I have a hoover with no power and have taken top off and tested inside top of lid, power is fine off the two top prongs which connect to the brass rail, but does not transfer to switch, have just renewed the switch thinking it maybe faulty but still not working, as this stopped dead and did not seem like it was fading, can the brushes stop a motor dead or could this be something else that maybe common.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Paul, January 2011

It might be a good idea to check the continuity of the power wiring - both live and neutral conductors - from the prongs on the plug all the way to the motor - if you have good continuity then suspect the motor and or motor brushes - if you do not have continuity on both conductors then ignore the motor.

With a small multi-meter the switch should be easy to test - there should also be an overheat safety cut out on the motor - they sometimes fail. The most usual fault in my vacuum cleaner experience is a damaged power cable at one end or another - usually the plug end. An easy fix.

Good luck...

Peccavi, January 2011