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How to Change the Motor in a Kenmore Canister Vacuum

Marshal M. Rosenthal
By Marshal M. Rosenthal Updated September 26, 2017

The motor in a vacuum cleaner is responsible for creating the suction power that picks up the dust and other contaminants from a floor, draperies or other dusty surface. To change a malfunctioning or disabled motor in a Sears Kenmore-brand canister vacuum cleaner, perform a partial disassembly of its case. You will need a replacement motor, which you can acquire from select Sears stores, along with a few tools that you can commonly find around your home.

  1. Unplug the Sears Kenmore-brand canister vacuum cleaner's power cord from the AC outlet.

  2. Flip the cover latch to release the Kenmore's outer case. Lift the outer case up to reveal the dust bag inside. Pull off the cover from the dust bag. With your hands, twist the cardboard tab at the end of the dust bag off the nozzle it is attached to. Place the bag aside for use later.

  3. Insert the tip of a flat-edged jeweler's screwdriver into the notch in the hinge of the outer cover. Push in on the tip as you pull the outer cover off the Kenmore. Place the outer cover aside.

  4. Pull the filter assembly off the nozzle. Place the filter assembly aside.

  5. Remove the screws from the four corners of the interior cover, closest to the back, with a Phillips jeweler's screwdriver.

  6. Angle the interior cover towards the back of the Kenmore as you lift it up and off the body of the vacuum cleaner. Place it aside but do not break the wires that are attached to it.

  7. Remove the two screws from the sides of the motor base cover that was beneath the interior cover, using the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver. Pull the motor base cover off the Kenmore and place it aside.

  8. Loosen the two screws on the motor that is now revealed, with the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver. Unwind the wires from the screws. Lift the motor out of the Kenmore and dispose of it properly.

  9. Place the replacement motor in the Kenmore in the same position as that of the motor that you just removed. Loosen the screws on the motor with the Philips jeweler's screwdriver. Wind the two wires around the screws. Tighten the screws.

  10. Place the motor base cover over the motor and reattach the screws. Place the interior cover over the motor base cover and reattach the screws.

  11. Return the filter assembly and the dust bag to the interior of the Kenmore. Reattach the hinge of the outer cover to the Kenmore. Close the outer cover on the Kenmore and snap the outer cover back on the Kenmore and close the latch. Screw the hose's nozzle back on the outer cover. Plug the Kenmore's power cord into the AC outlet.

References

Tips

  • Take the opportunity during the disassembly to replace the internal filters; this will improve the suction performance of the vacuum cleaner.
  • Place the screws in a paper cup for safekeeping.

Writer Bio

Marshal M. Rosenthal is a technology maven with more than 15 years of editorial experience. A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography with a Bachelor of Arts in photographic arts, his editorial work has appeared both domestically as well as internationally in publications such as "Home Theater," "Electronic House," "eGear," "Computer and Video Games" and "Digitrends."

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