I can't recoil the electrical cord. What do I need to do?

It's very difficult to repair a cord wheel that's not working properly. There is a tightly wound spring that can cause harm if it comes uncoiled. It's best to try to find a replacement cord reel.

either over stretched the recoil spring or the frayed rough cut end is jamming the guide hole

generally you need to replace the spring mechanism. contact the manufacture for parts/cost. Most local shops don't carry parts to repair vacuums, unless it's a new model, most vacuums are designed to work until they don't then you replace. unless you spend more than 400-500 bucks on it that is.

The rewind tension spring may be broken or fully extended. Try to yank hard on the cord and pull toward you with some force. Pull until the line will no longer come out and if it won\'t recoil then it needs to be repaired.

On pressing the cord has to coil into the holder and if this wont happen there is some mechanical fault in the recoiler or spring.
You can pull the power cord once again outside and let it slide inside, repeat this sequence to allow the winder to respond and then it might pick up.

you have streched the return spring it needs taking apart and recoiling the wire around

You don't have to open the cannister. You can easily remove the black plastic collar through which the cord is supposed to emerge. The collar has a little springy tab that holds it in place. Once the collar is removed, you can reach in and grab the cord and pull it out.

Steve

In order to get to the cord that is disconnected you need to remove the screws that hold on the frame(the red shell). You will need to remove the "fenders" that are near the wheels. In order to remove the fenders get a flat tip screwdriver and pry up on the front part of the fender, there are three clips holding the left one on and two holding the fender near the cord. You will need to remove the left wheel (the wheel farthest from the cord). After you remove all the exterior screws and the four screws under the brissels the shell should be able to be removed. Next you will need to pull the cord all the way out and there will be a clear clip, use a flat tip screwdriver and release the clip in order to remove the clear piece that holds the power cord electrical ends. Reattach the clips of the power cord and be sure when you put the clear piece back in that the two contacts are not bending. You will need to use a screwdriver to guide the electrical clips back into place. I didn't count the screws there is a lot of them. I hope this helps you

Well, there were two problems, the first being that the cord got jammed and I did not know how to get inside to clear it up. Finally we got under a dark gray cover which exposed screws which I was able to open everything up and fix it.

Then the motor for the brush stopped working. We kept playing with it and it intermitantly operated. Obviously a connection that opened up from time to time. I may need to get another vacuum. I cleaned all the obvious connections.

Depending on which model you have, take the bag door or lid off by pushing it back and it will unhook and come off, there are 4 screws that hold the cover on over the where the cord rewind button is, take that cover off and you can get to the cord reel.