Dyson & Sebo Vacuum Cleaner Repair & Advice Forums

Dyson Models => Dyson DC04 => Topic started by: duncan_a on February 03, 2018, 03:56:33 pm

Title: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: duncan_a on February 03, 2018, 03:56:33 pm
Hi
I have an ancient Dyson DC-04 (purple and pink) that has stopped picking up properly.
The 'suck' seems fine and the brush bar does rotate, but the clutch control won't rotate fully into the Auto position, so I suspect that the brush-bar may not be getting full power and may be stalling when faced with any actual work.
Is this a possible scenario?
Is this a known problem?
Is it fixable at home? (I have an adequate toolkit)
Thanks for any advice...
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: MVacs on February 03, 2018, 05:28:12 pm
Does it select auto itself when the machine is reclined?
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: duncan_a on February 03, 2018, 06:34:48 pm
It moves about half way down towards the Auto 'spot', so whatever mechanical link exists appears not to be broken.
To be honest, I have no idea how far it moved originally - it worked superbly, so I never thought about it...
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: Parwaz7862 on February 03, 2018, 06:39:34 pm
The know should be on the "on" position when the head is kicked down, if it only goes halfway then the clutch isn't engaging properly to the on position
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: duncan_a on February 03, 2018, 06:50:46 pm
I don't have an 'ON' position - I have 'N' (no brush rotation), 'P' and 'D' with 'Auto' between 'P' and 'D'.
With the know set to 'P', it goes part way towards 'D' when I lean the machine into the use state, stopping about half way down the 'Auto' legend.
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: ryevac on February 03, 2018, 06:55:58 pm
I would remove clutch, strip it, service and rebuild with new belts too.

after rebuilding hold the body in one hand and operate the lever with the other hand, it should clunk into place and back by hand command.
There shouldn't be any play in the operation if i remember right.
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: Parwaz7862 on February 03, 2018, 06:59:04 pm
I don't have an 'ON' position - I have 'N' (no brush rotation), 'P' and 'D' with 'Auto' between 'P' and 'D'.
With the know set to 'P', it goes part way towards 'D' when I lean the machine into the use state, stopping about half way down the 'Auto' legend.

"D" is the on position
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: duncan_a on February 03, 2018, 07:05:53 pm
OK, thanks. I hadn't realised that the clutch was actually a serviceable item. Do I have to beware of anything flying out?
Belts are cheap, so that's good news.
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: ryevac on February 03, 2018, 07:13:43 pm
the external circlip can be a little awkward on the cap end.
Sam beko 1987 did a good video tutorial on this, they are quite easy to do, just dont lose any of the 3 ball bearings.

when removing the old clutch, just cut the old belts off with mr stanley first.
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: duncan_a on February 03, 2018, 07:44:07 pm
Thanks so much for the responses...

If only all forums were this good, the world would be a much better, and happier, place!!!
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: ryevac on February 03, 2018, 07:53:37 pm
 :thumbsup:
Let us know how you get on.
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: duncan_a on February 03, 2018, 09:16:26 pm
I'll get the belts ordered and get down to it as soon as I've got my house move over with (and recovered from the experience!)
Once again, thanks...
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: Madrat on February 03, 2018, 10:04:50 pm
Order a white wheel as well
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: duncan_a on February 03, 2018, 10:45:28 pm
OK, will do - thanks...
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: Parwaz7862 on February 03, 2018, 11:40:28 pm
Well you have a good brand of vacuum, a good vacuum and a good forum filled with Dyson experts ;)

Let us know if you need any more help!
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: MVacs on February 04, 2018, 01:46:43 pm
I'll get the belts ordered and get down to it as soon as I've got my house move over with (and recovered from the experience!)
Once again, thanks...

Videos and full instructions >>here<< (https://manchestervacs.co.uk/DysonForum/index.php/topic,748.msg2556.html#msg2556) Duncan.
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: Dysonboy on February 04, 2018, 10:31:35 pm
Want to add. The older "N.P.D" Clutch markings instead of the later "OFF and ON" markings, For some reason the markings are not quite aligned with how the clutch operates so it only goes to half through AUTO intead of making it all the way to D.

Quote
It moves about half way down towards the Auto 'spot', so whatever mechanical link exists appears not to be broken.
To be honest, I have no idea how far it moved originally - it worked superbly, so I never thought about it...
Thats normal on the older N.P.D markings as you have described. The clutches only go half in AUTO.

Quote
The know should be on the "on" position when the head is kicked down, if it only goes halfway then the clutch isn't engaging properly to the on position
On the later DC04s, and all DC07s onwards etc. marked with ON and OFF then yes it should go fully round to ON, If its the older N P D markings then the clutch only goes round to half way through AUTO and not to D. This is because the markings on the cleaner head are slightly off for some reason.

I had the same problem with my DC04 Absolute when I had it. Took me a while with a spare ON and OFF marked cleaner head to understand that NPD heads are slightly off marked. The AUTO is slightly larger..
Hope I helped!
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: duncan_a on February 04, 2018, 11:18:25 pm
Dysonboy's reply was interesting...

This might mean that, as the brushes aren't really doing their job (but there's no 'clatter' from the clutch), I may be suffering from belt-slip, rather than a clutch problem.

As I appear to need to partly dismantle the clutch to change one of the belts, I might just as well give it a service and replace the 'white roller' while I'm in thete.

Thanks
Title: Re: Have I got a clutch problem???
Post by: Dysonboy on February 04, 2018, 11:25:02 pm
Dysonboy's reply was interesting...

This might mean that, as the brushes aren't really doing their job (but there's no 'clatter' from the clutch), I may be suffering from belt-slip, rather than a clutch problem.

As I appear to need to partly dismantle the clutch to change one of the belts, I might just as well give it a service and replace the 'white roller' while I'm in thete.

Thanks
Id deffo say belts are slipping. The white wheel is also a good idea to replace as you said.