Trash Find—Electrolux Diplomat

[human]

So I rode over to a friend's apartment earlier today to drop off some supplies she had asked for and as I was leaving, I spied a familiar looking hose and wand sticking up from behind a discarded couch next to the dumpster. It turned out to be an Electrolux Diplomat canister with what appears to be a generic replacement hose (has a power switch), wand and power nozzle. Needless to say, into the car it went.

Upon closer examination, let's just say it's got some issues, which I have documented in the photos below. So let's take each piece in turn.

The Canister—Overall, it's not exactly beat up but it's missing the control knob on the top and the cord, which was probably cut off. Interestingly, the bag had been removed and the bag compartment is pretty clean. The exhaust filter is uniformly charcoal gray and has no brand markings. Definitely needs to be tossed. The power switch has a nice, solid click to it, so it's probably okay.

The Hose—As previously mentioned, the hose appears to be a generic replacement. The handle has a power switch and does not have an Electrolux logo. It's also missing a screw on the underside where the handle would plug into the wand but the plastic isn't broken (easy fix and I probably have an extra screw).

The Wand—Appears to be completely intact. There is some tape just below the plastic sheath. I'm thinking it's to hold the cord from the power nozzle in place. I think somebody got tired of it coming unplugged, which does happen occasionally.

The Power Nozzle—It's an L-shaped 'Omniflow' style with a headlight and appears to be in great shape. There's a bit of long, dark hair wrapped around the brush roll but no sign of carpet fresh powder, nor are there any foul odors.

So, what have I got? Based on a visual inspection only and no actual testing, it appears that everything except the canister itself is in usable condition. I don't know much of anything about the newer plastic canisters so I'm not sure if it's even worth saving. I'd hate to spend money on a new cord only to find there's something more serious wrong with it so my inclination is probably to trash it unless y'all can convince me otherwise. The hose is of no use to me because it has the newer style machine connector but I'm wondering whether I could transfer the handle over to another hose. I happen to have one that came with my Silverado and is in need of a handle. The other option, of course, is to replace the missing screw and sell it. Of course, the wand and power nozzle are the best parts as they are likely to be plug-and-play usable without anything more than a good cleaning with a Lysol wipe.

Speaking of Lysol wipes, I haven't brought the thing into the house and won't for a while. Right now, it's on the deck, baking in the sun. Let the UV rays work on some of the germs it may be carrying. Needless to say, I've washed the hell out of my hands since touching it. I'm thinking I'll probably carry it down to the barn and let it sit for a few days before I mess with it further.

 

[blknblu]

It is worth fixing, I have a couple of original motors for them, and the cord is easy to repair.
The control valve is easy to bypass, and keep things simple.
There is a proper way to split the case to work on it.

 

[lesinutah]

Fix

The control you could get a eureka dial a nap dial and glue it on.
Other options are online or vac shop might have the job in stock for super cheap.
Nice find.
Les

 

[human]

The hose handle is now fixed. I found a screw out of the broken handle from my Silverado's hose but it was too short for missing one from the generic handle; however it would fit at the other end, allowing me to use that one, which is slightly longer than the genuine Electrolux screw, to replace its missing counterpart. Problem solved. I recall having to do something similar with the generic replacement hose that came with my Diamond J. I then connected the wand and power nozzle to one of my 1205's and powered it up. They work just fine, even the power nozzle's headlight and power switch.

So that leaves the canister, which is a bigger project/problem. I must admit blknblu, you have me intrigued. Can you point me to a resource that shows how to bypass the control valve? I found a YouTube video that shows how to take the case apart to repair the switch. The more immediate issue would be a cord. I'm guessing the easiest thing would be to replace the whole winder assembly. They seem to be plentiful on eBay. Once that's in place, we'll see whether it needs a motor.

 

[jo]

Testing

You can test the power nozzle if you have an old radio or mixer power cord with the two prong female end then plug it into a standard outlet. It’s 120 volt. Info provided to me from an Electrolux repair person.

For the machine you will need to open it up to gain access to the cut off cord end and put on a plug then test with an extension cord. To open it up, open the bag door then side the slide the side bumpers off towards the bag door. You’ll see that everything hangs from the top of the machine so you may want to flip it upside down when doing this step. The back end will likely flop off when you open it so don’t be too surprised.

You may not really need the automatic control dial since the inside one is there, but you’ll need to see if you need to write an arrow on the machine for setting the dial to the correct number with a permanent marker. If it starts then immediately stops and the icon with a bag filled with dots comes on then you may need to turn the automatic control dial to a different setting. If you don’t have any bags, you’ll need to test it holding the bag missing switch around the bag rim in or the ? Symbol will light up indicating there’s no bag. It’s usually a tiny switch near the bottom right corner of the bag set rim where the cardboard top of the bag sits on.

