Electric Drill: No Reverse
If your electric drill has no reverse, check the switch and actuator. Read on for repair advice and tips for how to fix your tool on your own. It might actually be a simple fix, and we can walk you through the process. Refer to your owner's manual for detailed instructions for your model.
Switches
The switch controls the electrical current to the motor and, on some models, the speed and direction. If the switch starts to function randomly when you push it, has no reverse, smoke from the switch or the speed control on the switch is not always working/only on certain speeds, then replace the switch as these are indicators the switch is failing. To replace a switch, open the two halves of the drill case. Remove any hold down screws on the switch. Disconnect the electrical connectors. Remove the old switch and install the new one. Attach the electrical connectors to the appropriate connections. Install the hold down screws and reassemble the case. ... Read more
Actuators
On models with the separate forward/reverse switch, if you have no reverse, then you will need to replace this switch. Open the drill case and locate the forward/reverse switch, which is usually part of the power switch/trigger. If the plastic switch is broken, you can just replace it by lifting up the power switch and pulling the forward/reverse switch out of the power switch. Then, insert the new switch on the tab on the power switch. Push the power switch back down, into the case, and reinstall the two halves of the case. ... Read more