At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box above.
- Better answers use proper spelling and grammar.
- Provide details, support with references or personal experience.
Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.
Tip: The max point reward for answering a question is 15.
More than likely you have a short in your power cord. however if you want to know for sure take machine apart until you can put an elec meter on switch where cord is attached. plug machine in and test the end of cord that is attached to switch if you have 120volts at that point its your switch thats bad. if you have no voltage or anything less than 110volts at the switch replace cord
If you have tested the cord with a voltage meter, and are sure it is good, there are several other possibilities. The Kirby is designed so that it will not start unless the bag assembly and rug head ( or attachment hose ) are fully in place. Be sure the fiberglass housing at the bottom of the bag is tight against the side of the motor unit. If this is not the problem, your switch has probably failed and needs replacement. A less likely problem on a machine this new is that a carbon brush in the motor has either become badly worn, or is stuck in it's holder and will need replacement.
Determine if the headlight works before anything else. If the light works but the motor won't you have power thru the vac and the problem is internal possibly motor brushes... or a loose wire on the inside connecting to the switch. If the light goes out is likely a switch or cord problem. Switches on these vacs break more often than cords. What you see on top is the switch button, not the actually internal switch, however a switch does not normally fail while the vac is running, that sounds more like a loose connection or a bad cord. So isolate the cord. Unplug it at both ends and plug lamp ( or test meter) into the cord into the cord and gently wiggle where the plug end meets the cord. If the lamp goes on and off the issue is the cord. You can buy a replacement specific to the Kirby series and plug it in yourself. If this s does not isolate the problem, take it to a service center. Kirby is very intricate inside.
This COULD be the cord. I had a cat chew my cord and so I had to take it in to a Kirby dealer and have it replaced and it worked fine after that. Another reason could be that the motor needs rehauling. I also had to have this done once and it cost me around $69.00 , I believe. But my Kirby of course was 10 times that so it was worth it.
Reason number 1 (not sure why Kirby Co. still has not fixed it) -improperly installed outer bag. You have to push the bag all the way tothe unit so it presses the safety switch that is between exhaust andthe vacuum shell
Reason 2 - defective cord - try wiggling it. Ifyou know how to do it - try removing cord and supplying power directlyto the unit using another cord or wire (ONLY if you know how to workwith electricity.If you get zapped - do not blame me)
Reason 3 - bad power switch (instructions on how to replace it HERE)
PROBLEM: THE KIRBY WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Please note......The Kirby has TWO safety switches that need to be engaged before it will operate. One is on the fan case in the front. It is activated by having an attachment attached to the front. (hose, power nozzle, etc.)
The other switch is on the side of the Kirby where the cloth bag attaches and is engaged by the little tab that sticks out from the side of the hard plastic cloth bag "boot". The bag boot MUST be completely engaged to activate the safety switch and allow the Kirby to power on. If you are having trouble getting the bag to properly engage, (sometimes they are STUBBORN) simply lubricate the black gasket that the boot fits onto with gasket lubricator, VASELINE, or try a tiny drop of DISHWASHING DETERGENT or HAND CREAM. It doesn't take much, so use the smallest amount possible to get the desired effect. You should hear a slight "pop" when the bag completely engages.
If neither of these things are indicated, it is probably again, either the power cord, switch or the carbon brushes.
If your Kirby is sparking there are a few causes...
PROBABLE CAUSE (MOTOR): Worn out carbon brushes, bad armature or perhaps BOTH PROBABLE CAUSE (CORD): The cord has a short in it. Replace the power cord PROBABLE CAUSE (POWER NOZZLE): There is something metallic stuck in the fan or power nozzle
I think you have a problem with the carbon brushes and amature because of where you describe seeing the sparks. I would suggest taking it to an authorized dealer for repair if it is the motor that is going bad.
There are 2 safety switchs, one on the front that the nozzle activates, and one on the side that the bag asembly activates. The motor brushes and/or armature maybe bad.
×