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How to Replace a Motor on a Vax Multifunction Cleaner

If the motor in your Vax multifunction cleaner has become faulty you may think that buying a new appliance is the only road to take. Luckily here eSpares we can not only provide you with a replacement motor but talk you through how to replace it.

For reference we have chosen to use a Vax 6131 multifunction cleaner, before making any purchase of a replacement motor please ensure you have confirmed your model number. The model number should be located on sticker found on the cleaners handle - it is recommended to write the number down as to perform this repair you will need to remove the label.

Compared to other vacuum cleaners, this repair may be a little more tricky but if you take your time you will be able to complete the repair and get back to cleaning the floors throughout your home once again.

This video shows an example on how to remove or replace the part on a typical machine, some models may be different but the procedure should be similar.

  What You Will Need:

  Step 1 - Safety Advice

Safety First! Please ensure that you have disconnected the appliance from the mains before starting any repair.

  Step 2 - Getting to the Motor

To begin we need to remove the head of the cleaner- within the head is where the motor is housed. To remove the handle cover there are two screws holding it in place one on the side and one under the sticker.

Important Warranty Information:

Removing the sticker on the handle will void any warranty you have on the machine. However you're here because the warranty has more than likely expired leaving you stranded with a faulty vacuum cleaner.

Carrying on, you next need to remove the power cable. The cable is secured by a cable guard, which is held in place by two screws so these can be removed also..

  Step 3 - Removing the Switches

With the cable guard removed, you will see that the cable is connected to the terminal block by two screws.

eSpares top Tip: Now we always recommend that we take a photo of any wiring before you disconnect it, this will help you later when refitting the wires again later

Now we can remove the handle and the motor cover from what is known as the cowl, this is the lower outer section to the cleaners head unit. Held in place by two bolts; these are located either side of the handle.

Before you remove them you’ll want to free both the switches from their position in the handle so when I remove the handle they will remain wired. This bit might be a little tricky so with a little patience and a flat-head screwdriver, prise the bottom of the switch while pulling up with your fingers. With the switches removed you can use a socket wrench to remove the bolts.

  Step 4 - Swapping the Seal

With the bolts removed you can now remove the motor exhaust cover after removing a single screw on the side. You’ll want to keep a hold of the seal which sits on top of the old motor - the new motor doesn't come with one. However if you do require one check our online catalogue here for a replacement.

You’ll need to disconnect another two wires, so as stated earlier take a photo for reference. Now remove the spade clip by holding onto the connector and not the wire as you may disconnect it from the clip. If a tad bit tricky you can use a pair of needle-nose pliers to help ease the connector away..

  Step 5 - Separating the Cowl

As we’re now close to finishing the repair, you need to separate the cowl from the motor base it will be held in place by three bolts. Using your socket wrench remove your bolts.

With the bolts removed you can separate the cowl from the motor base, it should still be connected by a hose, therefore be careful when separating as you don’t want to damage the hose.

  Step 6 - Fitting the Motor

Now simply just lift out the motor, you’ll need to re-use the seal found at the bottom of the motor - unfortunately like the top seal this also is not supplied with the new motor. You’re now ready to fit the new motor - line it up the same as it was when the old one came out.

With the motor in place you can now refit the cowl. Re-secure the cowl making sure that the motor base and cowl are lined up. Once everything is in place it’s now time to put everything back together.

Don’t Forget: Put your old seal on the top of your new motor.

  Step 7 - Reassembly

Following the steps backwards you can begin fitting everything back in place. When you come to refit the connectors, remember to refer to the photo you took earlier on to correctly reconnect the motor up.

There you have it! A once faulty Vax vacuum cleaner brought back to life with little cost compared to a new machine or call out charge. Hopefully we have shown you just how easy it is to replace the motor on a Vax Multifunction cleaner.

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