Thread Number: 38859  /  Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
HELP! Hoover DAM not turning on
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Post# 412733   8/14/2019 at 16:06 (1,688 days old) by Ctvacman (CT)        

So went to turn on my NOS DAM this afternoon after changing the belt and the light bulb comes on but nothing from the motor. What could cause this?

Post# 412753 , Reply# 1   8/14/2019 at 22:08 (1,688 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Oh no. Sorry to hear that.

I always fantasize about buying a NOS vacuum off Ebay - especially a never-used Eureka from the 60’s or 70’s. But I have often wondered if a motor that has not been turned on in 30 or 40 years could actually come alive again. I am no electrical engineer, but maybe these motors can’t be revived after 40 years of non-use?


Post# 412754 , Reply# 2   8/14/2019 at 22:18 (1,688 days old) by bnsd60m9200 (Akron OH)        

bnsd60m9200's profile picture
does the motor spin freely if turned by hand? try that and get back to me

Post# 412763 , Reply# 3   8/15/2019 at 01:17 (1,688 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)        

madman's profile picture
Try some percussive maintenance.

ie, smack it.


Post# 412775 , Reply# 4   8/15/2019 at 07:13 (1,687 days old) by ctvacman (CT)        
Got it back on

Motor spun freely, I left the switch on and spun the motor backwards and it came to life. First instinct was to smack it which didn’t do anything lol.

Post# 412778 , Reply# 5   8/15/2019 at 07:59 (1,687 days old) by bnsd60m9200 (Akron OH)        

bnsd60m9200's profile picture
sounds like most nos vacuums. carbons were probably stuck on the commutator. needed help to get it going

Post# 412812 , Reply# 6   8/15/2019 at 22:09 (1,687 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)        

madman's profile picture
If it wasn't nos, I would've said the motor has a dead spot. But I second the brushes being stuck.

Post# 412846 , Reply# 7   8/16/2019 at 21:59 (1,686 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Humidity can wreak havoc on lots of things depending on where the seller(s) kept it. 50-60 years in a box, the grease or lubrication oil will have gummed up, and like what happened here, the carbon blocks bonded to the motor as well from being damp so much. It's kind of like a barn find car - it may be barely used and low miles, but being stored that long without touching it will ruin it.

I have a jukebox in my basement from the 1970's and it broke down in the early 2000's and haven't found anyone to professionally overhaul it on-site since then. After 20 years of disuse, the grease is really sticky and tacky and all the mechanical parts are off-sync and it squeaks like crazy.


Post# 412869 , Reply# 8   8/17/2019 at 20:10 (1,685 days old) by Ctvacman (CT)        

I’m glad that it’s not a total loss. I can deal with having to occasionally spin the brush roll before starting.

Post# 412870 , Reply# 9   8/17/2019 at 20:26 (1,685 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)        

eurekaprince's profile picture
Interesting to learn that humidity can affect the workings of a NOS vacuum cleaner in a never-opened box. It does make sense.

I guess vintage cleaners from a dry arid climate like Arizona might survive better after several decades of storage. Good news for collectors in the southwest USA!



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