Bissell proforce vacuum model 3522-5

Have you checked the internal filtration system?

Greetings,

The bag full indicator on most vacuum cleaners is not completley fool proof. Most vacuums will just register a loss of suction, and they will then illuminate the bag full indicator, whether or not the bag is full.

If you've changed the bag, and the machine is still indicating a full bag, then this could mean one of two things.

1. Dirty Filter. According to the part diagram for your vacuum, there is a filter underneath of the vacuum cleaner bag (Bissell Part Number
203-1013) that is there to protect anything from getting into the motor. Since the filter is located before the motor, most refer to this as a pre-motor filter. Sometimes if this filter is really dirty, it can cause the vacuum to loose suction, which will also cause the bag full indicator to incorrectly display. Simply clean this filter by running it under warm water, then allow it to completely dry before replacing it in the vacuum. While the filter is out of the vacuum you can turn it back on and test to see if the light is off now that the filter is out. If the light goes off, then you have found the problem! If the bag full indicator is still on, please see the next possible problem.

2. Clog In the Vacuum. If the vacuum was run with a full bag, and when you removed the bag, the bag was completely jammed full, then your vacuum cleaner may be clogged somewhere. When the bag is packed full of dirt, the vacuum continues to try and put more and more dirt in the bag, even if it's full. Sometimes the dirt will even start accumulating inside the hose as it has no other place to go. The first place you should check is the hole that you connect the bag to. Remove the new bag that you installed and examine the hole that the bag connects to inside the vacuum. Can you see anything stuck here? If yes, do your best to try and dislodge it. If you're not able to visibly see anything here, your clog may be inside the hose, or even in the base of the vacuum.

If you have another vacuum cleaner this will really help you in clearing the clog. With the other vacuum, take the suction hose of the good vacuum, and connect it to the hose on your Bissell (still while the bag is removed, and the bag housing door is open). When you connect the hose of the other vacuum, can you hear a difference in the motor? Does the motor start running at a higher pitch when it's connected to your Bissell? If yes, then you've narrowed it down to a clog in your hose. If you can feel suction from the other vacuum through the hole that the bag connects onto, and the good vacuum's motor doesn't change noise when connected to the Bissell, then your clog is in the bottom section of the vacuum. You can sometimes stretch out the hose of the Bissell while the other vacuum is attached, and this will dislodge the clog.

If you don't have another vacuum, simply remove the hose from the Bissell completely. I believe that there maybe 2 screws that hold this hose onto the back of your Bissell, simply remove these two screws, and remove the hose. An easy way you can clear clogs is to take the hose outside, and use a water hose that has a pressurized nozzle on it, and spray down the hose while holding the hose of your Bissell vertically to allow gravity to work its magic. You can also stretch out the hose of the Bissell to get maximum benefit of gravity and the water.

If the clog is in the lower part of the vacuum, it is usually right at the suction port behind the roller brush. This is the most narrow part of the vacuums suction intake in the lower part of the vacuum, and is prone to clogs. Simply remove the four screws on the bottom of your Bissell to remove the bottom plate. Look behind the roller brush to where the suction port is to see if you can see any clogged debris.

If this doesn't help clear your clog, or fix the bag full indicator, I'd really like to try and diagnosis this further with you. Please just use the Clarification Request or add a comment and explain what happend after trying these things I mentioned above. I'll be more then happy to try and assist your further. I really hope that this was helpful to you. If you found this helpful, please be kind and rate my repair by clicking the thumbs up icon in the review.

Thank you very much,

Chris J.

Did you change the belt recently? Some belts can go on backwards (blowing out through the filter) and cause this problem. Hope this helps and good luck!

drop a marble or something similar through the hose to see if its clogged

Worked perfectly. Thanks, jade_greeney. We thought we were going to have to shell out $100+ for a new vacuum.

take all the filters out put the dirt cup back in then try it again.3 filters 1 on the bottom of the dirt cup and one above the dirt cup and one in front at the bottom behind the little door.if thats not it at the bottom on the right side you will see a clear hose thats your intake hose,one screw holds it on,take it out and bend a coat hanger so the tip is rounded ,then work it down into the clear hose ,you should be able to push the clog out through the bottom

I had that problem and it was indeed a clog in my hose. Even though I couldnt see it because it was way in there.

Check the dirt inlet down by the brush roll for a clog. Also check the hose for a clog. Usually a clog is what causes this type of problem.

Sounds like either the hose or the inlet down by the brush roll is clogged.

Usually when dust is blowing out it is caused by a clog, either the hose, or the dirt inlet down by the brush roll is clogged. Check them and clean them out and you should be ok.