Looks like the hose is likely ok needing that screw.

So there you have the testing options to see if the power nozzle and vacuum motor works and I’d say if the motor is dead scrap the unit and sell off the hose, power nozzle and wands.

If the motor runs you’ll need to obtain a new cord reel with cord in tact which there usually are some on eBay and I think any for the plastic canisters will work. That would be the easiest. I don’t know much about the cord reel systems on the plastic canister machines as I never had one until just several months ago and they are both in very good working order but I did need to open one up to fix a problem with the automatic control dial which was misoriented.

Follow up on what you find! Fun to see what you may have here.

Jon

 

[jo]

No need to bypass the control valve

Looks like just the top dial is missing but the main and most important one is there so the automatic control system is likely in tact. You probably can get one at an Aerus dealer...sometimes they’ve been nice to give me used parts free if it’s something small like this. The missing dial dial just allows the lower dial to be more decorative and point to the markings on the top panel...but once you figure out which end is the 1 setting and which is the 6 setting then you will know where an arrow could be drawn with permanent marker on the top to lime up the dial and use the numbers on the dial itself rather than trying to obtain the replacement top knob.

Didn’t realize you had another Lux to try the on but good idea. The loose cord can be dealt with by unplugging the pn from the sheath cord, then use a tiny flat blade screwdriver to bend in the curved top of the feels left contact prongs a bit. There is a split in the middle of the curved section. Then the cord should stay in tighter if it’s nit unplugged frequently, but if the power nozzle is removed frequently to use a floor brush with the power wand, it’s just better to get a new sheath cord. The cord can be replaced by sliding the metal tube out of the sheath but first you have to lift up the locking tab with a flat blade screwdriver. It’s just inside the slot below the silver top push button lever you use regularly to release the handle. Once you lift the metal tab, holding it lifted, slide plastic collared the end of the metal insert out of the sheath. Then you’ll be able to push the sheath cord into the sheath so it can drop out of the end.

 

[kloveland]

The control knobs that I have used are keyed. Maybe the older ones aren't. It could also be why they threw it out. Many of those control valves go bad. The plastic stem breaks on the inside. If you pull the knob straight out and see bits of plastic then you know it's broken.

 

[human]

After reading the above posts and watching a couple of YouTube videos to get an idea of how this thing comes apart, I tore it down and discovered there is only about three inches of cord left on the winder, if that, but definitely not enough to stick a plug on and test, so I pulled it and tossed it in the bin.

The lockout control appears to be intact, although judging from the damage to the surrounding panel, I think somebody tried to pry the outer knob off with a large screwdriver. It is keyed, by the way. I also now understand how to bypass it, if necessary.

I spun the motor with my finger and it turned freely and smoothly. It's not frozen up and there weren't any scraping noises, so chances are it's in good shape.

I found a used genuine Electrolux cord winder on eBay for $10 plus shipping, so I've ordered that. I'll put everything back together when it arrives and we'll go from there.

It's amazing to me how that machine isn't held together with any screws or fasteners. It's all done with tension. I'm not sure whether to call it brilliant or crazy. One thing's for sure, it sure makes it easy to work on.

 

[human]

I almost forgot to add that after I cleaned everything up with Lysol wipes, I took the tape off of the wand and the power nozzle's plug falls right out. It's definitely the sheath cord. I plugged the nozzle into another wand and it held firm.

 

[jo]

Yes the inner contacts for the sheath cords get worn and widen...definitely not an uncommon issue. You might be able to get one of those tiny screwdrivers in between the contact and the rubber to bend it back in a bit on each of the contacts. I’ve done it successfully several times...unless you want to buy a sheath cord.

I kinda figured the person cut the cord off and kept it to use as an extension cord... hopefully the motor will run fine. The automatic control device can also be replaced pretty easily. I’ve never had one go bad, but others mention of such so I guess so. If they were trying to pry off the knob, I’m guessing maybe that’s the problem with the machine. Replacing it is done when the machines is of course open.

Good luck. If you get it all fixed up nice, add a dusting brush/ upholstery tool, crevice tool and a floor brush maybe some wands it would be worth a couple hundred on eBay I imagine or so,etching to pass on to a friend or relative in need if not added to your own collection.

