I need to replace the bag full sensor. With a new bag installed the vacuum stops when I attach the hose which is completely open upon which the bag full indicator lights up and shuts down the vacuum.

Donald R. Garvick, April 2007

Ty, these directions worked for me and I have an old electrolux 2100, so I'm guessing that these instructions will probably work for most electrolux canister vacuums, and now that I finally got my electrolux open, I'm gonna attempt to explain the process even clearer for anyone else trying this for the 1st time :

1) To open an electrolux canister vacuum both rubber bumpers on the sides need to slide forward and be taken off the vacuum ... then the clam shell case can be taken apart

2) Start by opening the bag cover door, remove the bag, and leave the bag cover door open, also pull the power cord out 12 inches so the plug doesn't get bent up during this process

3) Lay the vacuum on it's side and wedge a thin flathead screwdriver, or a small putty knife, in the goove between the side bumper and the back end of the vacuum, now strike the screw driver or putty knife firmly with a hammer or rubber mallet in an effort to push the side bumper and start it sliding towards the front of the vacuum, once it starts sliding grab the bumper and slide it off the rest of the way by hand

4) Now turn the vacuum onto the other side, and follow the same process, once both bumpers are removed, you can now get inside the vacuum, but you may need to pull 1 or 2 rubber tubes off their plastic fittings to lift the top off

5) When initially opening the vacuum try to keep it right side up so the motor and cord retractor don't fall out of place

T-man, June 2012

Wow - I was skeptical, but this worked like a champ. Suggestions to get it back together. I'm a mechanical engineer and the best I could do ended up cracking the end plate...

jsv, December 2008

The control valve has gone bad. This is the dial that you move on the top of the vacuum that has numbers on it.
You cannot do anything to bypass this problem from outside the machine.
The part can be bought at the local outlet. You should look in your local yellow pages for Aerus (new name for electrolux) under vacuum cleaners, or go to www.aerusonline.com and find your local dealer. It is not too expensive to have fixed, it is a common issue with later model electroux vacuums.

To open the vacuum and get at the valve--

If you want to open the machine, the two bumpers on either side, that say ELECTROUX hold the egg shell together. This is the process....
1. remove the bag, leave the bag cover open
2. lay the vacuum on its side on the floor with the bag cover to your right hand side.
3. place screw driver blade flat against the bumper on the opposite end from the bag cover, near the cordwinder cover, strike the screw driver firmly with a hammer, this will unlock the bumper and it will slide off toward the bag end of the machine.
4. turn the vacuum onto the other side, and follow the same process.
5. after both bumpers are removed you can get into the vacuum.

You can e-mail me at danddvacuum@comcast.net for advice

VACFIXER, April 2007