee they would have one in the future. I said okay and then received a call today saying that they were now getting the error again had removed the new foot and would ensure it was still sewing.
So yes my fault I didn’t pull it from the bags and run it every month however one might as well as call it brand new with upgrades and one class at the dealers so a very expensive doorstop. I also took a white Singer Featherweight from Graham and a Singer 401 to another shop for service as they sat the same length of time and they are both serviced and running perfectly. I also will not be buying future TOL.
Feb 05, 2019
 Planned Obsolescence
by: Anonymous

The 2100 series were the last European-built Pfaff machines after it was bought out by SVP. In other words, the last true Pfaffs. Most modern electronics are built with planned obsolescence. I've never opened up a recent computerized sewing machine, but I have a feeling they are as unrepairable as most modern laptops, tablets, etc. This is obviously purposely done in order to force people to buy new machines.

With that being said, the 2140/2144/2170 machines are very repairable. The trick to owning these machines is to learn how to work on them yourself. Most technicians, like auto mechanics, will nickel and dime you to death; and most will no longer even touch these machines because (Pfake) Pfaff have discontinued the parts. Most can be found on eBay, and there are plenty of donor machines if not (all three are nearly identical machines, just came with different software).

Dealers and companies would like you to believe it takes a superhuman technician to repair a sewing machine, but it doesn't; it's just that they limit access to service manuals and tools to trained technicians only so the average person is clueless as to how to fix their costly machine.

In most cases, the repairs are not that difficult, especially with a service manual on hand. There are PDFs of the 2140/2144/2170 service manuals on eBay, which are scans of the originals that were made for technicians only.
Oct 29, 2018
 Pfaff 2170
by: Cindy

I just saw your posting about your 2170. I inherited one and it needs a new cutter motor. Would you be willing to sell parts if you still have yours? Thanks
jbcc1620@gmail.com
Sep 05, 2018
 EMBROIDERY UNIT FOR PFAFF 2170
by: Marlene

Replying to Ken Carlson post

I just saw your April 2018 post today when I happened to once again be searching for a machine to replace my Pfaff 2170 and stumbled on to this site where I had written a post on my experience with the Pfaff 7570 and 2170 and lack of parts.

To answer your questions, (1)the embroidery attachment for the Pfaff 7570 is not the same as the one for the Pfaff 2170 and (2) I do have one for the 2170 that is in like new condition that I would be willing to sell to you depending on where you live.

If you see this and are interested you can email me at cultusquilter@gmail.com

Marlene
Apr 06, 2018
 Compability?
by: Kent Carlson

Hi,
As you own both a 7570 and a 2170, can you then please tell me, if the embroidery unit for the two machines are the same?

I just bought a 2170 without embroidery unit, but would love to have it. But I can't find it anywhere. Units for 7570 I can find severals of. So if the unit for 7570 fits 2170 it would be great.

Or ... Maybe you are interested Selling your 2170 unit?
Sep 12, 2017
 Making Do with Doo-Doo
by: Mrs. D

I understand exactly where you are coming from. Isn't it a shame to see such an expensive investment hurt in so many ways? I've been on the machine buying treadmill for 30 years.

When I shop for a machine I sit down to try it out, and lucky for me I'm sitting down when they tell me the price and cost of the extras. And I am always so dazzled by all the bells and whistles that I never consider the machine I'm about to buy will have no repair parts available in less than 10 years.

I bought a great machine in 2013, and a year into it started having a bit of trouble. I was surprised to learn it was re-engineered in 2015 due to a bearing problem in the model I bought. Oh great! So, where do I go from here?

I pray my $6,000 machine will last a few years more before I have to buy again. It is frustrating.

For the time being, I'm making do, with doo-doo. I hope you are laughing with me, and not laughing at me. Thank you.
Sep 12, 2017
 unavailable sewing machine parts
by: rose lady

I am also fed up with this practice of not finding sewing machine parts for expensive machines. My 2001 Baby Lock Ellure needs a broken tension pulse motor. My 1969 Touch and Sew Singer needs a bobbin casing. I LOVED both of these and cannot part with them. (I also have my Mom's 1950 White machine made by Sears).

So I got a cheap mechanical machine. Still miss my other older machines!
Sep 11, 2017
 I agree about the Pfaff 7570
by: SewSunny

The Pfaff 7570 was the first embroidery machine I purchased in 1999. Within three years, the mother board went out on the machine and I never got decent locked straight stitches on that machine again. I purchased a Husqvarna Viking Quilt Designer II in 2004 and of course, all the cards and boxes that you needed to embroider. I traded in the Pfaff 7570 for the Husqvarna Designer Diamond and it's been running like a champ for the last nine years and counting.I would like to buy the Husqvarna Viking Epic but the price is $15,000. My husband thinks you should be able to drive it to the grocery store for that price. LOL

The answer to your question is that in everything mechanical, the manufacturers will always discontinue one machine to entice you to buy another. If you don't need a computerized machine, go with the mechanical one. They're a lot less expensive, too.
Sep 08, 2017
 Commiserating on your Pfaff
by: Sandra

I love Pfaffs too! My 6152 is in the shop. I bought it in the 90's and a part broke, but it is being replaced. I turned in my 1222e to get it, and regret giving that machine up! I have a Passport now also, and my dear granddaughter managed to muck it up as she was learning to sew.
Back to my featherweight until the Pfaffs are ready!

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