Repairing Dirt Devil upright vacuum

Hello Everyone (Especially Upright Vacuum Experts),

The brush roll on my Dirt Devil (Model #091210S) upright vacuum stopped spinning while I was vacuuming recently (I didn’t hit anything or go over anything- it just stopped in the middle of vaucuming). I have done all the basic troubleshooting, and it’s still not working. I’ve removed the housing and accessed the brush roll to clean out the few carpet fibers that were there (there was nothing there that would have caused it to stop spinning). The little belt that attaches to the brush roll motor and to the brush roll itself is still very tight. I checked the hoses that lead to the bagless filter and all’s clear. The brush roll bearings seem to be fine- I can manually spin the brush roll just fine. I just don’t know what the problem is, and I’m hoping someone will be able to help me figure it out. I’m wondering if it’s the relay that’s in the handle of the vacuum. I had to replace this relay once before. Though I’m not positive, my recollection is that the on/off indicator for the brush roll wouldn’t go on, which is probably why I knew the relay was the problem. However, now, the brush roll indicator light still lights up green when the vacuum is in use…yet it doesn’t spin. For this reason, I’m not sure that there’s anything wrong with the relay switch this time. Anyway, again, the model number for this Dirt Devil is 091210S (if it helps, it’s a blue and grey/silver upright vacuum). Though I’ve had it for a number of years now, it seems to me that it’s been underused, and therefore has some life left in it. Any help anyone can provide will be much appreciated. I should also say that I’m fairly handy, so please don’t hesitate to direct me to specific parts of the vacuum, etc..

Thanks in advance!

~hlpmehlpmyprnts

 

The part in the handle with the green light is a combination switch and circuit breaker for the brush motor. A known failure part but since the light is coming on.... it should be good.

In the following link there is a microswitch, part 36, that is located near the motor. I'm not 100% sure what it's function is but it may be activated when you select hard floor or rug. That switch interrupts power to the brush motor. I'd start there.

Dirt Devil 091210S- Vacuum Parts

 

Can you check if there is power to the motor? If no power, then you work back up to the switch to see if it is functioning properly.

- Peter

 

PJ Max,

Thanks for your response! Other than replacing that microswitch and seeing if that 'does the trick', how do I determine if that part is faulty or not?



Peter,

Thanks also for your response! How do I check to see if the motor is getting power?

 

You'd need a basic test meter. Something that has continuity and voltage measurements on it. Places like Shack, Depot, Lowes sell basic meters starting around $15. A good tool to have around.

The circuit is pretty basic. It leaves the green brush power switch as 120vac. It goes to a rectifier assembly (part 24 in diagram) where it is converted into DC voltage. It then goes thru that microswitch and then to the motor. The motor will have two leads on it that you can connect the meter to read DC voltage.

 

PJMax,

Is the "basic test meter" you mentioned the same thing as a multimeter? If so, have one of those!

~hlpmehlpmyparents

 

They are one in the same.

 

PJmax,

Ok, got it. I'll give it a whirl. I'll you know what I'm able to figure out, or if I have any additional questions. Thank again!

~hlpmehlpmyprnts

 

PJMax,

There is a little black relay (with 4 prongs coming out of it) between the microswitch (part 36) and the motor. It's the little part that I'm holding up with the pencil in the attached photo. I'm sure you're familiar with it. It looks like this part is faulty because there is power going into it but nothing coming out of it. Do you agree with my assessment? If so, can I remove this part and connect the wires without this part to see if the brush roll starts working?

Thanks!

Best,
~hlpmehlpmyprnts

 

That part is a bridge rectifier. It is a block of four diodes. 120v AC is sent into it and +120 v DC comes out of it. So you need to set your meter to DC and check the two wires that go to the motor.

As I mentioned previously..... that is part # 24 in the parts diagram.

 

PJMax,

Just a quick follow-up post to thank you for helping me to isolate the problem. Apparently, the brush roll motor itself is the issue. It looks like I'm going to get a new vacuum instead of buying a brush roll motor for it. Either way, thanks again for all your help, PJMax!

All My Best,
~hlpmehlpmyprnts