Kirby Safty speed switch
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rugmaster37
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 611
How do I disconect a speed switch of of a kirby classic 3.
Evan,
It's been a hot minute since I worked on a Kiby that old, but here's a brief explanation on how it goes. You will want to remove the phillips head screw that holds the plastic speed switch to the front of the fan housing. BE VERY CAREFUL not to tighten it on accident, becasue that plastic is brittle and will break. however it's still available from Kirby if it does break. just save yourself the money by following the "Righty tightey lefty loosey" thought process.
It should pop off with mild pressure at that point. coming up from a little tunnel should be a large plastic tube with three wires coming from it. You will want to make a drawing of which colors go into what holes on the bottom of the switch. One is a postive lead, one is the lead going back to the motor for low speed (or carpet cleaning mode). And the other goes back to the motor for high speed (or tools cleaning mode).
It's VERY important you make a drawing of which wires go where, or you could end up with a motor that is always on high to vacuum carpet, and low for suction. Using a Kirby on high speed at all times will cause unneeded motor wear. I i remember correctly the hot lead or the positive lead is black, the low speed lead is white nad the high speed lead is red???
Do not quote me on that....
Chad
Ann Arbor Michigan...
Evan,
It's been a hot minute since I worked on a Kiby that old, but here's a brief explanation on how it goes. You will want to remove the phillips head screw that holds the plastic speed switch to the front of the fan housing. BE VERY CAREFUL not to tighten it on accident, becasue that plastic is brittle and will break. however it's still available from Kirby if it does break. just save yourself the money by following the "Righty tightey lefty loosey" thought process.
It should pop off with mild pressure at that point. coming up from a little tunnel should be a large plastic tube with three wires coming from it. You will want to make a drawing of which colors go into what holes on the bottom of the switch. One is a postive lead, one is the lead going back to the motor for low speed (or carpet cleaning mode). And the other goes back to the motor for high speed (or tools cleaning mode).
It's VERY important you make a drawing of which wires go where, or you could end up with a motor that is always on high to vacuum carpet, and low for suction. Using a Kirby on high speed at all times will cause unneeded motor wear. I i remember correctly the hot lead or the positive lead is black, the low speed lead is white nad the high speed lead is red???
Do not quote me on that....
Chad
Ann Arbor Michigan...
rugmaster37
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 611
uhm......Let's try here so you have some time to think t
You can call me later, but I'm real bad at explaining over the phone. As I see what I write out, I can see if I can follow my own directions...LOL
That said, I will try to explain this some more....
PART 2-
The ends of the wires, coming out of that little tunnel, sheathed in thick plastic are stripped at the end. There are no screws, or other devices really holiding in the wire per se'in the switch.... These wire ends are hardened with some sort of material (possibly solder); to prevent fraying. These "ends" simply are held in by pressure from a spring
like metal strip up inside.
(God I wish I had a manual I could scan here)...
What this means is in summaration ( and noticing that no one else has the temerity or has agreed to add to add anything), is that you can use a pair of needle nose pliers, and grip the wire(s) up by where they enter the plastic switch; and GENTLY pull downwards. The wires will come out with some force, BUT not TOOO MUCH force. The springs will give way, and the wire SHOULD pop out.
When you go into replacing the switch after buffing, you take these hardened wire ends, and firmly seat each wire up inside the switch thru the proper hole(s), using the needle nose pliers if you need to to have additional leverage. If the spring inside has caught the wire, you should NOT be able to just pullout the wire by gently tugging with just your fingers.
Oh yeah, there isn't a whole lot of wire available to work with so it may seem like you're working in cramped quarters to complete this. You may mash your fingers, or get some sort of boo boo. Kirbies used to me make me swear till it made the air in my shop as purple as can be....
Chad
You can call me later, but I'm real bad at explaining over the phone. As I see what I write out, I can see if I can follow my own directions...LOL
That said, I will try to explain this some more....
PART 2-
The ends of the wires, coming out of that little tunnel, sheathed in thick plastic are stripped at the end. There are no screws, or other devices really holiding in the wire per se'in the switch.... These wire ends are hardened with some sort of material (possibly solder); to prevent fraying. These "ends" simply are held in by pressure from a spring
like metal strip up inside. (God I wish I had a manual I could scan here)...
What this means is in summaration ( and noticing that no one else has the temerity or has agreed to add to add anything), is that you can use a pair of needle nose pliers, and grip the wire(s) up by where they enter the plastic switch; and GENTLY pull downwards. The wires will come out with some force, BUT not TOOO MUCH force. The springs will give way, and the wire SHOULD pop out.
When you go into replacing the switch after buffing, you take these hardened wire ends, and firmly seat each wire up inside the switch thru the proper hole(s), using the needle nose pliers if you need to to have additional leverage. If the spring inside has caught the wire, you should NOT be able to just pullout the wire by gently tugging with just your fingers.
Oh yeah, there isn't a whole lot of wire available to work with so it may seem like you're working in cramped quarters to complete this. You may mash your fingers, or get some sort of boo boo. Kirbies used to me make me swear till it made the air in my shop as purple as can be....
Chad
hoover28
Well-known member
remove wires
use a pin by pushing it in next to the whire and then pull out the wire.
hope this helps
call me if you need help
Chris
use a pin by pushing it in next to the whire and then pull out the wire.
hope this helps
call me if you need help
Chris
