Top 20 Kirby Ultimate G Bagged Upright Vacuum - Page 10 Questions & Answers

Greetings from GoVacuum.com,

I'll tell you that 9 times out of 10, when a Kirby Generation doesn't turn on, it's the cord that needs to be replaced. This is by far the most common problem that we see on Kirby repairs.
The Kirby motor is very well built, and usually has a life of 30+ years (G3 is about 12-15 years now). The only other problem it could be on the Kirby would be carbon brushes, or the switch assembly.

I would first try testing the power cord, I think this will solve the problem for you. To test a cord on a Kirby Generation (all Generation models are the same machines, just different colors) first follow where the cord goes into the Kirby at the bottom. To access this cover easier, first remove the "boot" at the bottom of the outer bag. This is the plastic part at the bottom of the outer bag that connects onto the Kirby. You will see that there is a plastic cover over the cord. You will need to remove the screw that holds this cover on.



Now after you have removed the cover, pull the plug out of the machine. Once you have the cord disconnected from the machine, you can now test it to see if there is a short somewhere in the cord. You will need to purchase an inexpensive continuity tester from Home Depot, Radio Shack or most other electronic stores. This will tell you if there is power running through the cord, or if the cord is bad. With the continuity tester, plug the cord into the wall outlet, then put the positive, and negative testing rods into the female end of the cord that plugs into the machine. You will then be able to tell if the cord has continuity going through it. The tester will indicate if there's continuity or not.


The picture here shows that the cord is good. If your tester does not light up, or indicate that there is continuity, you'll simply just need to purchase a new cord. As I stated earlier, this is the most common reason that a Kirby won't turn on.

If however your cord tests OK, this indicates that the machine either needs a new motor (or carbon brushes in the motor) or it needs a new switch.



Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

What you need to do is a long process of taking apart the vacuum apart. Your fan broke so you are going to need a new one. So go to Kirbys website and look up a nearby vacuum store. Or More recommended a Kirby. It is a long process of taking the vacuum apart,

An Ultimate G has lots of suction. If you turn on your vacuum and the bag immediately inflates - that is how you can tell if your Kirby is moving air (suction). There is a more modern brush that came out with the Ultimate G Diamond and the Sentria that has stiffer bristles that dig up pet hair better.

Another way to test the suction is to spread some baking soda onto a hard floor and vacuum it up - you can see how much suction your Ultimate G has, or take off the vacuum head and put on a hose and test the suction at the end of the tube.

Ways to increase your Ultimate G cleaning efficiency. Take off the vacuum head and remove the brush roller. Attach your hose attachment and **** vacuum out the head. Put on a new belt, and remove any hair and or string or threads that may be wrapped around the brush roller. Put the roller back on and on the ends of your roller you will see that the ends spin and have numbers on them. If your vacuum brushroll is original - you could have your bristles rather worn and so you can align the #3 on BOTH sides of the brushroller. This would be a good time to consider upgrading to the Sentria Brush.
Remove the bag, and replace with the CLOTH Kirby bag. It has the best filtration and it has the best airflow (which increases what you are referring to as suction). If you want to go the cheap route - at least get the paper Micron Magic with HEPA filtration (but it has slightly less air flow)
Remove the side mini emptor from the vacuum and check to see if there is anything clogged up on either the vacuum or the mini-emptor.
If your engine is running and inflating the bag and you replace the belt, the brush roller and to the cloth dust bag - your vacuum should pretty much run like a brand new Sentria Vacuum. Your vacuum system is outstanding, but may benefit from a little TLC if you have been neglecting it.

Hello,

We actually recorded a very informative video repair with this exact problem. This will walk you through step by step on how to replace the belt (the rubber part) on all Kirby Generation uprights (including your Ultimate G). Also it will show you how to do basic maintenance on the brush while you have it out.

If you haven't already purchased a new belt, here's a direct link to the belt your vacuum uses on our website:
Kirby Generation Vacuum Cleaner Belt. Kirby Part # 301291A

If this video is helpful to you, please help other Fixya users that have the same problem find this video by rating the repair helpful. You can do this by clicking on the 4 Thumbs Up Icons in the top right hand corner. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Here's the video:






Chris J.
GoVacuum

lower the shampooer head all the way to the bottom setting, or one click higher if the carpet is really thick. This will allow the solution to spread the entire width of the shampoo brush roller.

Greetings from GoVacuum,

Here's an easy to understand and follow video review on how to attach the carpet shampooer to the Kirby Generation vacuum cleaners. The model that's being used in this video is a little newer model, the Sentria, but the procedure to attach the carpet cleaning attachment is the same exact repair on the Sentria as it is on your Kirby Ultimate G.

I hope this helps!

http://kirbywhq.powweb.com/videos/Carpet_Shampoo.mov


If that helped, please be kind and rate the video as helpful by clicking on the Thumbs Up Icon below. If you have any questions about how to install it, please just request a repair clarification and I'll be more then happy to help you.

