Electrolux 2100 not turning on.

[gvacuumf]

Electrolux 2100 serial number F21417E Made in Canada. Not sure if this is vintage or contemporary.

The green power light is on, no other light is on.

I hit the power switch and it seems firm and clicks, but nothing happens the motor does not come on.

The bag switch seems to be working as the spring action is fine. That said when I remove the bag and close the now empty vacuum non of the lights other than the green power light comes on.

I tried rotating the control valve dial back and forth, it did not help.

Is there a way to access and replace the control valve without opening the main body of the machine? Can I just snap off the blue plastic mount on top of the machine to access the control valve? I as able to lift the dial off but that did not get me very far.

Any other ideas as to what I should do?

 

[vacuumlover]

It could be a failed switch or it could be the carbon brushes have worn too much thus not making proper contact with the comutator.

Just a thought though.

Also I notice this is your first post, welcome to the site

 

[gvacuumf]

I was getting an ozone type smell for a while so it may be the brushes. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[vacuumlover]

Sounds like the brushes now you mentioned the smell.

No worries

 

[dysonman1]

I believe it might be the switch. Here's why: the 'no bag light' would come on when you press the switch with no bag in the machine. The fact that, without a bag, the light does NOT come on, means the switch is not putting forth power to that light. While it's possible the carbon brushes are worn down, you'll need to replace the switch first before you can start the motor in any event. During my 23 years running my vacuum cleaner sales/repair shop - I've replaced several hundred Electrolux plastic bodied canister switches.

 

[gvacuumf]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

The on off switch and control valve are mounted on top of the vacuum in a blue cover. Is there a way to remove the blue cover without opening the vacuum body? I realize I will have to do that anyway due to the motor brushes but it would be nice to see it go on before I do that.

 

[gvacuumf]

I opened it up and while I did not separate the halves I was able to use a screw driver to shift the switch from on to off and back. The Vac did come back to life including the ozone smell.

So all I have to do is buy a new button for the switch assembly, I do not need to replace the actual electric switches?

 

[gvacuumf]

It appears to be the black rocker arm has a piece broken that shifts the switches back and forth. I could actually hear the broken piece knocking about but did not know what it was.

I was able to remove the button, thinking I would be able to operate the vacuum using a screw driver to flip the switches. This does not seem possible as next to the switches is a bellows mechanism.

Is there a way to operate the vacuum without the button? Right now what happens is with the door open both the bag full and bag missing light are flickering on and off. When I push the bag switch the bag full light comes on full.

Did I screw up?

 

[gvacuumf]

OK I got it running again. Thanks all. There are 2 switches I needed to throw.

Probably should have just taken it to a dealer. Except there are fewer and fewer around.

 

[vacuumlover]

I suggest you do replace it sometime as you might experience problems with it later.