Hello, betorI was trying to help you out here. Maybe this will help some? I was going backto some customers that asked questions in the recent past and even fartherback. It appeared that no one answeredsome of them, So, I thought I would take some of my personal time to see if Ican help. Even though this Informational site may not have your exact model orbrand, this site will help you a lot. Here is a site link about everything you want to know about blenders andpossibly yours, from repairto trouble shooting it. http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-repair-small-appliances5.htmPlease if this helped you at all, if you can find the time and in your heart torate my help and some kind words written would be appreciated for my free help, I would appreciate it. Here is also my direct link to my own pages of other areas of my expertise forother problems you might have in Automotive, Appliance, and Electronics. DropIn anytime for my help.Thanks, Mikehttp://beta.fixya.com/users/mc1bean
Hello.
There is a bearing that sometimes slips, causing the main shaft the "black thing" connect to, to drop, making the base of the black thing touch the housing of the motor base.
This is caused when placing the container on the blender base, and the downward pressure on the shaft sometimes cause it to slip.
A quick possible fix for this is to try and lift the shaft up without damaging the thread the black adapter connects to. lift the shaft with a pair of pliers approx 3-4mm, while lifting the shaft look to the base of shaft to see if you can see a bearing of clip moving with the shaft. (move the shaft up and down to see if anything attached to it is moving up and down) This needs to be pushed down while the shaft is pulled up. it can be done with a flat screwdriver or another pair of needle nose pliers. Be careful not to pull the shaft up to high or the container will not sit on the blender correctly.
You can lubricate the bearing also at the base of the shaft with a few drops of sewing machine oil.
Also if this bearing has worn too much moisture can get into the electrical motor itself, causing corrosion in the windings and bearings, eventually leading to a complete failure. Unfortunately this can not be reversed and would need to a replaced. The sign of white smoke is a sign of this, but is also caused by the plastic rubbing. It could be either.
I hope this helps you in time for Easter!
Happy Holidays
Regards
GM
You can typically find replacement carbon brushes for Vitamix blenders at appliance repair shops, online retailers, or directly from Vitamix. Ensure you get the correct model-specific brushes for the VM0145 blender with a 3Hp motor. Double-check the compatibility before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
Check the black driving clutch on the top of the motor that engages with the other clutch half on the base of the blender jug. The fault should be there, normally it will be the motor part.
What has worked very well for me in the past in similar situations (not with kitchen appliances but any older item needing a part) is find people selling the item or parts for the item on eBay, and then messaging them asking if they have a source for whatever it is I am looking for.
Almost always this leads to what I need, whether it is for a camera or an old watch or a vintage computer or whatever.
Messaging through eBay is easy, fast, and free.
Simply type Vitamix 4000 in the Search box, and get the listings displayed, and then click on Contact Seller.
eBay will send the message, and notify you when there is a reply.
Some models had a weakness with the variable resistance in the rotary switch but your description sounds more like the main PCB or even the motor both of which are very expensive parts to replace.
You will need to source them from a bearing supply company as Vitamix only supply the bearings as a complete unit with the blade assembled. Once you have the bearings out take the sample with you to the bearing supply company for correct identification.
Put your meter across the 2 disconnected potentiometer wires and turn the knob and see if you get the sort of variation you expect to see. The pots do give a little bit of trouble and aren't worth very much, I'd be inclined to throw one in anyway, the very last thing you want it to be is the PCB, they are not cheap.
The wrench hole is hidden firstly by the large rubber part that holds the beaker and secondly by a blob of clear silicone that covers the hole for your allen key