Kenmore 35912 / 35913 Progressive Upright Vacuum

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :

Vacuum cleaners are fairly simple machines. They need power to be transmitted to the vacuum to create a suction force that lifts debris. So, the usual areas that cause suction loss include the wrong height setting, stuck rollers, a faulty gasket, a broken vacuum belt, a filled bag, or a clogged hose.
Check service panel for tripped breakers/blown fuses. If breaker is tripped, reset it. If fuse is blown, replace it. If vacuum cleaner is plugged in, be sure power button is in the off position before resetting breaker/changing fuse.
A little bit of water can do wonders for boosting a suction cup`s grip. Using warm water, rinse the whole cup so it softens it up. Shake the drops of water off the cup quickly and then put it up on the wall. That can often do the trick.
Gravity and friction are the two main forces that make vacuum suction work. While gravity pulls molecules in the air toward the earth, creating an atmospheric pressure, the suction cup and vacuum pump cause a pressure difference, attaching both surfaces.
The most common problems found in vacuum cleaners are low suction force, excessive noise, burning smell, vacuum not turn on, and overheating. These issues can be fixed by either cleaning the device or replacing some parts of the device. At times, it is best to seek a professional to fix the cleaner effectively.
Clog located in the vacuum hose

Turn the unit on and feel the suction at the end of the hose handle. If there is no or low suction, then the clog is in the hose. You can remove the clog by running a long, stiff object through the hose, such as a butter knife, starting at the wall end.

How long do Kenmore vacuums last? A. It`s suggested that the typical vacuum can last up to an average of eight years. With proper maintenance, a Kenmore vacuum could last that long or longer.
The most common cause of loss of suction is that the filters have become blocked. They may require cleaning or replacing. Another cause could be that the vacuum cleaner hose is blocked.
Currently, the most common and simple method for patients, caregivers, and health professionals to unclog the drain tube is through stripping. Stripping involves squeezing one`s fingers along the length of the tube and pushing down any clots and debris into the suction bulb.
Suction pressure should be kept at less than 200 mmHg in adults. It should be set at 80 mmHg to 120 mmHg in neonates. [3] The catheter size used for suction should be less than 50% of the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube.
The suction is weak

If it seems that your device isn`t providing powerful suction when you need it, first do some troubleshooting: Check that the canister is not damaged. Make certain that the vacuum line and canister lid are tight. Check that the catheter thumb vent is being properly occluded when applying suction.

Keep in mind this is an approximate time period. Many factors can affect a suction machine`s life expectancy, including abuse and failure to maintain it. But you can use the 10-year time frame as a tool to budget for future equipment needs.
Suction pressure is the negative difference in pressure between two places that drags liquid or gas from a higher pressure state to a lower pressure state. The suctional force in plants is caused by transpiration. This force aids the plant in obtaining essential minerals from the soil.
Air watts refer to the number of watts used by the vacuum cleaner to carry a unit of air through an opening or nozzle. The higher the air watts, the higher the suction power.
Vacuum System Failures:

Occurs when the vacuum pump fails or when both intakes are blocked.

All vacuum cleaners operate based on air flowing from the opening at the cleaning head or tool, through the vacuum cleaner and the bag and/or filter system and then out the exhaust port. This airflow is created by the vacuum motor, which also may be referred to as the suction motor.
It is obtained by measuring how many inches up a tube the vacuum motor`s intake can pull up, or lift, the water. For the Water Lift test, there is no air moving through the motor. It is a sealed suction measurement to find the pure suction force of the motor.
The suction motor creates vacuum pressure and suction by rotating a motor fan. The impeller rotates at an incredibly high speed of about 30,000 to 35,000 RPM. A suction motor`s power is measured by multiplying the rate of air flow and the vacuum pressure, which induces air flow from the brush through the hose.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Unbeknownst to me, someone took the bag out of my Kenmore Progressive vacuum and failed to replace it. I have been vacuuming without a bag for months, and today the vacuum stopped sucking. When I opened up the front to replace the bag, tons of dirt and dust came pouring out. I thoroughly cleaned the vacuum, put in a new bag, but still no sucking power. Just dust coming from the rear vents where one of the filters is. Is the vacuum ruined, or is it a simple solution of buying a new filter?
ANSWER : Sounds like you need to buy a new motor. All that grit and dust will ruin a motor and I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did.
.This is where a vacuum that won’t run without a bag would have been nice. (Aerus for one)

