How many quilters does it take to change a light bulb?

I have a Husqvarna Viking Quilt Designer. I took it in for service at my nearest Dealer(which wasn't really near) and when I plugged it in to test drive it I saw that the little light bulb that shines down on the needle wasn't working. I jiggled it to make sure it hadn't vibrated loose in transit and it didn't work. I called the Dealer and asked if they had the replacement bulbs and was told they were on order. That was 5/7/09. The light bulb that shines down on the work area went out shortly afterward. I asked the Dealer if they would call me when the bulbs came in but hadn't heard anything so I called them again yesterday. Still on order.
DH is in Dayton this week so I found a Dealer there and called, thinking he could pick them up. They said they were on order.
Called one in Taylor Michigan and they said they had them. Yay! :yahoo: I asked if they could ship them to me and was told they can't because of company policy. The nice lady asked where I was and i told her. she said.."Oh that's just a straight shot up I-75. We're easy to find. We're right where you get off at the Telegraph exit." Soo..as much as I hate driving on expressways..I decided to go. I was desperate.
I drove for what seemed like forever..but finally got there and back home.
I can't get the light bulb out that sits just above the needle! There's a rubber suction cup thingy that comes with the machine to pull it out..but it doesn't work. I called the Dealer and asked if there's a special trick and the nice lady said she couldn't get hers out either so she had the repairman do it. Grrr... I tried wetting the suction cup thingy..no luck. I tried duct tape (that stuff works miracles) but that didn't work either!
Long story..long? Anybody know of any tricks to get that @#!&%* thing out?

AND did you know..if you have a Viking they say you should replace both bulbs if you do one..or it blows out the other?

Do you have to push up on the bulb before trying to turn it? I am thinking of running over to a favorite quilt shop today. They sell the Vikings. I can ask them too.

I am of limited help - I did know you have to replace both if one goes out. I remember it being a major pain to get the bulbs, but I don't remember how I finally got them. And I know I had one heck of a time getting that bulb out!! As I recall this is what worked: I put some sticky wax stuff (I think it's meant to keep tapered candles standing straight in the candle holders - when was the last time I used candles and worried about that?!?) Anyhow - I tucked a tiny bit of that sticky wax inside the rubber suction cup thingy.

I then found out that the bulbs are pretty standardly used in cars. I was able to buy them right here in our little town at the auto parts and supply dealer!! So, now I have an extra set on hand. I just thought of this now - - I wonder if the auto parts guys would have had an idea about getting that bulb out?

I love my machine except for that bulb issue!!

Barb..you aren't supposed to turn the bulb. It's supposed to just come out by pulling straight down...except it don't!

QBee..I was thinking of some kind of glue too! In fact..before I went to bed last night I thought of putting super glue on the thingy and let it sit all night..then presto..pull it out this morning. I decided against that because if it oozed out..I might ruin the machine?DH will be getting home tonight and I'll have him look at it. He's been hearing about those dang bulbs in our phone conversations..and can't quite picture what I'm talking about.
I had no idea those bulbs might be available in car parts stores? We have several of those nearby. I think I'll stop in and see if I can get some spares? I sure had to go through a lot just to get the ones sold by Viking! It took me 3hrs round trip. I can get to a car parts store in 5 min.
Thanks for the idea of sticky wax candle holder stuff. I'm not sure where to get it..but at least it's something that works!

PS..I found out that swearing a lot...doesn't help!

Swearing doesn't help but it sure doesn't hurt either. Keeps you from blowing a fuse!! Why are things so user unfreindly? Shouldn't be that way. Hope it works for DH.

OK..DH got home and asked to see the light bulb puller thingy..and had me show him where the lightbulb was. He rolled his eyes and acted like I was dumb for not being able to get the bulb out. Then..he tried..and tried..and tried. Swearing didn't help him either.
He thought the same as I did..take out the screws in the back of the machine and get to it that way..but the screws were deep set and needed a star shaped driver. He had one..I didn't. He took a couple of screws out and pryed the case open enough to get the puller on the bulb completely and it came right out. :yahoo: He said he had an extra of the driver which is called a torque driver and gave it to me. I popped the new bulbs in and they work! :yahoo: Big hugs for DH..and told him he was my hero.

Then..I was telling him about the mulberry tree I dug out and how I dug and twisted..etc..and he said I remind him of Lucille Ball! Humph! I have an articulated hand sitting on my desk and when he said that..I changed the position of the fingers to give him a "salute". I thought he'd choke he laughed so hard!

It's good to have him home tormenting me. Life is back to normal!

Im so glad you got the lightbulb out, I keep a set of small screwdrivers in my sewing kit box, Im forever using them to fix lauras toys, change batteries in remote controls etc LOL I do use them on teh machine too. I have had my light bulb out for about 6 weeks, keep forgetting to get a new one, actually I fear bob has lost my bulb to get a match, now I need a new embroidery foot seeing as mine blew to smithereens a couple of weeks ago, sigh, sewing machines were made to drive us batty. I wonder if swearing at it was what made mine bite my toe that time?

What a wonderful ending to your story Annie........the salute!

I, too, don't understand why changing a light bulb is so hard. Guess they do that so you'll take your machine to a dealer and pay them "THE BIG BUCKS!"

memaw4

I don't think my dealer would charge me to change the bulb, but I wouldn't be one bit happy about driving 2+ hours each way to get the bulbs changed!

Ann - I just went and looked at my machine and see that I've got those deep set, star shaped screws, too. So, if you find spare bulbs at the auto store, and I get myself the right kind of screwdriver, we both should never again suffer this particular frustration!! That's me "knocking on wood"!!

Your salute to DH really makes me laugh - but so does the thought of this articulated hand decoration on your desk!! What's it made out of? And why is it there? I don't know anyone else who has one of these! :lol:

Im curious too Qbee, so Ann, take a pic of your third hand and show us, explain all, curious minds want to know LOL

sure glad you had a happy ending to this story.... Dh's are good for something.... lets keep them around

all for a lightbulb which we really do need...
Anne you have to start writing a blog about your mishaps!! a diary of your daily adventures cause you surely have them!!
I am so glad that DH was able to fix it and I love your ingenuity on trying to remedy the situation yourself...you are lucille Ball!!

Lucille had nothing on you!

LOL..I guess I do get myself into trouble at times..but that's just because I don't give up easily. Once I get determined to do something...look out!

The articulated hand..actually I have 2 of them. They are made of wood. I got them from an artists catalog. I keep one on the table next to where I sew and put my thimble on the finger when I'm done sewing so I don't lose it. The other sits on my desk and I hang rubber bands on it so they are handy. I can also shoot them at DH if he doesn't listen to me when I talk to him.
I'll try to attach a pic here..

How funny! Sounds like there is never a dull moment there!

Ann - those are great!! now I want a pair!! I'm especially laughing as I think about your pretty, old-fashioned quilt and the sweet photo of you in "Quiltmaker". Who would guess that's the same Ann who does things like suggest an X tattoo on our backsides and makes questionable use of those hands!! I'm so glad you're here. I love the things you share with us!

MMMk. Just don't tell me I'm like Lucille Ball!

I raised 2 boys..and had their friends around a lot as they were growing up. Sometimes my "humor" isn't all that lady like? DH says I'm feisty. I'm not sure if that's a compliment..or an insult?

LOLOLOL Just read this entire thread.....gave me a laugh....of course...having had 3 boys....Love it! I think I need a set of those hands as well!!!!

Those hands are hysterical. I quilter has to do what a quilter has to do! And if means giving a "salute" every once in a while......then so be it!


memaw4