How do I fix the retractable cord on a Dyson DC19 vaccum cleaner

SOURCE: Electrolux Lux 7000 retractable power cord

The trim pieces along the sides just pull off seperating the two housings. The back portion where the retract drum is is held by two plastic tangs on top inside. use a screwdriver to pry the ring down to dislodge the tangs. the bottom part will lift off. remove the front part using two screws just below the hinge. the retract has a long coil spring wound around a free spinning hub. there are two "tangs" inside that engage a ratchet-pawl assembly. you'll need to rotate the drum to rewind the spring onto its hub.

SOURCE: Old vaccum retractable cord

This may come too late for you looking at the date of your posting. I have the same model and it stumped me for a bit too but I did get it open. It's real easy once you know how. Open up the front and remove the bag, then look at the side (beige) bumper strip that runs from front to back. This is splined. You can see it by looking carefully at the front. The brown case is held together by the splined rubber strip. Simply use a pair of slip joint pliers or a vice grip. Grab it and pull to the front. It took a bit to get it moving but then it slid right out. I found it easiest to place the vacuum on the floor, hold it with my feet and with the front open and the bag out I just grabbed the side strip with my pliers and pulled hard and it slid right out.

Good Luck.

SOURCE: electrolux model 1401

try a local vacumn repair center or web site

SOURCE: miele s558 Silver Moon

It is not generally necessary to replace the entire cord reel, although occasionally it is.

Here's the quick and easy DIY way to make your cord reel work again: you will need a #2 phillips head screwdriver, any flat head screwdriver, a pair of scissors, and a zip-tie.

First, remove the bag compartment lid by gently prying the hinge parts inward with the flathead screwdriver until you can lift it free. Remove bag and exhaust filter, and then remove the two screws holding the rear control panel on. Lift the front of the control panel upward until you hear a horrible unpleasant crunching noise. You didn't break it.

Lift that free, and remove all screws from the top of the main housing. (I believe there are 6 or so... but I can't remember off the top of my head.) The housing should then lift free.

You should now be able to see your cord reel. see if it wiggles back and forth along the central axle. If it does, you'll want to place the zip tie around the side of the axle which is away from the large round copper contacts which look almost like leaf springs. This will ensure that the contacts make electrical contact again. Cut off the excess zip-tie.

When putting the parts all back together, it is essentially a reverse of the disassembly, but be sure that you thread the cord through the hole in the back of the housing before you attempt to screw the housing down, or you will be very sad; both because you'll have to disassemble it again, and because you'll probably jack up your cord and have to replace the reel, which is what we're trying to avoid.

Test machine. If it works: party. If not, you will have to replace the cord reel.

For further clarification on the process, contact me.

Good luck,

-R

SOURCE: I have a Kenmore Vacuum

The retraction mechanizm is likely jammed. Mostly likely the cord has jumped it's groove in the retraction wheel/hub. If you are good with tools there is a 70% chance you can get it to work again with a basic DCR operation. Most mechanical problems can be solved using this simple rule: Dissassemble Clean and Reassemble.

CAUTION: The retract mech has a powerful spring inside, avoid exposing. Most retract mech units are rivoted closed so consumers won't poke thier eye out.
CAUTION: UNPLUG THE UNIT

Open the unit from the bottom and the top lid of the canister should come off.
The retract mech should be obvious as it is where the cord comes into the unit.
Look for the cord being bound by iteslf either on top or underneath (lie two cordes in one groove)
Remove any binding.
If you see no debris or obsticals for the cord to retract (where it is getting stuck)
Your spring could have sprung!
Do you feel and retract at all?
Can you locate the releae mechagnism?
Does the Release button seem to function? When Pressed it should take pressure off of the cord hub.
The retract mech may need replaced. Overall the cost will be about $60 for parts.