how can i fix an old brother sewing machine?

Hello Kerry,
I think you are referring to the stop motion wheel, the stop motion should be tight when you turn it away from you to make the machine work, you loosen the wheel towards you to wind a bobbin, if you have tightened the wheel and the wheel turns but the needle does not then the washer inside has moved, undo the screw that is on the stop motion wheel, unscrew the stop motion wheel all the way off, you will now see a three pronged washer, take the washer of and put it back on in a different position, screw the stop motion wheel back on and tighten finger tight only, put the small screw back in and tighten the wheel a bit more, it should now work, if it does not put the washer in a different position even upside down, that is all it is.
Ken

drivewithken
June 2010