Kenmore Progressive thrift store find

[macmansam]

I've always wanted one of the new Kenmore Progressive canisters, but I thought it would be cheaper to keep an eye out for one in a thrift store. I found an older model for $9.99 and bought it right away. After that, I went sears to buy bags and filters. I was smart enough the take a picture of info plate on the bottom because I knew I wouldn't remember what model it was. The number is 29812990 and they couldn't find it listed in their look up flip parts book, so they asked me to bring in the old filthy filter that was left in it. I also wanted to get the newer power nozzle with dirt sensor but was told they only sell them online. I can't find them on the sears website anywhere. After all of that, I went home with some new bags. I put the power switch in the off position and plugged the vacuum in and it turned on. It will only shut off when it's unplugged. How can that be fixed and where can I get the new power nozzle for the current generation vacuums? I'll post some pictures too. I'm excited to restore this.

 

[macmansam]

The vacuum

 

[macmansam]

power nozzle

 

[macmansam]

Sorry if it's hard to make this out

 

[mr_mom]

e bay has powerheads i got one for my kenmore mine is yellow and the main unit is black but i dont care. i dont care to much the ones that swivel they alway turn the other way for me

 

[fan-of-fans]

Looks like you got a good deal. That is a first generation Kenmore Progressive canister, maybe someone else can give the years it was made. And what the problem is with the switch. The exhaust filter on yours is a foam block (high efficiency filter), others used a pleated HEPA filter.

Sears did sell a version of that power nozzle with dirt finder during that time, which should work. The current Progressive power nozzles, however will not work on your machine as the hose and wand connections have changed.

 

[briguy]

Nice find there Sam! I bought one of these new for my parents circa 2000-2001. The model I bought them looked just like your's except their's had the dirt finder on the power nozzle. It also had the electronic controls on the handle. I thought that the electronic control might be a weak point & would probably be the first thing to have a problem if anything. Well they had it until the end of 2010 or so. No issues with the controls. One of the wheels came off the power nozzle & would not stay on, but other than that, it was a great vac.I believe the model I bought for them was just under $500, it was the TOL model at the time. My mom in fact gave it away to a newlywed couple that needed a vacuum. It might still be in use!

They then purchased another Kenmore canister, however sadly the quality of their current one is not the greatest. I also don't like some of the newer attachments on Kenmore vacs.

 

[macmansam]

What would be the best way to clean the hose?

 

[durango159]

I know some of the progressives had circuit boards but this one most likely did not. That being said it is probably a bad switch inside the hose handle causing the suction unit to not turn off. My guess is that you will need a new hose. You can find one on eBay for around $50 new. Look for the metal chrome tip extending out of the plastic gas pump style handle. The handle can be just about any color but should only have 3 way control- off, suction only, suction and powerhead. Should be 3 prongs on swivel head that connects into canister base. You will notice Kenmores and Panasonics with 2 different style "gas pump" style handles with 3 way switch, either one should work on your Progressive.

This is probably around a 1999 model with that power head and it was the introductory series into the Kenmore Progressive. About a year and half ago I completely cleaned and refurbished a green colored one of these, unfortunately I had to scrap the powerhead, needed too many new parts and I got a great deal on a used one from my local vac shop. All of the parts on this machine are very similar to the current on the market Panasonic MC-CG902. See link. All current market Panasonic canisters have the power nozzle design that is found on your Progressive.

Currently on the market the only Kenmore canister with a dirt sensor is the red Progressive with the swivel power head. The wand connection on the swivel powerhead and the white, blueberry, and Intuition canisters is a different setup and will not fit your progressive. Only the Orange 2nd entry level Kenmore has the original CenTec design which would fit this. The power heads for the 2 entry level machines, White and BLueberry models are exactly the same except for wand connection. Lime green is manual cord and disconnect. Orange is original style toe operated quick disconnect. White and Blueberry are new style toe operated quick disconnect. eBay will have some most likely used nozzles.

