It's hard to say, but for such a minimally used machine, I'd be surprised that the motor just went out. I, too, would suspect a glitch in the assembly not allowing it to turn on...since you use it infrequently, is that a possibility? Was there any kind of a hum at all? Did you try another outlet, too, just to make sure? I have mine plugged into a power strip (because the cord doesn't easily reach the outlet) and sometimes I have to move it from one plug in to another if it won't start.

I concur with the others. If you use it infrequently, perhaps you have forgotten how all has to be aligned or it won't turn on.
But if the motor really is gone, contact Cuisinart...very likely they will be able to repair it for you.

Thank you all for the quick replies.

We used it to grind meat before. Always cut meat into very small pieces, added seasoning, required liquid and other ingredients, the mixed sausage like meat always turned out great.

This morning I followed instructions assembled the unit, went to gym. Came back turned on the switch and found the motor was out.

DH (an Engineer) checked it too, the motor was dead. The outlets we plugged it in all worked.

Cuisinart is out of the office today, I will call them Monday (Federal holiday) or Tuesday.

We took out the original purchased material, there was a 5-year warranty, of course it is long expired.

It feels like seeing a beauty die young. Weeping..... :-(

Call a friend who uses a Cuisinart often to have a look. I have several times been called and told the cuisinart at church was broken....wouldn't turn on. And an Engineer and a CPA also pronounced it broken too! :-) just didn't get the parts aligned properly.
Just as a check list...the bowl has to be aligned over the locking hole, the blade has to be securely in place, the lid has to be on and aligned so it closes and will allow the pusher mechanism to push the locking rod into the motor housing.
Before you panic, take it apart and put it together again.....if ti still doesn't work....then panic!!

"...a CPA also pronounced it broken, too!" That made me chuckle, lindac92. ;)

Lindac, You are right!

Good news!

Engineer got the screwdriver out trying to open motor's chassis and have to look. But found out it was tightly closed; so he put all the screws back.

He then reassemble the bowl and lid, tried on a different outlet. The Beauty came alive.

He said he did not do anything to fix it. I said he did.....I now suspect I did not align everything right just as Linda mentioned. I am happy to take all the blames.

I am even happier that I have all of you here to bounce off ideas. Many many thanks for your help.

A FP like that mostly uses a direct drive "squirrel cage" induction motor. A motor like that is a very simple electrical device. It has magnetic field coils driving a center non-electrical rotor. And the coils are connected to switches and other contacts..

If the coils get burnt out from overloading, you will for sure smell it. Still, if you have an ohm meter, you can quickly check continuity.

The components which can go wrong are mostly the switches, which can easily be checked with an ohm meter. Replacing switches can be inexpensive.

If the motor's coil is burnt, it cannot be repaired. The whole motor will need to be replaced, which may cost more than buying a new FP.

I suspect the problem might be a rusty switch or contacts, and not the motor.

dcarch