Fixing Our Dyson DC-25 Vacuum

Project:
Fixing our dyson DC-25 vacuum that stopped working

Difficulty Level (Easy, Medium, Hard, Insane):
Easy

Process:
My wife called me in a mad panic telling me that her Dyson DC-25 ball type vacuum had stopped working. I had a suspicion that it could be the plug since it's almost 6 years old. Unfortunately, the warranty has already run out so I knew I'd have do to some trouble shooting.

The steps I followed to diagnose the problem were as follows:

1. Test the switch to make sure it works
2. Test whether there's proper voltage when plugged in
3. Test the continuity of the hot wire from the plug to the switch
4. Test the continuity of the neutral wire from the plug to the switch

1-3 were all fine, but #4 was the issue. Looking at the plug, the neutral pin was wiggling around and combined with the loss of continuity I knew that was the problem.

Once I knew what the problem was, fixing it was very easy. Cut off the bad plug and install a new one. Vacuum's back up and running!

Videos:

 
Pictures:

Taking all the accessories off the vacuum

Close-up of the back of the vaccum with the 3 holes holding the switch in place

Underneath the switch cover at the front

Switch is working

Voltage is definitely too low

Testing the resistance of the hot wire

Hot wire with proper (negligible) resistance

Testing the neutral wire

Neutral wire has too much resistance to the plug

Fixed vacuum

Heavy-duty plug

Tools:
Screwdriver
Side cutter
Multi meter

Materials:
1 electrical plug

Cost:
$5.00

Time:
30 minutes

Savings:
$150.00

Conclusion:
Vacuum is working again and my wife is very happy about it! Yes, she does love to vacuum...it's therapeutic for her...so she says...