Central vacuum issue

omgwtf · 10-12-2012, 06:45 PM

I have recently installed a central vacuum into our new house which came with 3 outlets and a vacuum pan roughed in. The vacuum worked flawlessly for about a week but now it won't turn on using the switch on the hose. I have tested the wiring and its fine so I think the issue is either with the vacuum itself or the hose. The weird thing is though that opening the vacuum pan will still turn the vacuum on. Also if I put the hose in the outlet sideways jumping the connectors it will turn the vacuum on but will obviously not be controlled by the switch.

So far to trouble shoot I have:

confirmed the hose is properly seated in the outlet
checked all wire connections are good
hooked a spare outlet up directly to the vacuum with a short piece of wire and it still wouldn't turn on
tried a second hose and it still wouldn't turn on

The vacuum is a Kenmore 600 air watt central vac built by Electrolux.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

cleveman · 10-13-2012, 12:22 AM

You might start by putting your location in your profile.

This has me somewhat mystified.

Your floor dustpan is working, as are all your inlets if you jump them.

Your hose won't work, nor will another.

The only conclusion I can come up with is that both of your hoses have bad switches/connections.

We know that isn't the case.

I would start by switching out the inlets with new ones. Maybe the plugs have been ruined somehow. Maybe the hose plug doesn't fit in properly anymore.

Strange how 3 inlets stopped working with the hose, but they still work if you jump them.

I have had some problems with the hoses not working. In such a case, I have first cleaned the rings around the male part of the insert. Secondly, I have disassembled the grip of the hose assembly and cleaned it.

I have also had some problems with the sensors on the inlets. I have solved this by cleaning them. I also push at them a bit.

Let us know how you come out and hopefully others will chime in as well.

creeper · 10-13-2012, 06:08 AM

Is it dead with and without the powerhead. If its just the powerhead, some models have a push button right on top of the head itself.

Do you change the bag lately. Forgot to reinstall the filter? or line up the bin properly?

Another outlet some left slightly open

Clean the sensor on the outlet ^^^^

omgwtf · 10-13-2012, 10:15 AM

I have tried changing 1 of the inlets and it still didn't work.

And yes this is both with and without the power head.

I'm not a central vac expert by any means but this has me stumped.

I have a sears technician coming out on the 23rd as the vacuum is still under warranty but I'd like to figure it out on my own.

omgwtf · 10-13-2012, 12:28 PM

Yes I am in Canada and the vacuum is a rebranded Electrolux. I will try and post pictures soon.

cleveman · 10-13-2012, 11:30 PM

If the technician is coming on the 23rd, I hope you didn't buy your toilet from the same place.

omgwtf · 10-14-2012, 09:05 AM

Yeah I know it's a long time to wait but it still works just not the way it should. I may just take the hose in and see what they say.

10-12-2012, 06:45 PM	#1
omgwtf Newbie Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: canada Posts: 4	Central vacuum issue I have recently installed a central vacuum into our new house which came with 3 outlets and a vacuum pan roughed in. The vacuum worked flawlessly for about a week but now it won't turn on using the switch on the hose. I have tested the wiring and its fine so I think the issue is either with the vacuum itself or the hose. The weird thing is though that opening the vacuum pan will still turn the vacuum on. Also if I put the hose in the outlet sideways jumping the connectors it will turn the vacuum on but will obviously not be controlled by the switch. So far to trouble shoot I have: confirmed the hose is properly seated in the outlet checked all wire connections are good hooked a spare outlet up directly to the vacuum with a short piece of wire and it still wouldn't turn on tried a second hose and it still wouldn't turn on The vacuum is a Kenmore 600 air watt central vac built by Electrolux. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Last edited by omgwtf; 10-12-2012 at 06:49 PM.

10-13-2012, 12:22 AM	#2
cleveman Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: zentral Iowa Posts: 774	Central vacuum issue You might start by putting your location in your profile. This has me somewhat mystified. Your floor dustpan is working, as are all your inlets if you jump them. Your hose won't work, nor will another. The only conclusion I can come up with is that both of your hoses have bad switches/connections. We know that isn't the case. I would start by switching out the inlets with new ones. Maybe the plugs have been ruined somehow. Maybe the hose plug doesn't fit in properly anymore. Strange how 3 inlets stopped working with the hose, but they still work if you jump them. I have had some problems with the hoses not working. In such a case, I have first cleaned the rings around the male part of the insert. Secondly, I have disassembled the grip of the hose assembly and cleaned it. I have also had some problems with the sensors on the inlets. I have solved this by cleaning them. I also push at them a bit. Let us know how you come out and hopefully others will chime in as well.

10-13-2012, 06:08 AM	#3
creeper Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: As always..beside myself. Posts: 3,493	Central vacuum issue Is it dead with and without the powerhead. If its just the powerhead, some models have a push button right on top of the head itself. Do you change the bag lately. Forgot to reinstall the filter? or line up the bin properly? Another outlet some left slightly open Clean the sensor on the outlet ^^^^

10-13-2012, 10:15 AM	#4
omgwtf Newbie Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: canada Posts: 4	Central vacuum issue I have tried changing 1 of the inlets and it still didn't work. And yes this is both with and without the power head. I'm not a central vac expert by any means but this has me stumped. I have a sears technician coming out on the 23rd as the vacuum is still under warranty but I'd like to figure it out on my own.

10-13-2012, 12:28 PM	#5
omgwtf Newbie Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: canada Posts: 4	Central vacuum issue Yes I am in Canada and the vacuum is a rebranded Electrolux. I will try and post pictures soon.

Central vacuum issue