Kirby Heritage II won't turn on

[hoovers4080]

Hi, Good afternoon

I have a Kirby Heritage II that I purchased on ebay.
It is an american Kirby that uses american (110-120v) to work.
I live in Europe and the voltage here is 220-240v

So I bought a transformer to convert the voltage from 220v to 120v and the vacuum worked fine for many months.

One day my sister was vacuuming and the Kirby started dying until it stopped.

The transformer is ok because I also have a Hoover Celebrity QS, also american, and it works with the transformer.

The red light on top of the Kirby shines when I press the power button but the vacuum doesnt turn on, only the light. and the light shines but weak.

I just am affraid that the engine or something else fried with the voltage difference. However it was plugged to the tranformer when the vacuum died.


could someone help me?
I really love my Heritage II

 

[louvac]

It could be

as simple as the motor brushes. Check them first. Or it could possibly be the speed switch controller in the front of the machine.

 

[dysonman1]

If the red 'power on' light is lit, then it could only be either the carbon brushes have worn down (especially if the machine was used a lot on high speed with the hose), or the hose or a nozzle isn't correctly mounted on the front. It's VERY rare for the actual speed control switch to go out. Remove what ever is mounted onto the front, turn ON the Kirby so the red light glows, and press in on the safety switch/speed control lever. If the machine doesn't run - check the carbon brushes. If the machine does run, remount the nozzle correctly so it presses the speed control properly.

 

[sptyks]

It's the Brushes...

The fact that the machine was running fine then started slowly dying out indicates to me that the carbon brushes are at fault. Not to worry, there are videos on Youtube that show step by step, how to replace the brushes yourself.


 


 

 

[hoovers4080]

Thank to all of you for your help.

It was the carbon brushes indeed. I already replaced them and my Kirby works like new.

Big thanks!!!

Best regards from Belgium