| Author | Content |
shuggins
Houston, TX
(Zone 9b)
December 15, 2008
05:24 PM Post #5894839
| Anyone own a Kirby? My mom bought me one, but I can't get it to work. I'm sure it has something to do with the belt, but I can figure it out. It comes on, but doesn't actually pick anything up.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
December 15, 2008
10:19 PM Post #5896044
| I don't have a Kirby, but with most vacuums if you lay them down and look underneath you can tell if the belt is broken or not. Only other thing I could think of is if it's one that has attachments maybe the switch is set to the attachments rather than the main part of the vacuum. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 16, 2008
10:59 AM Post #5897385
| I haven't had one for 15 years or so, but I remember your problem. On the front of the beater head is a thingy that you turn to take it off. It is what moves the belt on and off of the drive shaft. After taking it off, look in to where the belt is. Now turn the do-hickey all the way so that the belt is all stretched out. Put it on the vac. and turn back to take the tension off of the belt(and the belt is now on the drive shaft). Should work great from now on.
G'Luck,
Nan
|
shuggins
Houston, TX
(Zone 9b)
December 16, 2008
12:09 PM Post #5897658
| Thanks so much for the responses. I will have to print it out and take it home and see what I can figure out. Hate not to use it because I know it was expensive, but couldn't seem to get it to work. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
December 16, 2008
06:10 PM Post #5898938
| Later you will find that it's just funny - the things that trip us up.
My Kirby lasted 20-25 years with only one trip to the repair shop. I miss it. It was stolen during a military move. I'm just happy that the creep didn't get the accessory box too and I was able to give it to someone that had a bunch of broken plastic show up in their move.
My big Sis. has our Mom's. We think that she bought it in the early 50's. They last forever...
Nan |
newhobby
Tolleson, AZ
(Zone 9a)
January 05, 2009
05:22 PM Post #5970193
| I love mine!! Did you figure out the problem? I think Nan has the best idea, it happened to me as well. Just have to make sure the blasted belt is attached and away you go! |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
January 05, 2009
06:58 PM Post #5970531
| Isn't it funny, the things that trip you up? My DH could not get it to work. He even knew that I took the belt off of the shaft when I was finished vacuuming, and he still never figured out how to put it back on. I had to get a neighbor to vacuum when I was in a cast or had a baby... He didn't tell me for years that that was why he couldn't vacuum. I thought that it was allergies or a bad back or something. |
shuggins
Houston, TX
(Zone 9b)
January 05, 2009
09:39 PM Post #5971233
| I haven't tried anything yet, but have intentions of doing it. Thanks for all of the information and I will be trying it. |
widgit
Ontario, CA
April 07, 2009
06:11 PM Post #6379192
| My problem was I wasn't strong enough to pull the belt tight enough to fit onto the post in the center...the Kirby rep. tol me to turn the vacuum upside down and THEN go through the process of pulling the lever and tightening the belt. Fell right into place. Who knew. p.s. Call or write to the Kirby Co. for instructions for the problem. I bet they will even send you instructions.
Good Luck,
Charlotte |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
April 07, 2009
06:34 PM Post #6379275
| Oh yeah! You are right about calling them. Twice DH has "saved" our current vac. by calling the 800 number and having the lady in India walk him through different ways to fix it. A free phone call saving us another $200 vacuum! |
vivianh
Kingsport, TN
May 28, 2009
10:31 AM Post #6609061
| I have a problem with mine. I can't figure it out.
I'll have it in drive mode, and be vacuuming then the wheels will lock up completely. It'll only go back and forth
within a 5 inch spot cause the wheels lock up.
Any suggestions?? |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
May 28, 2009
04:46 PM Post #6610450
| Just to call the 800 number for help. They usually can figure anything out. |
vivianh
Kingsport, TN
May 28, 2009
05:29 PM Post #6610652
| They couldn't tell me anything, they gave me a number for someone local, but that shop won't answer the phone.
They said they don't do internal problems. :(
I need my kirby... |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
May 28, 2009
05:36 PM Post #6610678
| Darn...I hope someone has an answer for you. |
smileymom343
Kenmore, NY
(Zone 6a)
July 18, 2009
08:24 AM Post #6833970
| Vivianh -- maybe there's something hanging up on the edge of the roller. where it goes into the base.. so it's preventing the roller from turning, thus causing the wheels to lock up. I used to take a seam ripper and get all those threads off that wind around it. It does make a difference.
This message was edited Jul 18, 2009 8:25 AM |
digger9083
Dahlonega, GA
August 15, 2009
06:53 PM Post #6950610
| Any vacume shop that sells and repairs vacs can fix it and probably has parts . I have two kirbys and one is35 yrs old , been through a tornado and a fire . Still works with only 35.00 dollars in repairs over those tears . My newer one ,15 yrs old has a bag that goes in it and never spent a dime on repairs . digger |
