The switchbladenozzles web site is down, but here is the content from the trouble shooting page circa 2008 from archive.org:
(SCHWINN BIKE) PUMP
• Using the SWITHCBLADE pump nozzle (both 5-in-1 and 4-in-1):
EXPLAINING THE INTERNAL SWITCHING MECHANISM
To get best results from your SWITCHBLADE equipped pump, it is helpful to understand how the automatic switching
mechanism works. The internal switch (changing the air from flowing to the hole for bike tires to the needle for
sport balls) senses back pressure from the object you are trying to inflate. When you insert the needle into the
ball, (or put the nozzle on a bike tire valve) the back pressure inside the ball (or tire) flows into the nozzle
and pushes the switching mechanism to shut off the outlet you are not using.
PROBLEM: Air is escaping through the wrong outlet
NOTE: In the case of a new pump/nozzle OR a pump/nozzle that has not been used for a long time, it is possible
excess lubricant used in the manufacturing process and/or dirt have caused the switch to stick in place.
Don NOT attempt to block the outlet you are not using. Common sense tells you to do this, but in fact it will
only create back pressure in the channel you do not want to use and actually further block air from being
directed to the correct outlet.
FIRST SOLUTION
After making sure your nozzle is firmly attached to the tire valve (or in the case of a sport ball, the needle
is firmly and completely inserted into the ball) give three to five quick firm strokes of the pump. Doing this
should create enough back pressure in the nozzle to free up the mechanism and activate the switch.
SECOND SOLUTION
In certain circumstances, the two most common of which are a brand new bicycle inner tube (note: many new inner
tubes actually have NEGATIVE pressure inside, as they have had the air sucked out of them at the factory to make
it easier to put the tube inside the packaging) or a totally flat sport ball, rapid firm pumping may not be
enough to activate the switch. In these cases do the following:
SPORT BALL:
Insert needle is firmly and completely into the ball.
Give the ball a hard squeeze (this will force air up the needle and trigger the internal switch).
Well said and 100% correct, thank you!
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I had the same problem until I found this website. It still doesn't give complete instructions, but it explains how to get air to pump through the nozzle. The metal lever should be in the "up" position when you are pumping. It's the opposite of most other bike pumps.
http://www.switchbladenozzles.com/trouble_shooting.htm
I HAD THIS PROBLEM AS WELL, BUT FIXED MY 1100. SOMEONE RECOMMENDED BLOWING INTO THE END TO DEPRESS THE INTERNAL BALL DEVICE OR TAPP IT LIKE CRAZY. THIS PROMPTED ME TO DEPRESS MINE WITH A SCREWDRIVER, PUSHING UTIL IT CLICKED AND CAUSING IT TO RECESS ABOUT 1/4 OF AN INCH. THIS FIXED THE THING AND LEAD ME TO THINK IT WAS NOT ASSEMBLED COMPLETELY OR THE TOLERANCES OF THE PLASTIC PARTS ARE VERY CLOSE. IT NOW WORKS FINE, SO OF COURSE YOU NEED TO TAKE THE RUBBER BOOT AND PLASTIC BUTTON OUT BEFORE YOU DEPRESS THE FLAT INTERNAL SURFACE, THE ONE WITH THE TINY HOLE ON THE EDGE. GOOD LUCK.
I fixed my airdriver 1100 permanently and quickly by:
1) With the lever down, use a pin punch or nail to press out the silver pin that holds the lever on.
2) Insert a 3/16 inch punch or such to press against the shrader valve depressor to push the head parts out of the housing.
3) Throw away the little 1/4 inch rubber ball. It is the problem.
4) Re-assemble the unit as before - takes only a few seconds.
5) Screw in firmly a fat stubby bolt into the small air hole closest to the air hose.
6) You are done. Remember that this pump lever works in reverse. With the lever down, press the head on the tire valve stem firmly, then raise the lever and start pumping. If it does not pump it is because you did not press the head firmly enough to the valve stem before raising the lever.
7) To remove, flip the lever down and pull off.
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The pump works well for bike tires... the Ball option however doesn't work. It used to work very well simply by flipping the nozzle.
I'll try the knocking option.
First, I assume you know that unlike older bike tires the new ones need the cap removed from the stem and the center thing unscrewed to inflate tem. My tires were flat and unable to produce any back pressure, so I blew into the nozzle of my pump to accuate the ball while pumping. You'll know when it changes ! Then I rotated my tire until the stem was on top (faced down) so the ball in the pump wouldn't fall back out of possition while clipping it on. It may take a few tries but it's not too bad. I also added a couple extra pounds of pressure because I knew I was going to lose a little while unclipping. Best of luck...the pump's not actually possessed like you think !...lol
Your comment was the most useful of all of them. I rotated my tires until the valve was pointing to the ground. Next I unscrewed the valve cover and then unscrewed the tire valve itself. I used the gold screw insert - wider portion is screwed down over the tire valve. This unit is fit into the pump hose with the silver lever in the pushed in position. Note: the narrower and longer portion of the gold screw is inserted into the pump. Once tight, the pump lever is moved from the closed position (down) to the open position (lever is now horizontal). You're ready to pump. Thanks to the person who wrote just above me for making things clear.
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Thank you so much! I'd bought this pump used (for $10) off Craigslist only to find that it was jammed to come out only the ball pump. Using the instructions at http://www.switchbladenozzles.com/trouble_shooting.htm
I was able to get it working to pump up the bicycle tires.
Now I'm very happy with this pump!
Thanks for the suggestions. had pumped up my medicine ball and then couldn't get it to work properly for my bike tires. a few good, swift pumps - got it switched over. now how to keep the valve from popping off the rubber gasket so it doesn't require 3 hands to pump up my bike tires.....
Here's the easy, less detailed description to solve the problem.
1.The valve in this thing sucks.
2. Blow HARD through the side you wish to function correctly to move the crappy valve to the right position. IE bike side to pump a bike, Ball side to pump a ball.
3. It may switch back, rinse and repeat.
If asked to recommend this product to someone else...I would decline. I give a thumbs up to txgardener for the correct answer with technical details. I just distilled it down a bit.
I give BRIANLHACKBA a thumbs up for the jerryrigged answer.
Plus me if this helps.
I just put in a new tube , the best way to fill it ? put your thumb on the inside of the tire, at the end of the valve .pump it a couple of times to cause back pressure. then it's a piece of cake.
Easy solution. Order a "Park PFP-3 Pump Hose and Head." Cost is about $7. Disconnect the hose on the Schwinn pump. Connect the new hose - it's a perfect fit and works simply and beautifully. I did exactly this and the worthless pump that had been sitting in my garage now works perfectly.
My solution is to take it back to the store you got it from and leave it there -- even if they don't give you your money back!!
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