The power cord is shorted out where it enters the body of the vacuum. I have removed all the screws I can find but cannot still open the access to the power cord and switch. It appears to be held by the upper part of the handle, which according to the Operation Instructions was customer assembled. However, I cannot remove the upper part of the handle either. I'm stuck, can someone help?

Brian Davelaar, August 2006

You will need a small posidrive screwdriver and a terminal screwdriver, as well as wire cutters and strippers. The replacement cable should be 0.6mm twin core flex, at least 6m long, but you will probably want to make it longer, the cable holders will accommodate 10m easily. You will also need a new plug as the original is moulded on and cannot be reused; this should be fitted with a 13A fuse.

First take the hose off the upper support (you do not need to unscrew it from the main body), then unscrew the single screw at the bottom of the handle (from the rear). The handle will then slide off to the rear.

Remove front panel (as if changing the bag) and remove the bag. Undo the two screws at the top of the bag compartment, then lift the small cover forwards and up. This will give access to the main terminal block.

Slacken off the cable grip screws and the grip plate can then be rotated upwards to free the cable, then tightening the top screw will keep it out of the way whilst you are working!

Replace the cable! I suggest you use the old cable as a template to get the wire lengths right. The Neutral wire is slightly longer than the phase (live) wire. Phase (Brown) is the lower terminal, and neutral (Blue) is the upper terminal. Refix the cable grip and replace the cover (it needs to be offered up to the top first, then hinged down) and refix with the two smaller screws, then replace the handle and fix with the longer screw.

Barry, July 2007