How to remove cord rewind button on a kenmore vac clnr model 116 22612201

SOURCE: pwr cord rewind reel

You have to pop the grey button off for the cord rewind. There is one more screw under there. You have to be very careful, because you can break one of the tabs that hold the button on. In fact, it is almost a garuntee. There are three tabs that stick off the button that hold it in place on the orange hood. There's a long tab about 3/4 inch long on the inside corner of the button you need to be careful of. Good luck!

SOURCE: How to remove the

i found the problem... screws on top under the cord rewind bar

SOURCE: open power cord housing on kenmore 116 vac

You can go to the Sears Parts Direct website and type in your Model number. It will return both an exploded view and parts list, with pricing for replacement parts. You can also order from them, and they can tell you stock status as well.

SOURCE: Bosch cannister vac: Cord is stuck--won't rewind

It probably is, these cords are usually 15-25' long ;-)
What you can asssume is that the cord is simply twisted upon itself and doubled up so cannot easily come out, and will not go in... therefore.
Pull gently on the cord and twist in a clockwise direction. Does the cord seem to get a bit longer? If not, or if it gets tighter, try counterclockwise. If you keep trying eventually it will loosen and you can fully extend the cord. Compare this to holding a piece of string between your hands by the thumb and index fingers. Hold one end still and twist the other 20 times (twisting the string). then relax the string between your hands. See how it immediately forms a loop? That is the problem with your cordreel too. There is a loop in there that we need to undo. Now pull a bit so you can still see the loop, and then start untwisting to see what happens. You can also do this with a YoYo ;-)

Be patient, observe, sensitize your tactile senses and see if you can figure out which direction loosens your cord - and get it out ;-)

Good Luck
Hopefully you wont have to take it all apart. that cordreel spring is very strong. Be careful if you do go in there.

SOURCE: cord rewind nonoperational

sounds like the spring is either over stretched or broken. you may have to have the spring replaced