Fein Turbo II vac won’t start

[ryanjg117]

I bought a non-working Fein Turbo II vacuum off the good ‘ole Craigslist for $40. Figured it would be a nice dedicated miter saw vac if I could get it working. The seller said it simply cut out one day, with neither switches (power or tool) responding. He didn’t fuss with trying to get inside it and just bought a new Festool, of course.

I’m hoping it’s not a motor issue (wouldn’t it be a slow degradation rather than instant failure in that case)? I’m not a pro fixer but I’ve got a multi-tool and have been inside a Fein vac before, I think to do a motor swap out if I recall. I know the motors aren’t cheap which is why I’m hoping it’s a bad electrical cord or switch issue.

What would be your plan if attack here?

 

[Klemm]

Ryan,
I would get out of the used tool repair business and get back to what I do best.
Meant as friendly advice (not to sound critical).

Hans

 

[Cheese]

I’d first check for power to the circuit board (I assume there is one), then power to the switches and then power to the motor. 

After that it’s pretty straight forward through the process of elimination.

I have a Turbo II that’s been used daily for the last 15-18 years...they’re pretty resilient.  [big grin]  Good luck, hope it’s not the motor and maybe just a damaged cord or bad connection.

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

The Turbo II name has been used over several generations of product. If it's the 9-20-25 model then through my searches, the motors are no longer available worldwide. I have that model and it's been stellar for 6-7 years. I hope it stays that way for a long time. Really great vacs. I look for used ones but they are hard to find.

I totally understand Hans' take, time can be precious and making things can be more rewarding than repairing.

Thankfully I have an electronics wizard for a father. Anything that stops working I see if he can fix it, and every time he completely repairs it to original function. It keeps him occupied in retirement.

 

[Oldwood]

I think there is a float in those that switches off the power when it raises to a determined level. Could be stuck?

Gerry

 

[ryanjg117]

EVERY once in awhile, you luck out. The vac wouldn’t turn on, but once I attached a tool to it and turned on the tool, she fired right up. And since I have no intention of using this as a standalone vac, it works perfectly for me.

Hans, I have no intention of entering into the tool repair business, but every once in awhile a roll of the dice pays off!!!

 

[Klemm]

Ryan, as a new Home owner you deserve a break. Enjoy that quiet running FEIN dust-collector!

Hans

 

[leakyroof]

Their later vacs are known for having switch issues.  Usually a new switch cures many ills with the later 'square' vacs from what I've read.

 

[leakyroof]

EVERY once in awhile, you luck out. The vac wouldn’t turn on, but once I attached a tool to it and turned on the tool, she fired right up. And since I have no intention of using this as a standalone vac, it works perfectly for me.

Hans, I have no intention of entering into the tool repair business, but every once in awhile a roll of the dice pays off!!!

  You're lucky, I've read that it's generally the opposite in terms of failure for these Vacs, the Auto Start with a Tool is more prone to failing, and the 'On' switch side tends to work just fine once the switch or electrics start dying..  Congrats... [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

 

[Koamolly]

Did you check the carbon brushes?

 

[Cheese]

The old vac is already up and running and [member=51886]ryanjg117[/member] is a happy camper.