Back wheels not turning.

check belt under unit if ok possible build up of hair in bearings not letting wheels move

It's an issue that the front roller isn't engaged. there's usually a belt connected to the roller on one side of it. That belt is connected to the same motor that develops the suction. You have to find that area and either pull the belt over the motor and/or the brush. Close it back up and turn it on again.

There is a cable that goes from the handle to the base, the cable or the plastic piece it attaches to at the base of the vacuum may me broken.

Move the carpet height control switch to a higher position if the vacuum is difficult to push. If the setting is too low for the carpet being cleaned, the brushes press against the floor preventing the vacuum from moving easily.Set to a medium-high height setting then check.Slide the "Self-Propel" button to the "ON" position if the cleaner does not self-propel. -----------
The self-propel feature operates only when the cleaner switch and the self propel button are both ON. ---------- Try this settings and check.This should help.Thanks.Helpmech.

Hi There,

When a Hoover Windtunnel becomes hard to push, this usually indicates that self-propelled has stopped working.

When this stops working, it can be caused by several things. The first, most common problem is that the belts have either broken, or stretched to a point where they no longer engage the self-propelled mechanism. In order to verify this, simply make sure that the machine is set to the Carpet setting, turn the machine on, and turn it over on it's side with the handle release pedal reclined (make sure it's not in the upright position). Is the brush at the bottom of the vacuum spinning? If no, this definitely indicates that your belts have gone bad and need to be replaced. There are two belts on your machine, one controls the brush, the other controls the self-propelled mechanism. We've shot a helpful video that walks you through step by step on how to replace the belts.

This is by far the most common problem that we see on your particular model:


The other problem if the belts are installed properly that would cause the self-propelled wouldn't work would be the self-propelled actuator arm. There is a cable that starts at the handle of the vacuum, and runs all the way down to the floor head of the vacuum that controls the transmission. As you pull backwards on the handle of the vacuum, the cable pulls this actuator arm backwards, which then turns the wheels backwards, and when you push forward it turns the wheels forward.

The problem with the way it's designed however, is that if you pick up the vacuum cleaner by the handle of the machine rather then using the carrying handle on the back of the vacuum, it causes too much tension on the actuator arm, and will cause the cable to rip right out of the arm.

This is a VERY common problem on this model. To check and see if this part is broken on your vacuum, step on the handle release pedal so that the handle is in the vacuuming position, push the pedal a second time so the machine lays flat on the floor.

Now if you look right behind the height adjustment switch, and the rug / floor switch where the floor part meets the upright part, you should see a cable that connects into the actuator arm. Pull up and down on the handle and look for movement. Is the cable loose with only a nut attached to it, or is it resting in the actuator arm?

Here's a very helpful link that shows you exactly how to replace the actuator arm:
How to Replace the Actuator Arm on Hoover Self-Propelled Windtunnel

If this didn't help you, and the problem is still happening, please just use the add a comment form here on Fixya and let me know that you're still having problems. I'd be honored to go through and do some more advanced diagnosing with you.


I hope this we helpful to you. If you did find this helpful, please be so kind and leave feedback for me. This is why repair professionals like myself continue to come back and give free repair advice, to get the recognition of a job well done.

Thanks so much,

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

There are really two reasons why the self-propelled wouldn't work. It could either be the belts on the vacuum cleaner are stretched or broken. The belts on this model control both the self-propelled transmission, as well as the brush roller. Here's a video that shows you how to inspect the roller brush and belts to make sure that they are installed properly and working. Try this repair first, as this is the easier one to fix.


The other problem if the belts are installed properly that would cause the self-propelled wouldn't work would be the self-propelled actuator arm. There is a cable that starts at the handle of the vacuum, and runs all the way down to the floor head of the vacuum that controls the transmission. As you pull backwards on the handle of the vacuum, the cable pulls this actuator arm backwards, which then turns the wheels backwards, and when you push forward it turns the wheels forward.

The problem with the way it's designed however, is that if you pick up the vacuum cleaner by the handle of the machine rather then using the carrying handle on the back of the vacuum, it causes too much tension on the actuator arm, and will cause the cable to rip right out of the arm.

This is a VERY common problem on this model. To check and see if this part is broken on your vacuum, step on the handle release pedal so that the handle is in the vacuuming position, push the pedal a second time so the machine lays flat on the floor.

Now if you look right behind the height adjustment switch, and the rug / floor switch where the floor part meets the upright part, you should see a cable that connects into the actuator arm. Pull up and down on the handle and look for movement. Is the cable loose with only a nut attached to it, or is it resting in the actuator arm?

Here's a very helpful link that shows you exactly how to replace the actuator arm:
How to Replace the Actuator Arm on Hoover Self-Propelled Windtunnel

If this didn't help you, and the problem is still happening, please just use the add a comment form here on Fixya and let me know that you're still having problems. I'd be honored to go through and do some more advanced diagnosing with you.


I hope this we helpful to you. If you did find this helpful, please be so kind and leave feedback for me. This is why repair professionals like myself continue to come back and give free repair advice, to get the recognition of a job well done.

Thanks so much,

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

Hello,

I believe that you're asking about the Hoover Windtunnel Self-Propelled upright, but I can't be sure. I've posted a video below that we recorded showing how to replace the belts on your Hoover WT. If you have a different model then this, please just add a comment to this repair of the make and model and I'll be more then happy to walk you through.


Thank you,

Chris J.
GoVacuum

Your self propel wire could be broken. Lean the vacuum back like you were using it. If you stand in front of the vacuum look down and to your left. When you move the selp propel button you should see a wire move. If not then it's broken.

Sounds like the transmission might need an overhaul. Take it to a local vacuum repair shop and have them look at the transmission.

Hi there SmartAlec from NelsonVacuums.com.au here. Ok on this particular machine the belts strtch quite a bit and make the machine very hard to push even though the belts seem to be ok. I would recommend first making sure that the driving self propell is actually working at all. Tip the machine on its back all flat and turn it on. When you push handle up and down you should see a pair of wheels spinning one way then the other (corresponding to the way handle is pushed or pulled). As long as the wheels are moving then it is just that the wide flat belt just needs changing even though it is not broken. If the wheels are not turning at all even though belts are in place then you have a more sinister problem that will require a technition to check over.
hope this helps!
happy Vacuuming :)