Vax brushes not always turning??

quickstepqueen

I was just wondering if someone with knowledge might be able to help.
I have the U86-PC series Pet and Family upright vaccum. When the vaccum is in the upright position the brush won't turn. If I then tilt the vacuum back the brushes spin.

If I release the handle to push/hoover, the brushes stop. Yet, again, if I stop and lift the vacuum slightly the brushes spin. I've removed the brush roller and the belt is all in tact, there are no blockages and the filters were all cleaned 2 hoovers ago.

What am I doing wrong? There is a surface selector but when I press it nothing changes. (In fact I don't know how I'm supposed to tell if it's off or on. The manual doesn't really tell me.)

Our carpet is old and well worn down so usually use the low setting. However, if I put the rollers on high carpet, the brushes will start to spin, but when I go to hoover, they slow and then stop. With 2 large dogs in the house I can't afford to leave the vacuuming lol. If anyone can help it would be very much appreciated.
Thanking you in advance.
qsq x

Hoploz

I've got a similar model, not sure if it's the same one.

I've got a light on the top of the foot part which shows green when the brushes are on and red when they're off.

I have a button next to the on off button which you press to switch between brush on and brush off.

There is a brush bar reset button on the side of the foot part which is used if there has been some blockage or something and the brush fails to start up afterwards so try pressing that (it doesnt actually press down much so it feels like you're not doing anything but you are) and see if it helps.

I'll come back if I think of anything else!

quickstepqueen

Unfortunately mine isn't the same model as I don't have a light or button. But I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. Thankyou.

Annie1960

Try contacing Vax directly. I have found them extremely helpful in the past.

quickstepqueen

Thanks Annie. I tried filling out their online form but it just wouldn't send. Think I'll have to ring them when I get chance.

datostar

We recently had very similar symptoms with a Panasonic upright. Brush bar merrily spinning away when not under load but stopping when applied to floors. Belts (there's 2 on our model) looked OK but when compared to new had stretched. New belts £2 or so from Amazon cured the problem. Might this be your problem too?

quickstepqueen

Thanks everyone. I rang Vax this morning. After being on hold for 30 minutes they couldn't help me unless I gave them a serial number. I searched and searched, checking every inch of the machine but there wasn't a number. I couldn't even see an area where there should have been one. The vax advisor was patient whilst I tried looking where he suggested but there genuinely wasn't a serial number anywhere. At one point I even had 11 screws on the floor but even that didn't work!
The vacuum has a 2yr warranty but having since checked a bank statement it was purchased Feb 2015, so out of warranty. I wasn't looking for Vax to physically fix it, just offer some DIY advice.
All the vax advisor could tell me was that once I'd unscrewed the handle from the main body (as per the manual) to email back with details of purchase in case it was still under warranty!
So will follow your advice Datostar and buy a new belt. I'm struggling with mounting dog hairs so, with the motor actually working, I'll have to use the small attachment and literally hoover the floor piece by piece!!
The joys of modern electrical equipment lol

getmore4less

Does the brush spin easy by hand with no belt on it.

Hair in the brush bearing is a killer.

quickstepqueen

Thanks getmore4less.
I've checked and the brush turns fine without the belt. I've had all 20 screws out now but it's still doing the same so new belts on order!

quickstepqueen

Datostar
Like your vacuum, the belt didn't look stretched but I decided to change it as I was out of other options. BINGO! It worked. The belt must have lost it's grip or something. Anyway, if it wasn't for your advice I would be buying a new vacuum so genuinely, thankyou, for taking the time to reply to my thread and offering advice that was truly helpful.

datostar

quickstepqueen wrote: »

Datostar
Like your vacuum, the belt didn't look stretched but I decided to change it as I was out of other options. BINGO! It worked. The belt must have lost it's grip or something. Anyway, if it wasn't for your advice I would be buying a new vacuum so genuinely, thankyou, for taking the time to reply to my thread and offering advice that was truly helpful.

Glad to help. I think these belts can harden over time and become too slippery to grip properly.