No suction below when carpet mode or bare floor mode selected Lots of suction with wand

Hi Debra, it's Jack at Dyson.

This issue sounds very unusual - it sounds like the changeover valve mechanism is damaged. However, you may want to double-check that there are no obstructions within the changeover valve which could be preventing it from working correctly. Our video guide will walk you through each step:

If you'd like further help from our experts after giving this a try, you're welcome to contact the Dyson Customer Helpline directly. If a repair or a replacement part is needed, our experts will be able to confirm whether this is covered under your Dyson warranty.

You can reach us by calling 0800 298 0298 (UK), 1-866-693-9766 (US), 1-877-397-6622 (CA) or 1800 239 766 (AU).

Hi there, it's Jack at Dyson.

I'm sorry to hear you feel your DC40 has too much suction. This sounds unusual, and in order to help you resolve things we would need to take some further details about your machine, and the particular flooring type you're having difficulty with.

When you have your machine to hand, please call us directly so we can talk you through some simple troubleshooting checks to make sure everything is correct with your DC40. You can reach us on 0800 298 0298 (UK), 1-866-693-9766 (US), 1-877-397-6622 (CA) or 1800 239 766 (AU).

We'll look forward to speaking with you.

I think it is normal. My favorite setting is the dial is turned to bare floor. If you set your vacuum to hose, then you need to adjust the height (do not set the dial to the bare floor).

There's no switch per sey, but there is a clutch activation knob, on the right side of the base, as you're standing behind the unit. There should be a Carpet or Hard floor setting, just two. Twist it to change from one to the other. However, all this is meant to do, as far as I know, is to turn on the brush roll or turn it off, by means of a clutch system. I don't think it has anything to do with the wand assembly.

There is a ball valve between the wand hose and the base hose. It can get stuck in the "base" mode, which won't then redirect suction to the wand hose. There is a spring under the cup that the open end of the hose rests in. When you release the wand from the holster with the one-touch quick release, that spring pushes the cup up and turns the ball valve to the wand setting.

1. Unplug the vacuum.
2. Using the one-touch quick release, remove the wand from the holster.
3. Verify that the wand "cup" is indeed in the higher position. Do this by pushing on the bottom of the cup with your finger. It should easily depress.
4. Remove the wand hose from the main unit using the quick disconnect feature. Put your fingers into the hole and feel to the right. You will feel the closed valve, verifying that it is stuck in "base" mode.
5. Using a screw driver, insert the tip at the TOP of this valve and gently pry it downward. This shouldn't take much force.
6. Reassemble the hose wand using the quick connect feature and reholster the wand.
7. Plug in the unit and verify that the base unit has suction.
8. Remove the wand from the holster and verify IT has suction.

This is normal. The roller brushes aren't needes on bare floors. They are used to brush lint, hair, etc. from the carpet that the suction itself wouldn't get.

This is the entire assembly that you would need to replace. According to the technician that serviced mine, DC18 is prone to fail in this area due to owner's use or abuse in my case (LOL). He said forcing the handle to stand upright after you finished vacuuming puts a stress on the plastic hook that rotates the valve from floor mode to wand mode. The trick there is when you replace the handle to upright, you have to step down on the wheel to the floor. It cost me $70 to have it replace. Since I still have it on warranty, only the labor is no charge. The damage on my machine I admitted is not workmanship or material defect but improper use of the machine. I hope this helps. Just beware of some Dyson Authorized Service Center that wheel and deal you for something like, the carpet fresh powder caused your machine to clogged and blah blah. You will know if the problem they tell you is not even close to the ones I discussed.

Please define "works" on carpet mode" do you mean when you say it does not work at all, that it does not run, or does not have suction.
This sounds like the symptom of a clogged hose with blockage like this another vac needs to be used to draw things back out of the hose the way they went in.. Remove the hose and try dropping a penny through it . If there is an obstruction the penny will stop at that point and rattle inside the hose.

With a blockage at the hose, your power head will still lift lint and light soft dust, it will appear to have suction because the brush will sweep but the dirt will not go all the way through the hose.
Please post back to clarify if this is a vac that does not run or simpley has no suction

The neck in your power head is likely clogged. Disconnect from the wand and look inside. Also check the wand.Since you have suction on the bare floor the hose is likely not blocked.

It sounds like there is something wrong with the latching assembly. GO to the Sears Parts website and enter your Model number. Look at the parts assembly for the Nozzle, and the problem will be in one of items 12 through 17.