Dyson DC39 Animal - not picking up

[JohnW]

• Tweet

Hi,

I have a Dyson DC39 Animal vacuum cleaner - please can you give me some advice on a problem I’m having.

The vacuum cleaner itself has good suction when all attachments and transparent plastic bin / cyclone assembly etc are removed.

When assembled, there are no blockages in any of the tubes - I've checked thoroughly (including at the Inlet Duct Hose area.)

When all tubes are connected (but without any tools attached) it still gets good suction when I put my hand over the end of the tube i.e. the point farthest away from the main motor.

The problem is this - when the Trigger Head is attached, the rollers spin a few times and then stop spinning. When moved across the carpet, the Trigger Head doesn't pick anything up. There is still quite strong suction coming through the Trigger Head, although possibly not quite as much as there should be (I'm not absolutely sure what level of suction here is normal).

When other tools are attached e.g. the Mini Turbine - the rollers spin around quickly and the tool appears to behave normally. This tool and others pick things up from the carpet with what seems like good, if not super powerful suction.

The filter has not been washed as frequently as it should have been, although it was washed a couple of days ago.

There is a small crack in the transparent plastic bin - I've sellotaped this up to ensure a seal.

From the description above, please can you give me your thoughts - is there any part that is likely to be the cause of the problem? Or something really obvious that’s the cause of this?

I'm guessing the problem may be the Filter because it’s not been washed enough, or the Trigger Head itself (or maybe both) and I was looking at the following items with a view to trying to fix the problem.

https://manchestervacs.co.uk/Dyson/Dyson-Torx-Star-Screwdriver-Set

https://manchestervacs.co.uk/Dyson/smiths/dyson-trade-special-tools

https://manchestervacs.co.uk/Dyson/DC39-DC53-washable-filter?search=filter&description=true

Thanks in advance for your assistance and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

John

[mrdyson]

Hi John

Welcome to the site 

From your description, it sounds like your machine is fine and the issue lies with your main head.

The head on your model is powered from air flow through a turbine within the head. We know you have good airflow as it powers your other head. I would first remove the brush head and making sure it is completely clear of hair, debris etc.

Other than that, it would be a strip down of the head to have a look at the turbine. Guys - is there a strip down on here of the DC39 turbine head?

[JohnW]

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

I've tried a basic clean of the main Trigger Head (ie opening it up with a coin, sliding out the long black tube with the bristles and removing trapped hair etc) But the problem remained.

Is this likely to be repairable do you think? Or do I need to get a new main Trigger Head?

Thanks again for your time and advice.

Kind regards,

John

[MVacs]

If suction is strong at the tube where it goes into the head, I agree the head itself will be duff.

They are quite expensive those head units, but these are a cheaper option.

[mrdyson]

Internally they're powered through two belts and in my experience the spindles / cogs can seize. They can be repaired, but it's not a simple job. Also spares aren't available for these, so if you do have a faulty component you'd need another donor head for parts.

The new genuine Dyson heads are normally £50-£60 new. Alternatively you can purchase a used head - we have one on eBay here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dyson-Cylinder-Turbine-Brush-Head-Assembly-GENUINE-Vacuum-DC39-DC28c-DC54-erp-/122547162552?hash=item1c88614db8:g:To0AAOSwPK1ZP9jj

The copy head from MVacs look a viable option for the price.

[JohnW]

Thanks again for all your help and advice - this is a great website - really pleased I found this forum and Manchester Vacs.

I think I'll probably go for the cheaper replacement head - would there be a really noticeable difference between this and the original Dyson Trigger Head in terms of picking up stuff? I'm not a collector of Dysons etc (although I could easily see how how you can get into it) just looking to get the one I have working again.

I was also going to ask please - the circular panel on one side of the vacuum cleaner body came off and the screw is missing. What kind of screw is appropriate please and do you sell one?

Image attached showing location.

[ Specified attachment is not available ]
Kind regards,

John

[MVacs]

Link this topic in the comments during order and we'll bung you one in FOC. Or reply the confirmation email with a link and ask to bung a screw in.

[JohnW]

Thanks again, that's very kind of you.

John

[GeorgeJ]

They are quite expensive those head units, but these are a cheaper option.

In your experience, how do these compare to the originals? 

[MVacs]

They are quite expensive those head units, but these are a cheaper option.

In your experience, how do these compare to the originals?

Not quite as good, but quite adequate. People dont complain about them anyway.

[GeorgeJ]

They are quite expensive those head units, but these are a cheaper option.

In your experience, how do these compare to the originals?

Not quite as good, but quite adequate. People dont complain about them anyway.

What makes them not as good?  I was toying with getting one new for a 23 I'm selling.

[MVacs]

They are quite expensive those head units, but these are a cheaper option.

In your experience, how do these compare to the originals?

Not quite as good, but quite adequate. People dont complain about them anyway.

What makes them not as good?  I was toying with getting one new for a 23 I'm selling.

They are not winning any design awards is what I mean. They work OK. We put them on 23s as well.

[Madrat]

They don't look bad at all.

[GeorgeJ]

I suppose if they work perfectly fine then it's no matter. Thanks!

[Parwaz7862]

Basically Dyson turbo brushes do the opposite of a normal turbo brush- Half the suction goes to the surface you're cleaning and the other half goes to the turbine on the side. when airflow is restricted (when it hits the surface) the brushes speed up.

A normal turbo brush slows down as soon as it hits the surface as it's a "dirty air" design