Lately, my Kirby Ultimate G has been acting funny. When I push it forward, it's fine, but when I pull it backward on the carpet, the light on the front flickers and the power flutters off an on. I thought it might be the rollers, so tonight I turned the machine over and pulled out the hair that was wrapped around the roller. However, that did not fix the problem. I should probably backtrack a little bit. In the past, I have had problems with the vacuum running over its own power cord. The hook that holds it to the machine broke off a while ago, so it has been getting caught under the machine. At one point, part of the cord covering ripped off, exposing some rope and electrical cording. I intended to purchase some electrical tape to cover this, but kept forgetting. Tonight, while vacuuming, the power flickered off and on again. Then, suddenly, there was a poof of black smoke down near the bottom of the boot. There is also a small, black, hole in the power cord near the base, and some of the wires inside have split in two entirely. I'm no expert, but I'm assuming the problem here is the electrical cord. Is this something I can easily fix myself? If so, what type of tool do I need to get the screw off of the electrical cord cover? Thanks! Stacy

KIRBY CARPET SHAMPOOER INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL DIRECTIONS

tip unit back to lift brushes off floor and roll forward until over carpet edge. tip back unit to sit flush on carpet and unlock handle so it swings freely. now pull backwards ith finger on spray trigger. that's how it works, not by pushing forwad.

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.

Adjust the height of your brush.

It sounds like your belt is broken, OR your beater bar is rotating but has not been adjusted downward to reach the carpet pile. Check by running the vacuum and looking to see if the beater is moving.

go to kirbvacuums.com and look up your model number ,they might even have a toll free number you can call

It is possible that the height adjustment on your Kirby is to close to the carpet,which could account for the problem you're having.The correct height adjustment for your Kirby is this-Lower the height adjustment down until you hear a change in the sound,then adjust one more click down.The Kirby is at the correct height for cleaning.If the carpet is different in another room,adjust it the same way for each carpet

Vibrating – that usually happens on some short fiber or very dense carpets. When nozzle goes against the carpet fiber Kirby starts jumping. Try vacuuming the same place while facing opposite way.

Belt – red arrows means DISENGAGE. When you install the nozzle on the Kirby unit while green arrows match you will not be able to turn it on red. You must follow sequence (starting from nozzle off the Kirby, green arrows match, Kirby front lifter all the way up by pressing one of the pedals):
1. Turn Kirby knob to match red arrows. You will feel some tension and hook inside of the nozzle is supposed to catch the belt and stretch forming a loop for the Kirby shaft.
2. Put the nozzle on the Kirby and lock it on with the latch.
3. Twist the knob back to match the green arrows. YOU ARE DONE

Go to GoodVac.com Kirby vacuum online manual. There are some small details that you may want to pay attention to if you have removed the brush roll to install a new belt. Also there are some pictures that will help you understanding the process.

I'm not familiar with this type of vacuum, but if it's like most kirby's the powerhead gets all its motion off the tapered spindle underneath the powerhead. IF the belt is installed backwards on this spindle then all motions are reversed. there should be an arrow stamped into the blower housing. the belt should be installed so it is nearest to the arrow in the direction of the arrow on the housing.

It could be that you have the brush settings wrong for your carpet type. Check if the brushes are on number 3, if so, try dropping them down a notch or two and see if that does it. I think that the brushes when spinning spin towards you, so when pulling the vacuum back, the brushes are helping to drive, when pushing forward, you are pushing against the brushes. If the brushes are sticking out too far, it could cause bouncing/jumping. HTH :)