Vacuum cleaner motor not working: Common Causes & How to Fix
1Vacuum Cleaner On - Off Switch
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
To check if the vacuum cleaner's on-off switch is faulty, use a multimeter to test for electrical continuity through the switch contacts. If testing the switch in both the on and off positions does not show continuity when it should or shows continuity when it should not, the switch likely needs to be replaced. Getting the proper continuity readings when testing the switch contacts in the on and off positions confirms that the switch is working correctly to make and break the electrical circuit as expected.
How to Replace Vacuum Cleaner On-Off Switch:
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Safety Precautions:
- Start by unplugging the vacuum cleaner from the power source to ensure your safety during the replacement process.
- Access the Switch Compartment:
- Open or remove the vacuum cleaner's cover or access panel to gain access to the switch compartment.
- Identify the Old Switch:
- Locate the old on-off switch, which is typically positioned on the vacuum's handle or control panel.
- Disconnect Wires or Terminals:
- Carefully disconnect the wires or terminals connected to the old switch. Take note of their placement for reconnection.
- Remove the Old Switch:
- Depending on your vacuum model, the old switch may be secured by screws or clips. Remove these to release the switch.
- Install the New On-Off Switch:
- Position the new on-off switch in the same location where the old one was, making sure it fits securely in the mounting space.
- Secure the New Switch:
- Reattach screws or clips to secure the new switch in place, making sure it's firmly attached.
- Reconnect Wires or Terminals:
- Reconnect the wires or terminals to the new on-off switch, following the same configuration as the old switch.
- Close the Cover or Access Panel:
- Securely close and fasten the vacuum cleaner's cover or access panel, making sure it's properly in place.
- Plug in the Vacuum Cleaner:
- Reconnect the vacuum cleaner to the power source, making sure it's properly plugged in.
- Test the On-Off Switch:
- Turn on the vacuum cleaner and test the new on-off switch. Make sure it effectively controls the vacuum's power.
- Final Checks:
- Confirm that the vacuum cleaner operates as expected with the new on-off switch, both turning on and off reliably.
2Vacuum Cleaner Drive Motor
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
To troubleshoot a vacuum cleaner drive motor that is not running, first use a multimeter to check that the power switch has continuity and electricity is reaching the motor. If the switch is good, inspect the blower wheel to ensure it rotates freely without obstructions. Providing power is supplied to the motor and the wheel turns uninhibited but the motor still fails to operate, the drive motor itself will likely need replacing. Testing the power switch and blower wheel are initial steps to take before replacing a non-functional drive motor in order to confirm the issue is with the motor itself and not another component.
How to Replace Vacuum Cleaner Drive Motor:
-
Safety Precautions:
- Begin by unplugging the vacuum cleaner from the power source to ensure your safety during the replacement process.
- Access the Motor Compartment:
- Open or remove the vacuum cleaner's cover or access panel to access the motor compartment.
- Identify the Drive Motor:
- Locate the drive motor, which is typically positioned within the vacuum cleaner and connected to the brushroll or beater bar.
- Disconnect Power Wires:
- Carefully disconnect the power wires connected to the drive motor. Take note of their placement for reconnection.
- Remove Mounting Screws or Fasteners:
- Depending on your vacuum model, there may be mounting screws or fasteners securing the motor in place. Remove these to release the motor.
- Detach the Old Motor:
- Gently detach the old drive motor from its mounting position, taking care not to damage any wires or components in the process.
- Install the New Drive Motor:
- Position the new drive motor in the same location where the old one was. Make sure it's properly aligned with the brushroll or beater bar.
- Secure the New Motor:
- Reattach the mounting screws or fasteners to secure the new motor in place. Make sure it's firmly attached.
- Reconnect Power Wires:
- Reconnect the power wires to the new drive motor, following the same configuration as the old motor.
- Close the Cover or Access Panel:
- Securely close and fasten the vacuum cleaner's cover or access panel, making sure it's properly in place.
- Plug in the Vacuum Cleaner:
- Reconnect the vacuum cleaner to the power source, making sure it's properly plugged in.
- Test the Drive Motor:
- Turn on the vacuum cleaner and observe the new drive motor in action. It should effectively drive the brushroll or beater bar.
- Final Checks:
- Make sure that the vacuum cleaner's drive motor functions correctly, facilitating efficient cleaning.