Yes, I think once they merged with the Canadian Electrolux they realized this plastic design was great for serviceability and decided to abandon the metal design and switch all units to this plastic body in the very late 90’s. Just before this also came the renaissance and guardian which have their own design. I’ve taken one of those apart once but it was 11 years ago. They only made one model of the top of the line which was the white with silver top guardian ultra using this plastic body design and apparently it was better sealed than the machine you have. After that, they started the partnership with Electrolux AB Sweden which makes the current Guardian Platinum Model, but the Lux Legacy and Classic Lux use this design of body that you have, mostly the top panels are different with the Classic not having the lights or automatic control feature and the Legacy has the automatic control, indicator lights, but a more deluxe back end to the top instead of the blower grate, it has nooks to hold the dusting brush/upholstery tool and crevice tool .

I like the color combination, very classic Electrolux...I think blue may have been their most repeated color.

Jon

 

[suckolux]

I have another thought Edgar, I think the cord is inside, and the plug snapped off. With that,they said scree it! Totally I guess of course!

 

[human]

David, that was my thought as well but when I tore it down and removed the cord winder and looked inside, there was absolutely no cord in left in it. Someone had pulled it out as far as it would go and cut it. Kind of irritating but there you have it. I tend to agree with Jon. Somebody likely saved it to make an extension cord—or maybe to tie up their little brother.

 

[suckolux]

 

[human]

Plan of Action...

Yeah, it is a bummer about the cord. The good news is I found a used, working cord winder—with cord intact—for a cheap price on eBay and it'll be here in a few days. My plan at the moment is to install the cord winder and reassemble the vacuum with the suction selector bypassed to make sure there aren't any other problems that need addressing. If everything's okay, I'll go back in and reconnect the selector and see how it works. I think I can adjust it with a big screwdriver. If I can't get it to work with the selector connected, I'll just go back in one final time, disconnect it and call it a day. Assuming everything's working at that point, I'll see about replacing the filthy after filter. Honestly, my goal with this thing is to spend as little as possible to get it working.

 

[jo]

Should be able to adjust the auto control knob with needle nose pliers I would imagine. I was thinking you could put a plug end on that tiny short cord remaining then add an extension cord to it just to get it powered up enough to test if you don’t want to wait for the new cord reel to arrive.

Yes most of us enjoy the challenge of getting things back up and running for as little money as possible.

I have to say...I’ve been guilty of cutting the cords off trash find vacuums to use as an extension cord once I know the vacuum isn’t something I’m interested in or not repairable. These good condition cords, with a female end added to them, make for great “vacuum cleaner extension cords” so I can clean a larger area without having to change the plug in location by adding one to the existing cord. I keep one in my main closet with my daily drivers for convenience. I have another in my parents basement when I visit there as I’m usually the one my Mom asks to vacuum the basement as they get lots of dead bugs and spider webs down there and there are not a lot of outlets in the basement. Also, if I come across a vac with a bad cord, I have some recycled spares to use as replacements so I don’t have to buy a new cord...they tend to be expensive.

 

[human]

Yes, I enjoy these refurbishment projects; in fact, I sometimes enjoy them more than I should and lose sight of how much I'm spending. I just went down that path a bit with a Kirby Heritage 1HD so I need to keep to a stricter budget on this one. I will be quite happy if the cord winder is the only part I need to buy it.

I did tear down the power nozzle today to give it a good cleaning, including removing all the hair wrapped around the brush roll. I also worked on the sheath cord with a jeweler's screwdriver. and got it to where it would hold the power nozzle's cord better. I don't know that there's much else I can do until the cord winder arrives.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

My grandparents had one. I bought a used one years ago, but sadly it had a replacement color filter color that was white instead. Very nice machine, I'm a sucker for those lights on top

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

You probably have bags for it. If you didn't you could custom make one.
You could use a cord you cut off another machine and fix or unhook the flow control.
I think price of a cord wonder is pretty good considering you have a good electrolux vacuum to use or sell.
Les

 

[human]

I have a total of five Electrolux canisters (a pair of 1205s, a Super J, a Silverado and a Diamond J) that use 'C' bags so I keep a good supply of third party "MultiFilter" bags on hand. The Diplomat Lx will make six, once it's complete. Right now, it's just a pile of parts so it doesn't count yet.

The cord-deprived cord winder went in the bin Sunday evening and Monday was trash day so it's already in the landfill at this point. A replacement is on the way and according to USPS tracking, it should be here by next Monday at the latest. Problem solved, hopefully.

Given my obsessive nature, the missing top knob is bothering me but I guess I'll just have to learn to let go of that unless or until I come across one or something that would make a reasonable substitute. Of course, if I end up leaving the suction selector disconnected, that will become a moot point, except for aesthetics.

I'm envisioning this being a knock-around machine once it's all put back together, something to vacuum cars with and stuff like that. It will never be the crown of my collection by any stretch of the imagination. The fact that I will have kept it out of the landfill—or most of it, at least—will be enough. That it's giving me something to do while I'm stuck at home is a definite bonus.