I purchased a brand new Eureka Pet vacuum, sorry don’t know exact name but it the one that has the self cleaning duster on it. Last night I used the vacuum on my carpet, it was working fine until I accidently sucked up the corner of a scarf that was hanging off a couch. I shut the vacuum off, pulled out the scarf and and resumed vacuuming. Much to my dismay the suction on the vacuum had ceased. Can you tell me if there is a reset button on the vacuum? The vacuum does not appear to be damage
ANSWER : If the motor is running, there should be suction. Possible problems depend on whether it’s a canister or upright and are:
.A clog in the hose, UR or canister. Detach hose. Drop small coin in one end and lift hose causing it to roll out the other. If it does, no clog in hose. Drop same coin into hose opening on power head. If it rolls out, no clog in PN.
.Broken fan blades, UR. Needs to be taken to shop for repair/replacement.
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.A reset button is for use if the motor isn’t running, so won’t have anything to do with the suction.

The original belt on my upright Kenmore Progressive broke and I replaced it with the spare that was in the vacuum. The vacuum and spare belt are about 10 years old. Then the spare broke after one vacuuming session and there was a burning smell coming from the vacuum. I ordered new belts and replaced it with the new belt. It seems to be working fine with no smell. I checked the belt after I vacuumed the family room and although it was in tact, the belt was very hot. Is that normal? Should t
ANSWER : The belt heats up due to the friction, as well as being in contact with the shaft of a hot motor. It is normal.

I have a kenmore progressive direct drive handi mate jr. upright vacuum. My daughter used it last night to vacuum up some cat litter that had spilled on the floor. I went to use it today and it turned on for a second and then stopped working. I have hit the reset button but it will not turn on. Help this vacuum is only 2 years old Is there anything that I need to reset or do so that the vacuum will work again?
ANSWER : Its probably clogged up with cat litter.might have gotten into the motor.your motor has a motor guard inside if it. when it overheats it will shut down till it cools off.you need to clean all th cat liter out of it.and clean the filters.with a direct drive you might want to take it in to a repairman to sevice. its not a shop vac i advise you not to pick up things like cat liter

Dirt devil vacuum cleaner–trouble vacuuming dirt and pet hair on carpeting –is the problem with the spinning brush which contacts the floor,  not contacting the carpeting??  I thought (when I bought this vacuum) that the aforementioned brush was adjustable to various heights of carpeting.  Sometimes, it seems like nothing is being vacuumed up –unless I have just put a new bag on the vacuum… Do I need or can I replace the spinning brush on the bottom of the vacuum so it kicks up and vacuums
ANSWER : Try replacing the belt. Rubber belts stretch out after about a year.

25512/ 25513 Progressive Canister Vacuum: HI, we have a kenmore progressive canister vacuum …
ANSWER : Cord bad at male prongs, or fuse near motor blown.

Lever & belt placement in Kenmore Progressive upright vacuum
ANSWER : You are correct. The belt is supposed to go around the peg that is connected to the lever so that when it is on the Floor /Tools setting the belt is not driven by the drive shaft.

I have a Kirby G4 Vacuum Cleaner – MOdel G4 D. I have never had any problems or repairs done to it in the past ten plus years that I’ve had it. This is an upright vacuum. I was vacuuming the carpet floor and was not having any trouble at all. I switched the vacuum off and moved it into a different room. When I tried to turn on the vacuum, it would not turn on. I checked with different outlets, used both front attachment and hose attachment. Checked the front part of the motor/ spiral case. This
ANSWER : Hello,
.My educated guess is that it’s either the switch or the power cord. Here are a couple of guides to help with diagnosis and repair…
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.http://reviews.ebay.com/COMMON-PROBLEMS-WITH-THE-KIRBY-VACUUM-TROUBLESHOOTING_W0QQugidZ10000000003800312
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.http://reviews.ebay.com/REPLACING-THE-POWER-SWITCH-ON-ANY-KIRBY-G-SERIES-VACUUM_W0QQugidZ10000000003752018
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.Hope this helps!!
.Marci