Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hello,
I have an old Montgomery Ward's Signature canister vacuum, model SP-316A, 9.7 Amp's.  It still works, I have all the attachments, and the motor is quite strong.  It is still in good condition.  I can easily lift a basketball with it.

However, it now has a problem with the 20 foot power cord which is pulled out of the canister and is returned into the canister when finished.  When the power cord is pulled out and stopped, I must hit the canister in the back or side to get the electrical contact inside to engage, otherwise the motor will not work.  The rear of the canister is held on by 3 Philips screws.  If I were to pull out the power cord and remove the 3 screws, would I be able to pull out the rear of the unit and at least clean and oil whatever electrical contacts are there?

Because of its age, the unit is really not worth taking to a repairman.  If I cannot repair the unit myself, I'm pretty much stuck with it the way it is or buying another unit.

Illustrations, Carmine is an old timer in vacuum cleaner repair as well as me. As far as working on cord reels is concerned I have worked on cord reels dating back to 1947. Without seeing the canister I can't tell you much about working on it. But Canisters is what I work on as well as uprights. And as far as experience I have 50+ years working on canisters. Procare

Hi
Does the cord exit from the rear housing on the side or center of the rear housing?
I believe this machine is a EUREKA product, Does it use style L bags?

Is the winder verticle or horizontal when mounted in the machine?

It sounds like the cord is broken right the cordwinder [the drum that the cord wraps up on.

Old G model electroluxes break at this spot also, and can be repaired,The eureka cord wider is much harder to repair.

If the cord is only pulled out 2 or 3 feet does the machine run?

Is the cord winder riveted together?

MOLE

procare wrote:

Hello Procare:

You are a wise man.  Yes I did.  And opined that this is probably a lamb motor.  Well known for good contact carbon brushes once they overcome the initial inertia of not ruinning for some years.  As I suspected these.  My utmost respect for you.

Carmine D.

mole wrote:

Hi MOLE:

Not to speak for the poster, but I'll take a shot and see how good this old vacuum man's memory is.

First, the cord is a heavy gauge, probably white, and similiar to the ORECK's thickness.

Second, the winder is mounted vertically on a machine using a harness that screws into the vacuum.

Third, the power plug exits from the rear of the vacuum.

Finally, the winder is rivetted shut. 

Perhaps, the poster can attest to how good my memory is for this Eureka product.

Carmine D.