how can i fix my vacuum - electrolux LE ( approx. 25 yrs old )?

p.s. My switch was broken also but it was the plastic actuator and not the electrical switch. I used a broken drill and epoxy to form a new "arm" to the rocker mechanism. Maybe I'll post this someday on youtube.

Hughie
September 2015

The slider that holds the clam shell together has a barb at the filter end that abuts a plastic wall so that it doesn't slide out once slid all the way in. This is why you put the thin screwdriver in to push the barb up so that it can bypass the wall. Not easy -- some magic and wiggling is needed. Before I understood this I had success it levering at the other end (with a screwdriver) to force the slider out. Wish I could show you my photos. Anyway, the screwdriver goes in at the top of the "T" part of the slider, on the side next to the filter. It's about 1/2" in so a piece of flat metal would be better as the round part of the screwdriver limits its depth of insert.

Hughie
September 2015

I just opened up my old canister unit. I pulled the rubber rub strips off the sides. Then slide the hard plastic strips which hold the two halves of the shell together forward towards the open bag holding end. You can then pry the two halves apart and access the cord retactor and other components

Laurie
March 2007

Just one little addition to JB's answer to avoid breaking the plastic: after pulling off the rubber siding, take a small flathead screwdriver, insert it in the the small opening at the filter end, push the screwdriver just a little bit further in the opening, this will unclip the rigid plastic siding. With the vaccum filter end facing towards you, using needlenose pliers, pull the rigid plastic siding so it slides all the way along the vacuum.

Fred and Sylvie
June 2006

The answer you received is correct in terms of taking the covers apart. I have replaced the switch in an LE and once the covers were off, it was not difficult. These switches are known to wera out and break frequently.
While it is apart, clean everything, especially the motor.

steveross@snet.net
March 2006

I also had the same problem - mine needed to be completely cleaned as the motor would not turn on. I took it in for repair and had them show me how it opens. It is not easy to explain and I would not recommend doing this yourself, because when he did it, wires and things started coming unattached -- and without knowing how to put it all back together, I would feel uncomfortable doing it myself. I think it was worth the $99 to have them get it working again.

The canister opens like a clam shell. First open the area where the bags are. Then pull off the rubber siding (let it dangle at the back end). Take a flathead screwdriver, insert it in the the small opening where you just removed the rubber siding from, twist the screwdriver 1/4 turn. If this is the first time the canister has been opened, there is a small plastic part that may break when you turn the screwdriver -- the man said this is common. Now you should be able to pull the rest of the siding off. You may want to use a needlenose pliers. It will be snug. When you pull it off, the dangling rubber siding will come off with it. Once both sidings have been removed from each side of the canister, then pull it open by pulling up on the wheel. That's all I can tell you - I didn't watch him clean the motor and I didn't watch how it goes back together. Wish you luck. Mine's been fixed - he just called today and said it was ready!

jb
August 2005