Where is the safety switch on the kirby g 4 - Kirby G4 Bagged Upright Vacuum

power switch faulty, slow speed terminal inside switch is burnt,hence

intermittent fault, hose uses second speed different lever inside switch

hi, i can help you if you know how to use a VOM.
we will test for continuity.

tnx 4 using fixya,

drcool

Hi There,

Here's a step by step guide explaining what you have to do to change your Kirby from a vacuum into a blower:


Step 1. Make Sure That Your Kirby is Unplugged from the wall. Remove the front nozzle of the machine by lifting the housing that contains the headlight upwards. Now rotate the belt lifter from the green "Belt On" setting to the red "Belt Off" position:


Step 2. With the belt lifter turned to the red "Belt Off" setting, Turn the knob at the top of the bell shaped agitator housing to release the brush housing from the vacuum:



Step 3. Locate the attachment called the saftey cup that attaches on the Kirby in the exact same place as the brush housing did. This part does two things; Activates the safety switch to the left of the fan, and secondly covers the opening to the fan chamber to prevent anything from getting inside the fan housing and damaging it.



Step 4. Once you install the safety cup it is a good idea to check if the vacuum is working. If it is not (assuming it did work with the nozzle) - check if safety cup switch actuator isn't broken (see picture).

If it works then but it does not when you install the hose (next step) you will know that you did not turn the hose far enough.


Step 5. Take the bag off the Kirby. On the bigger end of the hose there is a line that you have to match with a little bump on the kirby fan housing (marked with red dots). Push the end of the hose over the Kirby exhaust as far as it can go.



Step 6. Turn this hose end clockwise (you may have to apply considerable force).


Step 7. It has to be turned far enough to press another safety switch that is on the unit just behind the exhaust neck.



Step 7. You are done and ready to use it as a blower. We would recommend turning it on outside. Hose may have some dust accumulated on the inside and it may blow a lot of dust in the first few seconds of use. Also shake the hose well while outside to loosen any dust/dirt accumulations on the inside.

Be very careful when blowing dust out of computers or other electronics.
1. Dirt from inside of the hose may damage components.
2. Airflow is so strong that it may break circuit boards if they are not well mounted around the perimeter.
3. Using Kirby a lot of static electricity may be generated that may cause circuit failure due to electrostatic discharge (harmless to people - deadly to electronics).

NEVER operate blower with the nozzle on. There are 3 important reasons for that:
1. Kirby is designed to have much higher RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) with the hose or safety cup so it will push more air than with the nozzle.
2. If you use kirby as a blower with the nozzle - dust and dirt that is in the nozzle from vacuuming carpets and/or rugs will be blown into the air.
3. If there is nothing (no nozzle no safety cup) Kirby vacuum simply will not turn on.

I really hope that the above instructions were helpful to you in converting your Kirby into a blower. If you have a question on any of the steps, please feel free to use the comment field to ask them, I'm always more then happy to answer any follow up questions you may have.

If this was helpful to you, please be so kind and rate the repair helpful, or by leaving feedback for me. This is really appreciated by the Fixya community when a repair was able to solve your problem.

Thanks again,

Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com

Make sure cord is not damaged. Check to see nothing is blocking hose or carpet nozzle(where beater brush is or brush roll). Plug unit in to a receptacle that you know has power going to it. (Lamp you know works when plugged into same. Using hose on front, make sure bag bottom completely attached to exhaust, the hose has a little arm like thing that will depress the safety switch on the front of the unit, and turn on using foot switch at the back of the unit. If these do not work, it could be one of two safety switches, dirt may have fouled or switch may need to be replaced. Authorized Kirby Dealer in your area: Replacement parts, Kirby Distributor, call: 1-800-437-7170 United States and Canada

Blower instructions HERE. It MUST help.
If you put it back together as VACUUM and it works with hose (attached to suction) and the nozzle - no problems with Kirby. Then you must not be turning the hose on the exhaust all the way. Sometimes it is pretty hard...Or maybe the safety sup plastic that presses the safety switch on the front of the unit is broken.

Good Luck,
Rocky

Reason number 1 (not sure why Kirby Co. still has not fixed it) - improperly installed outer bag. You have to push the bag all the way to the unit so it presses the safety switch that is between exhaust and the vacuum shell

Reason 2 - defective cord - try wiggling it. If you know how to do it - try removing cord and supplying power directly to the unit using another cord or wire (ONLY if you know how to work with electricity.If you get zapped - do not blame me)

Reason 3 - bad power switch (instructions on how to replace it HERE)

Reason 4 (very unlikely) - motor KAPUT

Reason number 1 (not sure why Kirby Co. still has not fixed it) -improperly installed outer bag. You have to push the bag all the way tothe unit so it presses the safety switch that is between exhaust andthe vacuum shell

Reason 2 - defective cord - try wiggling it. Ifyou know how to do it - try removing cord and supplying power directlyto the unit using another cord or wire (ONLY if you know how to workwith electricity.If you get zapped - do not blame me)

Reason 3 - bad power switch (instructions on how to replace it HERE)

Reason 4 (very unlikely) - motor KAPUT

Good Luck
Rocky
:-)

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Kirby
Posted by ronholliehaw on July 17, 2008
Hello, I have a Generation 3 Kirby- it was working - I turned it off & it will not turn on again - is there a safety switch /reset button or did the on/off switch go out - I have had it 15 years & replaced the switch 1 time - Thanks
Hello,
I would advise you to ALWAYS to FIRST UNPLUG YOUR VACUUM before beginning any service procedure. The chances are it is the safety switch 1st and the foot switch 2nd. The safety switch is in the front of the fan housing of witch the bell housing hooks into. Both are about the same price plus labor. So feel free to do it yourself or to contact your local vacuum cleaner dealer in your area. So if you need further assistance, please feel free to contact your local vacuum cleaner dealer in your area or in the yellow pages, or contact the factory phone number or website to further assist you with your questions.
http://kirby.com/
Customer Service – U. S. & Canada
1-800-494-8586
Hours 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
Mail To: Consumer Relations
The Kirby Company
1920 West 114 Street
Cleveland, OH 44102
Thanks, Don the Vac Man
Go Ahead. Use Us.

There are 2 safety switchs, one on the front that the nozzle activates, and one on the side that the bag asembly activates. The motor brushes and/or armature maybe bad.

Try removing the nozzle and poking a screwdriver in the little slot for the safety switch and seeing if it runs. Maybe the nozzle's poker isn't pushing it in adequately?