Vacuum Cleaner Trouble Guide

Use this guide to aid you in determining the problem you have. The links below the Kirby and Hoover columns take you to the respective part for quick ordering. Any resemblance between this guide and the hundreds of other troubleshooting charts and guides is coincidental. All vacuums share similar symptoms and similar causes. You must use troubleshooting skills not included here to isolate the problem to the correct part. I suggest consulting the huge selection of books on small appliance repair available at the public library or your vacuum cleaner manufacturer for in depth procedures on vacuum cleaner repair. Vacuum cleaner repair is best left to the experienced service person. Always remember to consult your owners guide and follow all safety procedures.

If a link does not currently exist to the part you need for your make of vacuum please fill out a part request form and we will quote you a price on the part.

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Symptom Possible Cause Kirby Hoover
Vacuum Cleaner will not turn on. No lights are on and motor remain off. Acts like Vacuum is not plugged in. Broken wire in cord. Replacement Cords Replacement Cords
  Defective on/off switch. Replacement on/off switches Replacement on/off switches
  Vacuum has no power.    
  Broken power wire inside vacuum.    
       
Vacuum Cleaner light turns on but motor does not. Also if  vacuum does not have a light and vacuum acts like it has no power these items will also apply. Broken power wire inside vacuum.    
  Defective Motor Armature. Replacement Armatures Replacement motors
  Defective Field Windings. Replacement Field Windings Replacement motors
  Defective Motor Bearings. Replacement Motor Bearings  
  Defective Carbon Motor Brushes. Replacement Motor Brushes Replacement Motor Brushes
  Jammed Fan.    
  Defective speed switch. Replacement Speed Switch  
Vacuum turned on but stopped after awhile.  Motor overheated due to blocked ventilation or dirty filter.    Replacement filters
  Tripped circuit breaker.    
Motor runs too slow Motor binding due to dirt.    
  Defective Carbon Motor Brushes. Replacement Motor Brushes Replacement Motor Brushes
  Burned up Armature. Replacement Armatures Replacement motors
  Burned up Field Windings. Replacement Field Windings Replacement motors
  Defective Motor Bearings. Replacement bearings Replacement Bearings
       
Motor runs too fast Fan is loose.    
  Belt is broken. Replacement Belt Replacement Belt
  Defective field windings. Replacement Field Windings Replacement motors
       
Motor overheats or smokes or buzzes Blocked Ventilation openings    Replacement filters
  Fan jammed or dirty.    
  Worn Carbon Motor Brushes Replacement Motor Brushes Replacement Motor Brushes
  Defective Motor Armature. Replacement Armatures Replacement motors
  Defective Motor Field Windings. Replacement Field Windings Replacement motors
  Frozen Motor Bearings.    
       
Brush will not rotate. Motor is on Broken or loose belt Replacement Belts Replacement belts
  Belt is off drive shaft (Kirby Models).    
  Beater Brush bearings are frozen. Replacement Brushes Replacement brushes
  Power wire broken to power nozzle (Tanks and canisters).   Replacement Power Hose
       
Vacuum cleaner runs intermittently Faulty Power Cord. Replacement power cord Replacement power cord
  Faulty on/off switch. Replacement on/off switch Replacement on/off switch
  Power wire loose or not making good connection - internal    
  Faulty Motor. Replacement Motor Replacement Motor
       
Motor runs in one speed. Two speed models only Defective speed switch. Replacement speed switch  
  Defective Motor field windings. Replacement Field Windings Replacement Motor
       
Weak Suction but motor runs Plugged hose or vacuum head.     
  Canisters and tanks will lose suction when bag is full.   Replacement bags
  Loose fan on motor shaft.    
  Filter and/or exhaust screen dirty or blocked on some models.    Replacement filters
  Puncture in hose causing suction leak. Canister or tank. Replacement Hoses Replacement Hoses
  Air leakage at swivel cap, or attachments.    
  Defective motor assembly. Replacement Motor Replacement motor
  Motor stuck in slow speed - Two speed models.    
  Defective/blocked fan. Replacement Fan Replacement fans
       
Vacuum cleaner is noisy Loose, bent or broken fan. Replacement fan Replacement fans
  Defective bearings. Replacement bearings Replacement bearings
  Check for foreign objects sucked into sweeper and caught in fan.    
  Check for alignment problem with fan or armature.    
       
Vacuum Cleaner does not clean very well - Uprights only Brush height not adjusted properly.    
  Brush worn or clogged with debris.    
  Worn or broken belt. Replacement Belts Replacement Belts
  Belt is off drive shaft - Kirby Models.    
  Wheel height needs adjustment.    
  Head blocked with foreign object.    
       
Cord reel will not rewind Cord is jamming reel.    
  Broken cord reel spring.   Replacement Cord reels
  Loose parts in cord reel assembly.    
       
Dirt leaks from vacuum Cleaner. Dust bag has a hole. Replacement Bags Replacement bags
  Bag not correctly installed.    
  Gasket to seal bag not properly installed or defective. Replacement gaskets  Replacement gaskets


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