Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hi all.  I'm so happy to have found a forum dedicated to vacuums. 

I purchased a Kenmore Intuition canister vac (model 116.280157) in June of 2009.  Over the last several months the brush on the power head has been intermittently stopping.  This happens with both the floor powermate and the Pet powermate.  At the time the roller stops, the light turns off, but there is still suction.  This problem has increased to the point the vac is unusable.  I noticed that if I pull the connection of the handle and the tube (or pet powermate) together the roller starts again.

I spoke with a local vacuum repair shop, and they told me that I needed a new hose assembly.  I found the part (#kc94pdduzc0d) online at sears parts three weeks ago for $106, but didn't purchase it at that time.  A couple of days ago I went to buy it and the price had jumped to $208!

So my questions to those in the know.  Is this a common problem? if it is I'll just get a new vacuum rather spending that money every few years.  Is there someplace else I could potentially get the replacement part?  I understand Panasonic makes these, do they have an equivalent part?  Is there another way to troubleshoot or fix the problem w/o spending 1/3 of what I paid for the entire vacuum new?  Thanks in advance.  I'm really not very happy with Sears right now.

I have the same intermittent issue except it appears to be at the beater bar end.....(an old beater bar / floor unit works just fine with this wand and canister)
I have taken apart the bottom section to inspect the wiring and connectors and don't see anything burnt. I sandpapered the male connectors just for good measure.

Would replacement of the lower wiring harness (~$40) be the best bet?? I think it has the power to the beater bar and light plus some dirt sensor functionality (a couple small wires and circuit boards are wired in)??
Other suggestions (besides just use the old beater bar unit!) :-)   ?

Thank you.

Use a volt meter to determine if there is power at the connections from the canister to the hose, at the nozzle end of the hose, and with the wand connected to the hose, see if there is power at the end of the wand.  Keep working your way down the circuit until you find a segment with no power.