Venmo tip jar: @AndrewDIY Kirby switch: amzn.to/2CsmbcF Kirby motor brushes: amzn.to/2Bwd6Or T-20 Wrench: amzn.to/2GAvI5w This repair works on most Kirby vacuum models. Easy fix, just take your time.
Wow, you're the best! I decided I would fix my G5, and I determined it was the power unit that went bad. So I finally had the extra money to buy it, got it, installed it, and the vacuum turned on, so I was right! But then I saw that I hadn't put the pedal shifter thing together right, so I took it apart and redid it. But then, when I went to turn it on, nothing! I couldn't believe it! It took me about a month of trying to figure out what was wrong this time, with no luck. But this morning, I watched this video (again) to see what I might have missed, and I'm not sure but I think maybe the brushes were not installed exactly right, So finished watching this, and then I took the whole thing apart and carefully put it all back together, and boy it sure can be frustrating! just like you said. But guess what----I FIXED IT! It just made my day! I love the Kirby and hated when it wasn't working. So thank you SO MUCH, it was just a tremendous help to have this video to watch, and whatever was wrong, watching you helped me put it right, I'm still not sure what it was, but I know each time I tried, I got a little better at understanding what I was doing and all. So thank you! Much, much appreciated.
I have a Kirby d4 or 5 that the on and off doesn’t work . The motor will stay on only if you keep pressing on it . After watching your video I’m going to give it a try . I’m a retired appliance tech from Sears. But never work on vacuum cleaners befit thank you for sharing your videos I appreciate I’m going to keep watching thank you again . I did subscribe and put in my like . Buy the way I went into a second hand store an found a mod g10d for $10:00 all it needed was to reinstall the roller belt and also looks like new but I’m going to fix the other one . Good video well splain
You're doing well, but you don't have pliers and you haven't cleaned the armature of the motor from the dirt from the brass Coils .VERY HELPFUL! Complete, accurate, step by step with very good tips. I have 2 such machines at home, all the best nick from Germany
VERY HELPFUL! Complete, accurate, step by step with very good tips. A+. UPDATE 2021: I did this and thanks to this video, it worked. I must say this is a project. The vacuum literally has to be taken completely apart to get to the brushes. There are many many screws. The screws are not all the same. Take your time. Do NOT rely on your memory. Put the screws back into the holes where they came from and tape them there so you know what screw goes where when you reassemble. Take pictures with your phone. Especially of how the wires connect. Take videos of where and how things go together, be very detailed in your descriptions. There are many wires, some black, some white. Note how they travel from point A to B and where they start and end. The inside of this vacuum is very tight and compact. Do this prior to disconnecting anything. Had I not done this I would’ve completely messed this up. It can be done and done successfully if you are patient and detailed. PS. You can buy any replacement part you need on Amazon.
I was a Navy Torpedo Technician in the Seventies, probably could have figured it out by myself , but this video made things easy peasy. Replaced Carbon Brushes , now have to ratchet the head at least 2 up or it get suctioned to the floor. replaced switch which shattered on the side and in doing so fried the power cord with it. My Kirby is a 29 year old G4D. Renewed vacuum for about $90 in part not bad.
Great video. I needed to take unit apart to see what was causing all the commotion inside. I found some screws that I mistakenly vacuumed up and they were rattling around. I was able to follow your instructions to open and then to reassemble unit. Putting that new gasket really made a difference in the performance. I don't remember doing that the last time I replaced the switch. This video is definitely a keeper.
Hello Andrew - Thank you very much for your GREAT Kirby Help Videos. I just replaced my Fan, Mains Switch and Carbon Brushes on my G4. These videos were a fantastic resource.
Taking pictures of the wiring or anything you work on is a good idea to show you how it's supposed to connect to make sure you got it right! Never thought of that before. That would've saved me a lot of trouble when working on things in the past.
First of all thanks for the video. Well done. I thought the switch was the issue but it turned out one of the carbon brushes was worn out. I replaced the switch, brushes and the fan/impeller because of age. A couple of observations after completing this task. The screws that hold the headlight hinge do not have to be removed. This will keep the light housing from flopping around and the light connections can be disconnected and connected easier. The screw just behind the neutral pedal can stay in. that way the pedal won't fall on the bench and you don't have to figure out how it works and put it back on. Like @Billy Darley said, when changing the carbon brushes stone the commutator, do not use sandpaper.
I can see you learned this the best way, by doing. Stones are not for commutators. Use scotch brite and maybe some contact cleaner but not necessary. Hold in on the commutator and spin the motor. I am wondering about the screw sizes on these machines. My G4, age unknown, has M4 x 0.8 pitch screws. The standard for M4 pitch is 0.7 so finding the right screw size if you drop one will be very difficult. I am a 50 year toolmaker and I don't even have a tap that size. They may be available from UK or Europe. I can't find them anywhere. M4 is so close to 8-32 and the pitch is close also. I'll be going with 8-32.