Thanks for watching! Feel free to check out our website for all your Kirby vacuuming needs;
http://www.govacuum.com

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

YOU NEED TO CHECK THE WIRE, SAFETY SWITCHES & POWER SWITCH, ONE OF THEM HAVE PROBLEM

I have a kirby Diamond series and the 'green light' on the upper right side (while standing behind the vaccum) does not come on and when it doesn't come on I noticed that it does not sound as though it is picking up at all. I have changed the belt, placed a new bag in it and made sure that there is no clogs. What else could it be?

www.goodvac.com/Articles.asp?ID=153

full and complete instructions

Hello,
you can order one on our website:
http://www.goodvac.com/Kirby_Ultimate_G_manual_p/k-sup-mnl-260001.htm

Good Luck,
Rocky

I just did and it's multiple steps but not too hard.

There are complete detailed explanations if you do a search engine on kirby shampooer instructions. I found one explanation on Ebay, and another on EHow. www.goodvac.com/Articles.asp?ID=153

Step one - vacuum your carpet more thoroughly than you usually do. Each back and forth pass - four times.

Take off the dirt bag and the head off of your Kirby.

Where the dirt bag attaches to the Kirby is where the shampoo mixing container goes. Before you attach the mixing container on there take your container and fill it to the 1st line for a very small area, 2nd for a medium sized area, and to the third line for an average sized bedroom. A large living room may need a second container. For the solution - you must use Kirby shampoo. If you fill to the first water line - use one capful, 2nd line 2 capfuls, and etc. Make sure the sponge filter is positioned on the mixing container in the spot where it hooks onto the vacuum (mini-emptor).

The shampoo brushhead I find to be the biggest challenge because that L-shaped tube attachment gets in the way of the belt lifter when you try to hook on the belt. The belt is going to hook on the brushroller the same way it does on your vacuum head. Pop the brush roller in the head of the shampooer and then sit that head onto the tray mechanism.

Once you puzzle piece everything together and now ready to shampoo. Let me tell ya this - after the hassle of putting everything together - just do the whole room and make it worth the bother.

Turn the machine on, and lower the shampoo head ALL THE WAY DOWN, unless your carpet is ultra thick and then maybe just one click up. Turn the dial on the shampoo mixing container to on. Push the machine forward rather quick and pull back slow. Do overlapping passes.This will spread the foam nice and evenly. Let the foam sit for about 5 minutes, then turn the dial to off and go back over it slowly forward and backwards massaging the foam solution deep into your carpet fibers. Then let it sit for 2 - 3 hours. Then vacuum really thoroughly. Right after I go through the shampooing process and the carpet is still moist - I use a carpet brush and I scrub the foam even deeper into the carpet.

Good luck. Hopefully you will be motivated in the fact that I just did mine and the high traffic carpet looks really good. I just had clients come in and they noticed the difference right away, as it looks like a pro came in and did the job.

Greetings,

If you click the link below it will take you to a video demonstration that explains step by step what you need to do to convert your Kirby into a carpet shampooer. The vacuum in the video is the Kirby Sentria, but the procedure is the EXACT same as it is on your Kirby Diamond Edition, Kirby Generation 3, G4, G5, G6, etc. All Generation models have the same process of converting the vacuum into a carpet shampooer.

Instructional Video On How To Attach The Kirby Generation Series Carpet Shampoo Attachment:
http://kirbywhq.powweb.com/videos/Carpet_Shampoo.mov

I hope that this video was helpful to you. Please feel free to request a clarification if you have any further questions about the installation, I'm always more then happy to answer any question, seriously.

If you did find this video helpful, please kindly rate my soltuion as Helpful by clicking the Thumbs Up Icon at the the bottom right hand corner of this page.

Thanks for watching!

Chris

The button is for high speed/low speed or suction.

The green light is just to inform you that the brushroll is spinning. there is a magnet on the brushroll that makes the green light come on every time it rotates. also why it looks like the light flickers because the magnet only makes contact once per rotation of your brushroll. Let me know if you have any other questions.

check where the plug goes in the unit. the connector go bad

There's nothing wrong with it. It's like an automatic transmission to help move the kirby across the floor. It is supposed to make vacuuming easier.

Greetings,

You may need to just purchase the the little c-clips that hold the wheels onto the axle. Kirby Vacuums actually have a hub cap on their rear wheels that can be removed to access the axle end with the c-clip. If you take a flat head screwdriver, and pry off the plastic part of the wheel off of the rubber part, you should be able to see the end of the axle. There should be a little tiny c-clip at the end of the axle that holds the rear wheel in place. Is that clip there on both sides?

If yes, then you may need to replace the entire axle assembly. If they are missing these clips are available for purchase through many online websites including our own, govacuum.com.

If this repair didn't fix your Kirby, please contact me, I'm happy to try and diagnosis this further with you. If it did help, please rate the repair as helpful, thank you.

Chris J.

I will make a slide show with pictures to help fix your kirby.

Greetings from GoVacuum,

Here's an easy to understand and follow video review on how to attach the carpet shampooer to the Kirby Generation 6 (G6). The model that's being used in this video is a little newer model, the Sentria, but the procedure to attach the carpet cleaning attachment is the same exact repair on the Sentria as it is on your Kirby G6 vacuum.

I hope this helps!

http://kirbywhq.powweb.com/videos/Carpet_Shampoo.mov


If that helped, please be kind and rate the video as helpful by clicking on the Thumbs Up Icon below. If you have any questions about how to install it, please just request a repair clarification and I'll be more then happy to help you.

Thanks for watching! Feel free to check out our website for all your Kirby vacuuming needs;
http://www.govacuum.com

Chris

Check fuse in the plug or better still if you have and can use multimeter check voltage present @ switch