Hoover U6446-900 WindTunnel Bagged Upright Vacuum

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

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

Check that the vacuum cleaner is plugged into a working power outlet and that fuses and breakers don`t need resetting. An activated thermal cut-out due to a blockage is the next most likely cause of the problem. Check for blockages in the hose and filters, and remove any obstructions that you find.
This usually occurs if the dust cannister is too full or the filters are clogged and the motor wasn`t getting enough cooling air passing over it.
How Vacuum Switches Work. Once the switch registers a change in the negative pressure based on the preset sensitivity of the setpoint, the diaphragm of the switch will open or close the attached circuit, turning off or powering on a device. Vacuum switches can be used with NO and NC states.
If your vacuum cleaner keeps turning off, this could be due to the following reasons: Blockages – check the hose and head for any obstructions. Filter – always check your filters, if these are clogged this could be causing the vacuum cleaner to work harder and lose suction power.
A damaged vacuum hose, clogged motor air filter or bad suction motor can cause the vacuum cleaner to shut off during use. A tripped overload on the vacuum suction motor can shut off the vacuum cleaner during use. If your vacuum has a reset button, push it; if the vacuum seems hot, let it cool off first.
Stick Vacuum Not Running

First make sure you have charged your device. If the vacuum still will not turn on after that, try to unplug the vacuum charger from the outlet. Leave the charger unplugged for at least 1-2 minutes. Next, turn on the stick vacuum and let run until the battery completely drains.

A thermal cut off is a heat-sensitive device that automatically disconnects the power to a vacuum`s motor when the operating temperature exceeds a safe value.
Simply plug the product back in or restore the power and then switch off the appliance using the button on the control panel. The door will now unlock.
Vacuum switches can have an electro-mechanical or solid-state switch construction.
A strong odor from the shellac that coats the copper coil windings is an indicator that the motor is about to or has burnt out. If the motor is still running, even if it turns on and off by itself as it is heating and cooling, you can still run the motor until it gives up for good.
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.
There are basically only 3 reasons a vacuum sealer bag will fail: The seal line area was dirty/wet/wrinkled when the bag was sealed or made (if made from a roll). Something in the bag punctured the bag. The bag is defective.
The average life expectancy of a mid-range vacuum cleaner is about six years. You can fix or replace things like blocked filters, jammed brush rolls, frayed hoses, worn-out stick vac batteries and broken accessories yourself.
As a general rule, if the repair is going to cost less than half the cost of a new vacuum cleaner, it`s best to go ahead and get it repaired. When the service tops half the price of a new machine, it`s probably best to invest in a newer model.
Overheating motor causing an automatic shutoff

This is most commonly caused by an air passage that is plugged by hair or dirt. Refer to the leaky hose guide to remove the hose, then inspect for hair or dirt clogs.

The Power Take Off (PTO) feature is a plug socket, usually found on the front or top of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner, that synchronises the operation of the vacuum cleaner with your power tool. So, when you switch on the power tool you are using, the vacuum will automatically switch on too.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Electrolux Epic 6500SR Full Bag sensor working, Does not Reset properly
ANSWER : The problem was a sticking switch that was not being reset. The vacuum on/off switch mechanism is comprised of two switches. One is the main switch that turns the vacuum on and off. The second is a shut off switch that gets tripped when the full bag sensor is engaged. This second switch is supposed to get reset when you push the on/off switch on the outside of the machine. The full bag shutoff switch was stiff and it, therefore, was taking a couple of presses of the on/off switch to move the shutoff switch back into the running position.

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)

Hetty hoover not working. It was working ok until I opened it up to search the bag for a missing jigsaw piece and I put it all back and I hoovered the mess on the floor, then switched off and switched on and hoover would not work? Is there a cut off button on Hetty hoovers?
ANSWER : Know cut off switch, its just not getting power ? 2 things its ether at the wall plug or in side the unit. I have never found a fuse in side them , so it may be just a lose wire did you try other plugs in the house . good luck DFD

The power button quit working – Hoover U6446-900 WindTunnel Bagged Upright Vacuum
ANSWER : Please click here to see the part diagram for the Hoover Windtunnel Self Propelled model U6446-900
.
.Greetings from GoVacuum,
.
.For replacing the switch, you need to remove the 2 screws that are in the back of the vacuum where the handle connects to the vacuum bag housing, Part # 50 on the first page of the diagram. After the screws have been removed, you may simply slide out the handle from the rest of the vacuum cleaner. You can then at this point view the outside of the switch, however as you’ll find you can’t replace it from this side. You’ll then need to go into the where the tool caddy is in the front top part of the vacuum cleaner. Remove the attachments from the tool caddy, and then you’ll need to remove the screws that hold the tool casing in place. Remove screws pictured # 35 on page 1, and the tool caddy is item # 17.
.
.Once the screws and the tool caddy are removed, you may then see the rest of the switch, and the leads that connect to it. The easiest way to remove the screw is to use a flat head screwdriver and pry the switch out from the back of the vacuum cleaner after removing the leads from the switch. The new switch that you’ll need to purchase is Hoover part number 28161067 which can be found online here: Hoover Windtunnel Main On / Off Switch Part Number 28161067.
.
.I hope that this helps you replace the faulty switch in yours (and your parents) vacuum cleaners. If you need to place an order for the switch, please give us a call at 1-866-468-2288.
.
.Thank you,
.Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

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.
.
.A reset button is for use if the motor isn’t running, so won’t have anything to do with the suction.

I have a miele S712 (2 yrs old worked fine yesterday) – I had been doing some diy work inside and had the vac on just to reduce some of the dust in the air – after a while the vacuum fizzled out. I guessed it had overheated and took it outside to cool down – when I tried to turn it back on pressing the power button gives it power and it starts to **** but it won’t STAY on, soon as you release the power button it stops, and the orange bag indicator is showing full. As I have a compressor I took
ANSWER : You have got dust in the micro switch and it is not latching on, if you look at this and clean it, that will solve your problem, however blowing the motir has probably wrecked the motor bearings.

I have a Kenmore Elegance Vacuum with Dirt Sensor, Model # 116.30750400C, Serial number M41901532. When vacuuming the carpet the power head will work for 3-6 mins then automatically shut off, power is still there and lights work but the power head motor turns off and the suction stops. I will turn it off and on, check the outlet, flick the on off buttons…nothing. I will turn it off for a couple minutes and it turns back on and runs like normal. I’ve check the bags, filters, cleaned the hos
ANSWER : It is an electrical problem in the handle, if you can or know somebody that has any fix it ability it can be fixed in about ten minutes. Oh, and Sears SUCKS!!

How to replace power cord on Hoover WindTunnel upright vacuum
ANSWER : The aforementioned solutions probably never even attempted this fix on this model. The handle does NOT need to come off. but the 5 screws on the front housing DO: 2 above the light and 3 below it. Then to get the colored housing off you need to access 2 screws on the underside that are beneath the agitator roller. To do that, obviously the 4 screws holding the bottom plate need to come off too. Here’s a link to a schematic that might help as you attempt to do this, (assuming that you still do!) http://www.elkypro.com/hoops2005/vacuum_parts/hoover/U5461-900.html

Once you have the main body housing cover off, then you can access the 2 screws atop of each trunnion cover that holds the motor assembly cover halves together. If you’ve made it this far, then gently pry apart the motor halves keeping even as yo do. Now you can see all the wiring necessary to cut and splice. Happy cord replacing! As for me, I am headed for the store, as I am not so sure I can remember how to get the darn thing put back together. But it was fun taking it apart!