There are not very many things that can go wrong with an old food processor. I would bet that the problem is simply a bad capacitor. A couple of dollars for a new set of capacitors and 15 minutes with a solder iron is likely to have you back in business.
In my case the plastic latch mechanism on the bowl broke, and the replacement costs more than I can justify given the price of a new unit - the weakest link in the system. The motor is built like a tank. This happened a year ago and just about the only thing I really miss it for so far is cutting fat into flour for pie crusts. Everything else like making bread crumbs and quick pesto etc. I can sortof get by with the Vitamix, since I don’t do that much or that often.
My Cuisinart DLC7 died last year after 34 years and only because I was abusing it pulverizing egg shells for my tomato garden. I wouldn’t look anywhere else.
It’s funny-we have a smallish Cuisinart that I was using a few days ago. I thought “how long have we had this thing”. We’ve been married 30 years it has to be close to that. It might be time to get a new one that’s a bit bigger, more modern. I was thinking Costco must always have one available, going to look next time I am there.
That’s exactly what happened to mine! Must be planned obsolescence by Cuisinart. I have always wanted a larger size, so 14 cup arrives tomorrow. This one is likely to outlive me!