Kenmore uses CenTec manufactured power nozzles on there vacuums. The vacuums are generally manufactured by Panasonic and branded for Kenmore. The powernozzle on your Progressive is Cen-Tec Quiet Drive CT18DXQD. http://www.centeccommercialvacuums.com/commercial-cleaning-items/CT18DXQD


http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/MC-CG902

 

[durango159]

Here is the Cen-Tec nozzle that you have mentioned you are looking to get. Both power nozzles are very similar. I'm fairly certain they are the same motor. Both use Serpentine belt, both have same 14" double brushed wooden Chevron agitator. Both have bristle up to both edge of nozzle- double edge cleaning. Note that neither one has a suction duct extending around the belt area to reach the far side of the nozzle. Dirt swept in that area has no where to go, a flaw that greatly angers me about CenTec nozzles. Both nozzles have the same carpet height adjustment and motor protection shutoff. I've noticed with these nozzles that if something gets stuck in them it takes the sensor a good bit to react and shut down the nozzle, generally it's faster if I have turn the machine off myself.

The CT18DXQD in above posting has plastic rear wheels, straight nozzle design, slightly higher profile in rear. In servicing there is a separate nozzle area cover to be removed, after taking off top cover.

Pictured here is CenTec CT20DXQD. Rubber rear wheels, which according to some consumers, they've had experience with rear wheels coming off axle, lower profile from many other nozzles. Very bright headlight. You will notice it lighting up the cieling greatly. T shaped nozzles will fit around some chair legs and some other obstacles a little.

Many repair shops like both nozzles. I've heard some argue that the belt on Cen-Tecs is too narrow to really distribute power. My argument is of the suction dection. Overall cleaning performance is good on both, chevron agitator is good, but bristles aren't very long so I imagine they may wear quickly. Motors are very powerful and quiet, and built for many years of use.

Best of luck, let me know if there is anything else I can help with. Try plugging in the machine without hose connected, I'd be curious if it turns on or not. You can see what others or a vac shop may recommend but I wouldn't worry too much about cleaning the hose as I think you will need to replace it in-order for the machine to shut off.

http://www.centeccommercialvacuums.com/commercial-cleaning-items/CT20DXQD

 

[macmansam]

Thank you Rob for all of the information! The vacuum does turn on without the hose attached too.

 

[kirbylux77]

Don't go & buy a new hose....

I will GUARANTEE you it's not the hose that's your problem here. The relay box inside the canister itself is failing here, that's what needs to be replaced. It is not a part that breaks often, they are very reliable....but when they do, the vacuum will not shut off by the handle switch.

If you call Sears Parts & Service, they can send you the part directly, & it's not that expensive- about $25 plus shipping. It is very easy to replace it yourself at home, if you know simple wiring & you can make a note or take a picture of how the wires were wired to the relay box & rewire the new one the same way. The Panasonic MC-CG902 vacuum mentioned above is IDENTICAL except for color, so a Panasonic relay from this model would also work, if you prefer to buy directly from a vac shop.

As far as the DirtSensor PN goes, yes the newer style & older style DirtSensor PN's, like the T shaped one above & yours, will fit your vacuum IF you get the one that uses the older-style wands. BUT you will also need to buy a new wand for it....the DirtSensor PN uses a different PN Neck, which requires a different wand to work properly. The one you have now will NOT attach to the DirtSensor PN, & will not work.

Rob

 

[durango159]

Hi Rob- Kirbylux77! Thank you for catching my error here, I didn't know about the relay box. That's good to know for the future.

Nice name, we're both Rob's!!

 

[electroluxxxx]

as a matter of fact both robs might be wrong

not to offend or anything but it could be possible I have serviced plenty of these in the past and may the relay be not the issue the wires in the handle of the hose have a tendency to come apart from one another. inside the handle there are 3 wires that separate from the wire clamps take a look and see before going the way of the relay. usually a continuity tester comes in handy as well to see if there is a break within the wires of the hose itself

hope this helps

mike

 

[electroluxxxx]

p.s. its an easy fix just reinsert the wires and squeeze on the wire connectors so that they don't come apart again

 

[electroluxxxx]

here is a pic of the wires and wire clamps

 

[macmansam]

I stated earlier that it still runs without the hose connected.

 

[electroluxxxx]

oops lol sorry I didn't catch that I would look to see if someone hard wired the machine. if that is the case then u should look at another control board, you can pick em up fairly cheap off of ebay or better yet find a donor machine at the landfill, garbage night or the local vacuum stores dumpster lol

 

[director12]

The serial number says October 2005.