cjh20

Thanks for the reply Mike.  Both the pet tool and the power head attach to the handle at the end of the hose.  Since they both are having the same issue, I'm making the assumption that the problem is either in the electronics in the handle, or the connector in the handle.  I was perhaps overly swayed by the repair shop's diagnosis that the entire hose system needed to be replaced. 

The connection between the handle and the attachment is two prong - female connection on the handle.  It does have a black "sooty"  covering around the connectors.  Cleaning them did not improve the situation.

I have found the female connector on-line for $51.  I'm a little hesitant to spend that amount on an item that may or may not solve my problem.  Opinions?

I should mention that when working properly, this was an ideal vacuum for me. 

Thanks Again,

-Chris

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.