3Vacuum Cleaner Fan Motor
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
When troubleshooting a vacuum cleaner fan motor that is not operating, start by using a multimeter to test the power switch for continuity in order to verify electricity is able to reach the motor. If the switch has continuity, the next step is to inspect the blower wheel and confirm it can spin freely without any blockages or obstructions. If the switch is providing power to the motor and the blower wheel rotates uninhibited, but the fan motor still fails to run, the issue likely lies with the motor itself needing replacement. Conducting initial checks of the power switch and blower wheel will help determine if the root cause is the fan motor before replacing an otherwise functional part.
How to Replace Vacuum Cleaner Fan Motor:
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Safety Precautions:
- Begin by unplugging the vacuum cleaner from the power source to ensure your safety during the replacement process.
- Access the Motor Compartment:
- Open or remove the vacuum cleaner's cover or access panel to access the motor compartment.
- Identify the Fan Motor:
- Locate the fan motor, which is typically positioned within the vacuum cleaner and responsible for creating suction.
- Disconnect Power Wires:
- Carefully disconnect the power wires connected to the fan motor. Take note of their placement for reconnection.
- Remove Mounting Screws or Fasteners:
- Depending on your vacuum model, there may be mounting screws or fasteners securing the motor in place. Remove these to release the motor.
- Detach the Old Motor:
- Gently detach the old fan motor from its mounting position, taking care not to damage any wires or components in the process.
- Install the New Fan Motor:
- Position the new fan motor in the same location where the old one was. Make sure it's properly aligned with the vacuum's suction system.
- Secure the New Motor:
- Reattach the mounting screws or fasteners to secure the new motor in place. Make sure it's firmly attached.
- Reconnect Power Wires:
- Reconnect the power wires to the new fan motor, following the same configuration as the old motor.
- Close the Cover or Access Panel:
- Securely close and fasten the vacuum cleaner's cover or access panel, making sure it's properly in place.
- Plug in the Vacuum Cleaner:
- Reconnect the vacuum cleaner to the power source, making sure it's properly plugged in.
- Test the Fan Motor:
- Turn on the vacuum cleaner and observe the new fan motor in action. It should create effective suction.
- Final Checks:
- Make sure that the vacuum cleaner's fan motor functions correctly, providing sufficient suction for cleaning.
4Vacuum Cleaner Motor Brush
Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
To troubleshoot a vacuum motor that is not running, first use a multimeter to check the power switch for continuity to verify electricity is reaching the motor. If the switch has continuity, inspect the blower wheel to confirm it rotates freely without blockages. If power is being supplied to the motor and the blower wheel has no obstructions but the motor still fails to operate, examine the motor brushes for any signs of burns, excessive wear or other damage that could prevent them from properly conducting electricity. Testing the power switch and blower wheel can help isolate the issue before inspecting the motor brushes to determine if brush replacement is needed to get the motor running again.
How to Replace Vacuum Cleaner Motor Brush:
-
Safety Precautions:
- Start by unplugging the vacuum cleaner from the power source to ensure your safety during the replacement process.
- Access the Motor Compartment:
- Open or remove the vacuum cleaner's cover or access panel to access the motor compartment.
- Locate the Motor Brushes:
- Identify the motor brushes within the vacuum cleaner. These brushes are usually positioned near the motor, often secured with screws or clips.
- Remove the Old Brushes:
- Carefully detach the old motor brushes. Depending on your vacuum model, they might be held in place with screws or clips. Remove these fasteners to release the brushes.
- Inspect the Brushes:
- Examine the condition of the old brushes. If they are worn, frayed, or significantly shortened, it's time to replace them.
- Install the New Motor Brushes:
- Position the new motor brushes in the same location where the old ones were. Make sure they fit securely and align with the motor's contacts.
- Secure the New Brushes:
- If necessary, reattach the screws or clips to secure the new motor brushes in place. Make sure they are firmly attached.
- Reconnect Wires:
- Reconnect the wires to the new motor brushes. Make sure the wires are attached to the correct terminals, maintaining the same configuration as the old brushes.
- Close the Cover or Access Panel:
- Securely close and fasten the vacuum cleaner's cover or access panel, making sure it's properly in place.
- Plug in the Vacuum Cleaner:
- Reconnect the vacuum cleaner to the power source, making sure it's properly plugged in.
- Test the Motor Brushes:
- Turn on the vacuum cleaner and observe the new motor brushes in action. They should make proper contact with the motor's commutator.
- Final Checks:
- Confirm that the vacuum cleaner operates smoothly with the new motor brushes, providing efficient cleaning performance.