My vacuum cleaner will run for a few minutes and then shuts off. The plug light on the panel blinks. I thought the motor was shut, but after a long time it will turn on again, but again, only for a few minutes and then shuts off again. Any ideas? I bought an Oxygen Ultra a few years ago, but I don't like it nearly as much as the old Epic.

change your filters both of them Emer Vacuums Vacuum Cleaner PartsVacuum Cleaners Powered by Network...

Vacuum cleaners have electric motors in them that require proper airflow to pass over them to keep them cool. Many vacuum cleaners have a thermal (heat) sensitive shut off mechanism built in. This mechanism should prevent the burn out of the motor. If you run a vacuum too long with a clogged hose or clogged filters (especially bagless vacuums) or clogged bags, that is essentially choking the vacuum for air and not allowing it to breath properly. This will cause it to overheat and shut down. Most of the big box store purchased vacuums have very thin wires in the motor windings and can only do this a few times before the motor completely fails. If your vacuum has been shutting down, then cooling off and restarting after about 30 to 45 minutes, then shutting down after only a few minutes of use, your machine is probably clogged up or the filters are compacted.

There may be as many as three air filters in the vacuum. Remove and thoroughly clean all of them and try again.
Gary

Sounds like overheating of motor operating a thermal cut out ..Clean all filters you can run machine with no filters fitted to try if okay first.....

It's possible the thermal reset is defective. It shuts the motor off if it gets hot. Remove the bag door and take the bag off, remove both filters and then turn the vacuum on, just leave it sit there with the motor running. This eliminates the bag or filters causing any airflow resistance. If it still shuts off after a few minutes it's likely the thermal reset is bad. Some vacuums have an external thermal reset button which can be replaced if necessary but on your model it is built into the motor and you must replace the motor. If the motor runs fine put the bag and the filter under the bag back in - (make sure the filter is clean and not restricting airflow) put the bag cover on then turn it on again. If it overheats and shuts off then you may have a clog on there somewhere restricting the airflow. If so check the power nozzle area, the hose coming from the power nozzle, the extension hose and wands for clogs or restrictions.

could be caused by bad bearings in the motor or bad carbon brushes and a worn commotator on the armature. check the cord where it connects to the top of the handle on the swivelling strain relief. usually the cord fails there .

It sounds like it's draging on the motor Also heating up the thermister switch. I would recomend having this look at from a vacuum repair shop ask for free estimates if you call around. save some $$$

Probably a hose clog. Check the hose on the back of the cannister. Most likely clogged where it attaches to allow debris into the cannister. If cannister is not filling up, that's a sure sign. To remove from top of back of cannister, just turn the ring on the end of the hose to release. Take it outside and push a long thin object through it to force out the clogged hair or debris. The motor is designed to shut off the vacuum cleaner for 30 minutes when this happens to avoid burning up your motor.

http://www.geeksquad.fixya.com/ThreadView.aspx?prdid=0&thid=560313
Generic problem for all Vacuums
The machine shuts off!! Will restart
Posted by mjzimmervt on Apr 30, 2008
The machine shuts off!!
Will restart after a few minutes,
but shuts right off again...

Hello,
I would advise you to ALWAYS to FIRST UNPLUG YOUR VACUUM before beginning any service procedure.
Not knowing the brand name or model number of the vacuum, some vacuums have a thermal switch or thermal shut off switch to protect the motor and once the motor gets hot the vacuum will shut off, or the vacuum could very well be clogged and the air is not getting through to the motor to keep it cool. Please check your owner’s manual under the trouble shooting section or cal the factory / manufacturer to see if the can send you an owner’s manual (OM) or you can download the OM from the manufacturer’s website. Next time include the brand name and model #. ? So if you need further assistance, please feel free to contact your local vacuum cleaner dealer in your area or in the yellow pages, or contact the factory phone number or website to further assist you with your questions.
Don – The Vac Man
Go Ahead. Use Us.

If both batteries are behaving the same way then this is probably a charger problem. When you insert the battery pack into the charger does the 'charging' light blink for 30 minutes (fast charge) then go steady? I noticed that one of my batteries was causing the light to come on steady immediately I inserted it into the charger. When I tried to use the battery pack I got the same problem everyone else is seeing, i.e. vacuum cleaner shuts off in less than a minute, so I conclude that when the charging light is on steady then the battery is not being charged.

If the charging light does not blink when you insert the battery (i.e. comes on steady or not at all), try removing the battery and re-inserting it into the charger.

Try a conditioning cycle on your battery packs. To do this:
* Insert the battery pack into the charger
* Before the charging light lights press the 'condition' button located just above the charging light.
* The 'conditioning' light should blink. This is a light which does not normally illuminate, and it is located below the condition button and above the charging light. The charger fan will run quieter in this mode.
* Leave the battery pack in the charger for 24 hours while this cycle is taking place.

I'm not a service technician so perhaps someone else might like to post other solutions or corrections to this one.