I have a Kenmore Canister Vacuum Cleaner Model #116-25614506 and as soon as you plug it in it is running.

The only way to turn it off is to unplug it. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Rachel K., September 2008

The "vacuum won't shut off" problem is caused by a faulty triac (electronic component) on the P.C.B. assembly. You have two choices, depending on your handiness:

1. Easiest: Replace the PCB: P.N.=KC86WBZRZ000
2. More difficult: Replace the triac: BTA16-600CW (ST Microelectronics): http://www.st.com/internet/com/TECHNICAL_RESOURCES/TECHNICAL_LITERATURE/DATASHEET/CD00002265.pdf

The PCB costs about $25.00 (incl. shipping) from Sears, whereas the triac costs about $1.50. Sears will not sell the triac - you'll have to find an electronics parts supplier.

You may be able to find a cheap P.C.B. (printed circuit board) on EBay.

feather5000, April 2011

I have a C10724837 that seems to have the same problem. Cannot be the hose as the vacuum keeps running when the hose is out..

Thanks for the comment Steve...I am a tinker and had not taken it apart yet. I'll check this out first for sure as it makes sense..

dave

Dave, November 2009

Is isn't the hose or the switch, it is the PCB board.

Anonymous, April 2009

In my case, the switch was not being held in place by the handle. It looked like part of the inside was malformed during manufacture.

We glued in a spare plastic piece to keep the switch from sliding backwards.

Steve, March 2009

I have a Kenmore #116-25615506 with the same problem. I ordered the pcb circuit board (KC86WBZRZ000) from SearsParts (you have to search "p.c.b." with the periods to find it on the website). Took about 10 minutes to switch out and the vacuum shuts off the way it's supposed to now! $5.99 for the part and $6.99 S/H, was a bargain rather than replace the whole unit.

Mark, January 2009

Well, that might be a problem however here is what I found (I am an electrical engineer and like to play and fix things) When I opened the hose switch area there is nothing wrong there! the switch is working fine and not stuck in the ON position. I verified that by disconnecting the hose completely and therefore the ON/OFF switch is not even connected. The vacuum cleaner still starts up with the motor running! So a new hose probably will not fix this problem.

There is a small electronic control PCB that I have no idea what it does however it might be related.

Please let me know if there is a circuit diagram available for this vacuum cleaner?

Thanks,

Efraim, October 2008

To fix this you probably need to replace the hose. It will cost you $108.49 plus shipping from sears.com. The part number is KC94PBZTZV07. It also could be that the plastic part on the handle that moves the switch on and off is broken. If you move the plastic part and you feel no resistance, it's probably just the plastic part that needs to be replaced. But, luckily your vacuum is stuck in the ON position instead of the OFF. I would just leave it like it is and continue to unplug it.

www.bobsroswellvacuum.com, September 2008