Bissell 6100 Healthy Home Bagless Upright Vacuum Brushroll not engaging

[garywlynch]

The most recent time we turned on the vacuum, the brush would not work. It worked fine the last time we used it. It spins freely manually. I removed the handle and took it apart to get to the brush switch and although I really don't know what i am doing, i put the leads on the switch on my multi-meter and when I pushed the button the needle pegged and when i pushed it again it went all the way back down. So I think the switch is fine. The suction works fine.

Any suggestions?

[garywlynch]

I opened the bottom part (I always thought the screws were Phillips, but they were a small star screw and one screw I couldn't get my star screwdriver into, but I managed to get it open)...  and there was lots of dust and gunk in there (this thing is about 7 years old)...  the motor turned fine so it wasn't frozen.  checked all the connections and cleaned the caked in dust and stuff in there...  crossed my fingers and put it all back together...  Magically it worked!