Yes, I just did. Watched the whole video and it was worthy. Lot of informations with precision and concise instructions. Thank you so much for uploading it. Great job!!! 👍👍👍
Andrew - thanks so much. My son's friend knows I like to work on stuff and asked if I could fix his girlfriend's vacuum. I figured it was like any ordinary vacuum so I said sure. There's no way I could have done this without the video. Even then, it took a couple of hours.
Andrew, I have a Kirby G4 that I believe the switch has failed. It appears though that I have more than just 2 tabs on the back of my switch. There looks like a 3rd tab on the side of the switch next to the motor? The replacement switch looks to only have 2. Many thanks for the video. This Kirby is built like a tank with lots of screws and tightly packed together! Your VID made it a lot easier to take apart.
Appreciate the thoroughness of the video, but don't think it necessary to show every screw up close 😏 The video itself could have been a little closer in to see better, or at least zoom in to see main parts focusing on... Just a note for next time. 😏 Really appreciate the care put into details. Thanks!
Thanks man. I'm going to be trying to change brushes in my kirby g6. Going to use this video as a reference guide for the job. While I have it apart will checkout power switch as well. Will let you know if I have succeeded. Thanks for your video anyway whatever the outcome
Hallo Andrew. I have replaced my Kirby G6 2000 Special according to your video which was of great help. However, when I now switch the machine on it runs but switches off as soon as you release the foot switch. Is it a problem with the switch or did I made a mistake?
i just refurbished a kirby legend !! kidding it was somewhat easier the one you make is really complicated it's a shame that Kirby like all other manufacturers make it more difficult for the common man to make their machines himself.more & more plastik🤔
I wished I would’ve watched this video and it was available at the time I replaced my switch because after a whole Lotta headache finally figured it out and then it wouldn’t start the next day I learned about the safety switch that the bag had to be put on great video I wished I would’ve known good job
thanks, its best cleaner available , something can still be replaced , new "water predator " is 400 and all you can replace is drink , from Coke to Sprite
Yeah! I also have a Kirby from 1995 which has three big colour coded wires from the rear and one small wire for the light from the side. As yet I do not know if switch is faulty but the machine failed to start and brushes were repaced by agent, a year back and are fine. Think I may pull aparet the switch !
@@JohnSmith-xz5fb No I did not remove the switch but there must be something wrong with the motor wirng as it runs but overspeeds and over heats. I gave it back to my son-in-law who had, on line, managed to buy a second han replacement at a resonable price.
I am curious; If you are only intending to change the power switch, and I will replace the brushes while I am in there, is it actually necessary to remove the Faceplate? I can't see the reason why other than just to check on the fan.
Hi Andrew, thank you so much for taking the time to make such detailed videos. This is such a great help! Do you have an idea what parts should be swapped when changing 110v to 220v? Just the motor or the switch as well? Thanks again!
My Kirby is Ultimate G Diamond edition. Yesterday when starting the vaccum w/ foot switch, it sparked a fire between the unit and the Mini Em-Tor. Soon after the fire, I plugged out and found the power cord was damaged on the part that attaches to the unit. I cleaned the burnt black marks on the unit and Mini Em-Tor and ordered an oem power cord from Amazon, but it won't start with the new cord. I wonder what you would do if you were in this case. Please advise me.
How come you are not showing us how to take the handle off? How did you get to your start part of this video and other videos? I went to mess with mine, just a push in button type deal and the handle pulls out. LOL Thank you anyway, I did figure it out, no wonder you didn't show us, you did on the small handle though, not sure I have one of those.
Don't bother with that fillips screw at 10:25. It's only needed for the transmission. Taking it out will cause it to fall apart and then you're looking up another video on how to get it back in.
Hi Andrew does the kirby have a fuse incorporated before the switch somewhere,cause mine all of a sudden dosent go anymore.by the way electricity arrives at the plug so the cable is intact.
Is it possible that you could give me advice? I’m trying to correct the motor running reverse problem. I replaced switch and brushes and now the transmission starts reversing and the belt smokes off. The left side brush has two different size spades so I got that right. It is most likely the top two wires in the switch but I want to know make sure. The right side carbon brush is hooked to B which is second down from top
You said that your little cordless driver helps save time, but as soon as you said that you went right back to the old school conventional screwdriver. WTH.
I am needing to know to test this switch. Mine seems to be just free moving back and forth in other word s it doesn't click into on or off like a switch would regularly work. The switch moves freely back and forth. Does it sound as if this switch is bad
omg Andrew you scare me at that wire part, putting that top piece back on, looks like you are having the hardest time, and I know it will be twice as hard for me if I try. :(
Not bad, but I could have dispensed with all of your screwing in of bolts time and the time you messed up and had to regroup and restart a task. Oh and get rid of those big gloves. It could have been a 30 minute deal.