I purchased a replacement switch from Sears for a Kenmore 116.22813205 canister vacuum powermate handle. But I cannot disassemble the handle. After removing the three screws, the two outer halves of the handle are still locked together by some hidden locking device. I assume that the hidden locking is to discourage owner repairs. Can someone tell me how to disassemble the powermate handle? (The handle is the one at the end of the powermate hose).

Charles Wenz, December 2008

Thanks. I never would have found the forth screw!
You can dismantle the swivel at the other end of the hose enough to expose the contact rings. They can get dirty enough to break the electrical contact. Cleaning the contact rings fixed my problem.
To dismantle: look up the plastic on each side of the group of three electrical prongs. Near the top of that you will see a small rectangular hole. With a small screwdriver push in the tab in each hole while pulling down on the cylindrical plastic -- the part that would insert into the canister. (It helps to have three hands to do this.) It comes apart easily. THe little assembly with the three prongs and three brushes falls out. It's all easy to clean and reassemble. To reassemble place the brushes and prongs in the right place and slide the cylindrical plastic piece back on.

L Shar, February 2009

After removing the screws you'll need to use a screwdriver to pry off the top plate that surrounds the switch button on the top of the handle.. No it won't break. You'll see another screw inside. Remove it and pry apart the two handle halves. The switch has 2 (or 3) wires connected to the hose wires by slip connectors. Go in reverse to reassemble.
Do you have any idea how to separate the other end of the hose from the swivel? Can't seem to manage that one. Hope this helps

Daniel Barker, December 2008