Difficulty

Easy

Steps

3

Time Required

                          10 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

1

  • Electrical
  • 3 steps

Flags

2

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  • BackKenmore 400 Series Vacuum Cleaner

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Introduction

Our housecleaners buy 3-4 of these low end canister vacuums per year. They like them because of the light weight, but they don’t last. Usually it’s the hose. Here’s what I did to troubleshoot and then get them running again (one day when they did not have a spare in the car).Covered models include:

  • 400 Series Model 81414 (125.81414610),200 series Model 81214Kenmore Elite 21814

Add yours to this list if it matches the guide.

What you need

Step 1

              Jump Start
  • This miserable design actually sends line voltage up the hose to the switch, and back down again.
  • If your vacuum is completely dead silent, chances are one of the wires in the hose broke.
  • To start the motor without the hose, get insulated clip leads, apply power, and short the left and right terminals together. If the vacuum starts, you’re on the right track.
  • WARNING: Be extremely careful not to touch the exposed contacts when the vacuum is powered in this state.
  • You can also place a small bit of #14 or #12 stranded insulated wire between the two terminals, leaving enough space for plugging in the regular wand. You won’t have switch control, but the thing will work.

This miserable design actually sends line voltage up the hose to the switch, and back down again.

If your vacuum is completely dead silent, chances are one of the wires in the hose broke.

To start the motor without the hose, get insulated clip leads, apply power, and short the left and right terminals together. If the vacuum starts, you’re on the right track.

WARNING: Be extremely careful not to touch the exposed contacts when the vacuum is powered in this state.

You can also place a small bit of #14 or #12 stranded insulated wire between the two terminals, leaving enough space for plugging in the regular wand. You won’t have switch control, but the thing will work.

1024

Step 2

              Replacing the Swivel
  • The wire may have broken in various places, but chances are it’s broken at the swivel connector.
  • According to “sears parts direct” this model is “too new to have replacement parts”. However some parts appear similar to prior models.
  • The following parts are made for a prior model, but appear compatible: KC92PBZTZV06 KC92PBZTZV06.
  • Installation instructions can be found on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqjXhGDl…

The wire may have broken in various places, but chances are it’s broken at the swivel connector.

According to “sears parts direct” this model is “too new to have replacement parts”. However some parts appear similar to prior models.

The following parts are made for a prior model, but appear compatible: KC92PBZTZV06 KC92PBZTZV06.

Installation instructions can be found on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqjXhGDl…

Step 3

              Disassembling the Handle & Switch
  • The problem could also be in the handle, which like everything about this vacuum is difficult to service.
  • Remove one screw at the rear of the handle to release the top plate. Now pull. Hard. Straight up. Yes, in this miserable design the motor speed switch is friction fit.
  • Remove the rest of the screws to fully snap the handle apart (mine was stiff).
  • New switches are available, but you’ll need a soldering iron and soldering skills for large wires to do work here.

The problem could also be in the handle, which like everything about this vacuum is difficult to service.

Remove one screw at the rear of the handle to release the top plate. Now pull. Hard. Straight up. Yes, in this miserable design the motor speed switch is friction fit.

Remove the rest of the screws to fully snap the handle apart (mine was stiff).

New switches are available, but you’ll need a soldering iron and soldering skills for large wires to do work here.

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Author

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                    Bryce Nesbitt

Member since: 11/30/2014

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Sofia - Jun 6, 2022

Reply

the part of the hose that connects to the actual canister is what I believe the issue is. It came apart and when I put it back in nothing happened. Some of the wire clips (they look copper) that are inside of it look broken. Can I just buy a another hose?

Bill - yesterdayJan 22, 2023