Kenmore Model 116 PowerMate Jr stopped working

If the roller brush is not spinning freely once you remove it from the Power Mate Jr., then I have discovered the solution! There are end caps at each end of the roller brush. They seem to be permanently attached, but they are not. There is an axle inside the roller that is permanently attached to one of the caps. Take two pairs of pliers, and grab each end cap with a pair of pliers. Then pull hard to take them off. Once they are off, you will find that there is a big glob of hair wrapped around the axle inside. Remove the hair. Then reassemble the brush by putting the end caps back on. Make sure, when you put the caps back, that they are aligned so that they will fit back into the slots on the Power Mate Jr. You have to push hard to get the caps back on, maybe tapping one of them with pliers.

Take apart the brush roller and remove any hair spooled up in it . If the belt has cogs then don't replace it , ,if it is just a stretch belt it has too be replaced yearly .

I have the same problem and have found there is a fuse on the Powermate Jr. motor, it is under the white sleeve on the black motor wire, now can i buy just the metal inline fuse or easier to buy a new unit for about $35.00!?

I have the same issue, but the dowel appears to be the problem. It no longer spins freely, even when not connected to the belt/motor. Sears Parts direct has the part for $10, though I can't tell if the unit inlcudes the pin and the end caps, which are sold separately. Note that the Powermate jr has it's own model number, separate from the vaccuum (you'll need this if you start your search using a model number). Here is the link to the part: http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/showPart.pd?partNumber=8192013&productGroupId=0020&supplierId=116&brandId=x&documentId=P0202179&keySuffixId=NA&modelNumber=x&keyId=000009&pageId=00001&productTypeId=x&searchModelNumber=116C85PBPK0V022&subCompDesc=Power%20mate%20(jr)&brandDesc=KENMORE&modelDesc=POWER-MATE-(JR)&backToLink=Return%20to%20part%20list#recommendedQuanity

Solution #2 and #4 worked like a charm...thanks!