Central vac running on its own

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Jul 27th, 2021 1:38 pm

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Jul 26th, 2021 1:57 pm

timofeewho [OP]: Member; Nov 13, 2019; 327 posts; 108 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 26th, 2021 1:57 pm

Central vac running on its own

Hello, I have a 5yo Electrolux central vacuum that I used yesterday afternoon without any issues. Later last night I noticed it turning on and off on its on (turns on for a second or 2 before starting up again in 30 secs or so). I then unplugged the unit and checked all 3 inlet switches and didn't notice anything peculiar. I proceeded to plug the unit back in and now it just runs on its own without anything plugged into the inlets and doesn't stop, so I unplugged it again and here I am

What can I do to diagnose further or attempt to fix this? What might the problem be?

Thanks

Edit: unplugged the main unit and pressed down the switch a few times to ensure it was off, came back the next morning and it was magically fixed, thanks guys

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Last edited by timofeewho on Aug 10th, 2021 2:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

8 replies

Jul 26th, 2021 2:31 pm

GoodFellaz: Penalty Box; Jun 24, 2015; 8254 posts; 2782 upvotes; 0 downvotes

Jul 26th, 2021 2:31 pm

its likely the relay which is fused/defective. if your a handy man you can change it yourself, otherwise you might want to call a handyman to do it for you

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Jul 26th, 2021 2:40 pm

chimaican: Deal Expert; Oct 23, 2008; 18189 posts; 16391 upvotes; GTA, ON

Jul 26th, 2021 2:40 pm

Have you checked the manual on/off switch on the side of the unit?

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+1

Jul 26th, 2021 2:58 pm

timofeewho [OP]: Member; Nov 13, 2019; 327 posts; 108 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 26th, 2021 2:58 pm

GoodFellaz wrote: ↑its likely the relay which is fused/defective. if your a handy man you can change it yourself, otherwise you might want to call a handyman to do it for you

Oh darn..

chimaican wrote: ↑ Have you checked the manual on/off switch on the side of the unit?

Didn't know of such a switch, will double check, but I didn't go anywhere near the unit

Jul 26th, 2021 4:45 pm

cba123: Deal Addict; Jun 8, 2004; 2355 posts; 1517 upvotes; Oakville

Jul 26th, 2021 4:45 pm

+1 check that the manual on/off switch is in the off position on the unit, first.

If that didn't shut off the vacuum, then try and disconnect the low voltage wire that connect the central vac outlets to the unit. You only need to disconnect the wiring from one of the two wire connectors on the central vac unit to "break" the circuit. If the vac shuts off after removing one of the two wires, then that means you will have a short in the low voltage wiring somewhere. If the vac is still running, then the internal relay in the vac is likely fused "on".

The manual on/off switch, circuit breaker and wire connectors are all probably together on the top left side of the unit.

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+5

Jul 26th, 2021 5:13 pm

timofeewho [OP]: Member; Nov 13, 2019; 327 posts; 108 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 26th, 2021 5:13 pm

cba123 wrote: ↑ +1 check that the manual on/off switch is in the off position on the unit, first.

If that didn't shut off the vacuum, then try and disconnect the low voltage wire that connect the central vac outlets to the unit. You only need to disconnect the wiring from one of the two wire connectors on the central vac unit to "break" the circuit. If the vac shuts off after removing one of the two wires, then that means you will have a short in the low voltage wiring somewhere. If the vac is still running, then the internal relay in the vac is likely fused "on".

The manual on/off switch, circuit breaker and wire connectors are all probably together on the top left side of the unit.

Awesome thanks

Will check when I get back

Jul 26th, 2021 5:17 pm

insertname2020: Deal Addict; Oct 19, 2020; 1047 posts; 674 upvotes; GTA

Jul 26th, 2021 5:17 pm

Until you resolve this problem, unplug the unit from the wall, as having the motor run with inlets closed can't be good for it.

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+1

Jul 27th, 2021 1:28 pm

timofeewho [OP]: Member; Nov 13, 2019; 327 posts; 108 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 27th, 2021 1:28 pm

@cba123 hello! Turns out it might've been the switch after all

The switch wasn't what I expected though, it was this tactile button (thought it'd be a mechanical on/off flip thing). The weird thing is that I didn't go anywhere near the unit before it started acting funny, what gives?

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Jul 27th, 2021 1:38 pm

GoodFellaz: Penalty Box; Jun 24, 2015; 8254 posts; 2782 upvotes; 0 downvotes

Jul 27th, 2021 1:38 pm

could be aging, moisture, humidity, dust, wear and tear, heat, etc.

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