Hoover Convertible Model 32

[KirbyCollector01]

Today I got this Hoover here. It's in great shape but for some reason it won't turn on. It's refurbished and I don't know what's wrong with it. Maybe a short out in the cord but I'm not sure. Any thoughts?

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Here's the switch

 

[vac-o-matic]

Congrats!

I don't do repairs, however do have an extensive convertible collection. That red switch is probably the original switch, and they do fail.You never know when the last "click" will be it's last. Yours was manufactured between 1960-1962. The cord looks original as well with the original Hoover embossed plug. The colors were Clover pink and pearl white. That is a replacement bag, the original would've been of vinyl in the color to match the hood. The original took C type bags, but yours might take Hoover A type or Eureka F&G. They're really good carpet cleaners. You mentioned "refurbished", do you know who did it? Since Hoover was made in Ohio for years, hopefully you can find a switch at a local vac shop, I doubt they still make them but not sure. There are some wonderfully informed Hoover collectors on this site who will know way more than I do, hope you get it up and running!

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Thank you vac o matic, I will try to get it working.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

It very well may be the switch. They do go bad

CArbon brushes could also be faulty/worn/shot.


  Great cleaner.  And, while you're at it,  you'll want to get that Eureka! bag off it.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Ok thank you

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I have 2 of these and my brother had one, as well

The color is actually "Canyon Coral". Production began on December 5, 1960 and ended on March 13, 1962,  manufacturing 194 thousand plus units. It suggested retail price was $74.95. A great machine.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Wow

That's a lot of machines
What does canyon coral look like?

 

[sptyks]

Thomas: see the pictures in the Opening Post.


 

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Ok

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Ok, it's the pink
Got it

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Hoover had all kinds of wild colors.

Sometimes, the names didn't reflect the actual color at all.
I met Frank, a former colorist at Hoover. He was amazed that I knew some of those old colors. It must hae been wild working there at t he time.
John

 

[akabent]

Troubleshoot!

Hello Thomas.  This is fairly easy to trouble-shoot, or at least eliminate some of the possible issues.


 


    Remove the handle at the yoke (one single screw/bolt.  Use large screwdriver)  The handle literally unplugs and (again, literally) has a 'traditional' electrical outlet at its base.  Plug a known/working lamp or small appliance (that you know is in the "ON" position),  into the base of the handle, then the vac cord into the wall and flip the switch in the handle.  If the appliance does NOT come on, it is somewhere in the vac plug/cord/vac switch/ handle.  I would then examine the cord/plug next, then consider the switch (which actually is offset, meaning it is improperly installed inside the upper handle.)


 


Hope this helps.      P.S.  If you have a smaller-ended extension cord or older Kirby cord, plug the female end of the cord into the prongs inside the yoke/base of your Hoover and plug the cord into the wall.  THAT should make the vacuum run unless it is a base/motor issue.  Both of these 'tests' are actually all pretty straight-forward and should be easy to do.


 


Rick

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Thank you for the suggestion
I will try it