Coleman carpet shampoo — no liquid, solenoid stem stuck

[rshiggaon]

Hello, my JC carpet shampoo isn’t putting out any liquid—just air at the brush. After triaging, I found the tank has the product, the pump is moving product, but nothing at the solenoid outlet. I pulled the coil, but the stem’s stuck and I can’t get it out (pics attached).

Do I need a special tool, or is there a trick to removing that stem?

Thanks!

 

[Blanco]

It's been a while and I may be wrong but I do believe that solenoid uses a spanner nut tool to remove. I can check tomorrow on some vacs I have out back. If you remove that washer and there are two small holes behind it across from each other then that is what you need to remove.

But first did you check power to the coil? If you dont know how to use a multimeter then check and see if you can hear the solenoid clicking as you push the button on the shampoo brush handle while its running? You can always put a screwdriver or something metal to the solenoid coil and as you click the button you should hear it and also feel it magnetize that screwdriver.

Were you testing the outlet of the solenoid without pushing the button on the handle?

 

[Greg Pack]

Hmm, that must be a newer unit. All mine are 20 years old

Take off that "washer" on the plunger stem and you will see two indentations design to accommodate a spanner wrench. You can take a small punch and hammer and tap in a counterclockwise direction to loosen.

Before you do all that: this will fix 87% of "no liquid" problems on a Coleman vac

1)Push the button on the handle- do you hear a "click"? That button can go bad. No click- jump off button and see if shampoo comes out.

2)Take off the tiny shampoo line off and push the button while the unit is running. Clean with a welding tip cleaner or even a paper clip. Liquid should shoot out strong enough to hit you in the chest.

Before you refill the shampoo, be sure and wipe off the top and be vigilant that you don't contaminate the shampoo product with even small amount of dirt.

 

[rshiggaon]

It's been a while and I may be wrong but I do believe that solenoid uses a spanner nut tool to remove. I can check tomorrow on some vacs I have out back. If you remove that washer and there are two small holes behind it across from each other then that is what you need to remove.

But first did you check power to the coil? If you dont know how to use a multimeter then check and see if you can hear the solenoid clicking as you push the button on the shampoo brush handle while its running? You can always put a screwdriver or something metal to the solenoid coil and as you click the button you should hear it and also feel it magnetize that screwdriver.

Were you testing the outlet of the solenoid without pushing the button on the handle?

Yes, tested the coil it was magnetizing.

Also I tested the outlet along with the button pressed.

 

[Blanco]

Yes, tested the coil it was magnetizing.

Also I tested the outlet along with the button pressed.

Check that outlet barb like Greg said. Could be plugged up

 

[rshiggaon]

Hmm, that must be a newer unit. All mine are 20 years old

Take off that "washer" on the plunger stem and you will see two indentations design to accommodate a spanner wrench. You can take a small punch and hammer and tap in a counterclockwise direction to loosen.

Before you do all that: this will fix 87% of "no liquid" problems on a Coleman vac

1)Push the button on the handle- do you hear a "click"? That button can go bad. No click- jump off button and see if shampoo comes out.

2)Take off the tiny shampoo line off and push the button while the unit is running. Clean with a welding tip cleaner or even a paper clip. Liquid should shoot out strong enough to hit you in the chest.

Before you refill the shampoo, be sure and wipe off the top and be vigilant that you don't contaminate the shampoo product with even small amount of dirt.

I do hear the click sound. I will check your point #2 and update here. Thank you for the hints on how to remove the stem.

 

[slash007]

KR sells the tool that opens those easily. I've had two shampoo solenoids stuck open this year after not having any for several years. One I cleaned, the other I had to replace.

 

[rshiggaon]

quick update! After a little tinkering, I got it working. I do hear a click when I press the button. I was mistaken earlier about the solenoid output (I probably didn’t push it before); nothing is coming out. This time, when I followed the above instructions, the liquid started flowing. So maybe it was stuck closed.

However, the liquid doesn’t stop when I release the button. I’m thinking the stem needs a good cleaning or possibly replacement. I’ve left it running for now until I get the tool. Is this the tool: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-9125-g-c-valves-106198e-spanner-nut-tool.aspx?

Never a dull moment at the car wash—thanks to this group for all pointers!

 

[slash007]

quick update! After a little tinkering, I got it working. I do hear a click when I press the button. I was mistaken earlier about the solenoid output (I probably didn’t push it before); nothing is coming out. This time, when I followed the above instructions, the liquid started flowing. So maybe it was stuck closed.

However, the liquid doesn’t stop when I release the button. I’m thinking the stem needs a good cleaning or possibly replacement. I’ve left it running for now until I get the tool. Is this the tool: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-9125-g-c-valves-106198e-spanner-nut-tool.aspx?

Never a dull moment at the car wash—thanks to this group for all pointers!

That is the tool. Your solenoid is stuck open. Hopefully you can just clean it. If not stuck, the little rubber at the end of the stem might be worn out.