Vacuum Cleaner Over-heats and Cuts Out - Can I Fix It?

I’ve had this Vax upright for about 5 years. Recently it’s started to cut off when I’m using it. I feel the base - and it’s hot. Any ideas for anything that I can do to fix it?

I’m not technically minded but I will have a go - if it will save me having to buy a new vacuum.

Edit: many thanks for all the replies and advice.

SkepticElliptic ,

I would start by taking it apart and cleaning it. If there’s too much additional load from hair or whatever getting wrapped up in the roller then that would do it.

insurgenRat ,

Yep you can! Just make sure you don’t work on it plugged in and be careful around any capacitors if you’ve run it recently. They can hold charge

Rambler OP ,

Good advice 👍

bassdruminphonebox ,

There’s a TV series called “The Secret Life of Machines” from the 1990s, which has a whole 30 min episode about vacuum cleaners. I think it’s wonderfully presented - funny, clear, entertaining, gives a good understanding for how to grapple this sort of problem. youtu.be/CJlrbMHLBd4?si=G2X40txUnYn3iUA1 I think mains powered vacuum cleaners haven’t changed much since, so it’ll probably still be good information, although it won’t get in to battery powered models, because those are newer.

Rambler OP ,

That sounds good, I’ll check it out. Thanks.

SamVimes ,

While there is a certain level of innate technical mindedness that people have… Being willing to try to fix it, and the lessons you’ll learn from either fixing it or not is huge. Regardless of outcome hopefully the experience will be somewhat fun and pay dividends in terms of being able to recognize where vacuums get bound up with clogs, hair, etc. Occasional deep cleaning will make all the vacuums in your future live longer and suck harder.

Projects that are ‘either it gets fixed or tossed’ are great, there’s so little pressure, and so much you can learn.

Feel free to ask more specific questions if you get deep inside it and come up with them!

DJDarren ,

I inherited my Nan’s Dyson DC25 when she went to live in a care home. Used it a few times and it was fine, but figured I’d strip it down and give it a damn good clean out.

The fucking thing damn near sucked up my carpet.

It’s still going strong now. Had to replace the little nubbin that drives the brush bar a few weeks ago, but other than that it’s still solid. Not bad for a 15 year old vacuum cleaner made to modern standards.

autumn ,

my current vacuum is going on 11 years. pretty proud of that $200 purchase. i’ve had 2-3 dogs at any given time, and this thing is a champ.

nyan ,

I can beat that: we’ve got a metal-bodied Viking vacuum from the late 1960s that I believe is still in functional condition (although not often used anymore, thanks to Roombas). It survived decades of pet hair.

aperson ,

Just to echo what everyone else is saying, it looks like there are a bunch of guides on how to disassemble your vacuum online. Follow one of those as far as you’re comfortable to go, and clean everything along the way.

Psynthesis ,

You will also want to make sure the filter isn’t clogged up. Most overheating is going to be an airflow issue. You can also look up online how to pull it apart and check components. You may also have a loose power connection somewhere. Make sure the vacuum is unplugged before you mess with it.

Shdwdrgn ,

If you know someone with an air compressor, try blowing the dust out of the motor. Check for hair wrapped around the metal shaft of the motor.

Also check for hair wrapped up around the brush (take off the bottom plate and remove the whole brush, there’s usually a lot of crap around the ends where the brush spins).

graphito ,
@graphito@beehaw.org avatar

Check for debris and cloggs anywhere you can

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