Stinger Vac not working - would enjoy learning how to fix

[curdy]

Hi everyone, its been a while since I've had to be on here...which means everything has been working in my house for quite some time (yes, believe it or not...well, at least everything that I can't fix myself with out help!)

 

I have one of those convenient little Stinger vacs and it stopped working.  I went ahead and bought another one, but would like to try to fix this one as it would be a good learning experience not only for me, but my oldest son that is showing an interest in electronics.  Not to mention that it would be great to have an extra one of these around the house.  I have a feeling its just a bad switch or connection somewhere, but I've never learned how to properly diagnose something like this.  Can anyone out there walk me through this?  I do have a multi meter.

 

Really appreciate the help!

[skintdigit]

Well, it's been a month, but...

 

Use your meter set for ohms to check for continuity of the power cord with the vacuum unplugged. You'll need to remove the filter bag and disassemble the handle and motor cover to get to the power switch wiring. You should have continuity all the way to the motor on both of the power wires when the switch is on. The switch will be on the "hot" wire, probably black in color. The white wire is the common, and should have continuity to the motor terminals regardless of switch position.

 

If the above checks out OK, and the motor is silent when plugged in, then you have a fried motor. You may do a voltage check(carefully) to verify your continuity tests, but the unit will move quite a bit if it should start while you are testing disassembled. If the impeller moves a bit or the motor hums a little when powered on, you may have something jammed in the impeller.

 

I have one of these units. Motor has lasted 6 years in mine, but the impeller nut occasionally works loose and causes a terrible wailing.

 

[curdy]

Thanks, will try this and report back.