What better way to honor my dad on Father's Day than by trying to fix something about which I am clueless.
I turned to Professor Google for help and learned that replacing a vacuum cleaner switch is a relatively simple, four-step process:
1. Disassemble enough pieces to get to the switch.
2. Look at the wires and make sure they're firmly attached.
3. Use a continuity tester or multitester to check the circuit.
4. If all else fails, replace the switch.
I was reasonably confident of being able to do steps 1, 2 and 4. The tester thing? Heaven help me.
To my delight and amazement, I actually have – and found – two tester things in my garage.
Do I know how to use them? Hell no. But it turned out they weren't necessary.
It became obvious at step 2 that I should probably replace the switch.
I'm pretty sure the connection isn't supposed to be black or melted.
After a little more googling, I ordered a replacement switch online and it's working its way to my mailbox.
Smooch: You're never going to figure out how to put this back together.
Me: If you wouldn't drag so much dirt in the house, I wouldn't need it.
Isn't it fine when we can just fix a problem OURSELVES? No calling the repair place. No "buy a new one". It is the principle of the matter that a genius did not assemble the device and it does not take a genius to fix it. I fixed my vent hood that way. I took the housing off and it just happened that the wire connectors had shaken loose over time. I also saw that no one had ever cleaned it in the ten years it had been installed. EEW! It is always good to know what is inside the machines we depend on.
ReplyDeleteMy stove was overheating and it cost me $80 for a repairman to come to my home and take my stoves temperature and tell me the same thing! He said "it may be this it may be that" blah blah blah blah blah but it will cost about $300 to fix, maybe you should buy a new one. Um, no and goodbye! Hello google. The part cost me $60 which included over night shipping. I did have borrow the special screw driver it required from my neighbour, but and hour later and minimal swearing this middle aged thrifty gal had it fixed and my stove temperature is now normal!!!
DeleteI bet your Dad would have loved this post.
ReplyDeleteThe inside of my vacuum cleaner is a dog hair disaster.
ReplyDeleteJust turn your leaf blower loose in the house until the new switch arrives! LOL.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I tried to comment yesterday but my iPad wouldn't cooperate. Anyway, thumbs up for Sunday Leftovers. :)
Perhaps you should consider a small backup option for the 'ahem' indoor chores? There are some dry-sweep options or a small hand-held type vacuum. I spotted a dust-varmint yesterday in my bedroom, but got sidetracked. I guess it's still there :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the switch replacement. At least you found a part! Did you order a spare?
M in NC
Yep, it sure looks like the switch is mighty burnt. You brave woman, you!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the replacement. I'm confident you'll get r done.
BA SP
I admire your ability to fix things...but for me, it would have been the perfect excuse to go shopping and buy a new one!
ReplyDeleteYou have too many fun things to do, to spend your time vacuuming. Order a Roomba -- the pet hair version. Then you can have a new form of entertainment - watching Smooch's reaction.
ReplyDeleteBrave and courageous LInda! it is true that half the fixing pissues ares solved when one uses patience and time to assert the problem.
ReplyDeletevery organized taking apart the vacuum surgery area eh! ;) I LUV being able to order on line, no clueless wandering around isles in the big box stores asking where I can find this thing a ma jig switch thing.
ReplyDeleteFabulous way to celebrate your Dad! It's so great to figure out stuff without the help of a $$$$ repairman/woman. I have been known to take pictures of something as I was taking it apart so I would know how to reassemble it when I was done.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is - good luck with that! (this from years of experience of taking mechanical things apart that I can't get back together!:)
ReplyDeleteI always admire your tenacity when it comes to repairs and fixes. Your Dad would have loved this post. Next to the boot toe UFO that is.
ReplyDeleteGood for you!! Don't ever take an electric iron apart. My Dad (who could fix almost anything) did and all the bits and pieces exploded out in very random order.
ReplyDeleteYou have your father's fix it genes. I'm sure he is smiling and enjoying the repair.
ReplyDeleteI have lousy luck w/ vacuum cleaners...in fact have a non working hoover that I have to figure out myself. So empathy. I don't know why they break down so much or why only the $2,000 ones seem really durable? Altho at least for me maybe it's good since I generally never look at the manual till distress call! Back to the horror of cleaning here too... Ann from Maine
ReplyDeleteI would never know how to put that thing back together...well maybe if it involved a couple of adult beverages and youtube, I could possibly do it.
ReplyDeleteOpen all doors.... use your leaf blower! done..... Sandy, Edgewood, NM
ReplyDeleteI learned how to take things apart and put them back together from watching my Father, who owned a tractor and farm implement repair shop. That skill has served me more times than I can count, especially with lawn mowers. I usually find that taking it apart and putting it back together fixes whatever was wrong, except of course in your case, where wires and such are melted. Happy assemblage!
ReplyDeleteMy hat's off to you, Linda. I would probably just have gone out and bought a new one.
ReplyDeleteI use vacuum cleaner for dog's hair.
ReplyDelete