Can someone help me with my Dyson DC04 which has developed a problem whereby the motor runs slow when first switched on. It sounds like it is running at half speed. After a while and after rigorous use and banging the unit, the machine the motor bursts into life.
Under pressure from the wife I have an ultimatum to either fix it or buy a nice new one!!

Mike King, October 2004

Just used this answer to fix our aging DC04 Zorbster with the same issue. I cut a bit off a business card and wedged it in the switch - works like new again.

I should point out my wife had taken it to an appliance repair "specialist" not once but twice, and they failed to fix it.

Andrew Strachan, if you ever read this - thanks :)

Newless Cloob, November 2011

This may be years out of date, but just in case anybody has the same problem. There is a little switch that gets pressed when you add\remove the bin on the DC04. Near the bottom by the Heppa filter.

When this is not pressed in, the motor slows to half speed. This can wear and fail to work. Simply jamming it with a piece of cardboard seemed to cure mine.

Andrew Strachan, April 2009

Hi, Just go to www.dyson-online.com and then click on ‘HELP & SUPPORT’ then choose either ‘Hints & Tips’ or ‘Technical Advice’. The site is fantastic. Good luck. Charles

Charles, March 2006