My riccar will not work

Riccar uses an external thermal reset which is more reliable than most brands which use a thermal reset built into the motor. On your Riccar it will be on the back on the bottom left. It is a little tiny button that you will hear "click" when you push on it if it has been popped. If not it will not push in and you won't hear the click. The older models did not all have a reset button. If you have to keep pushing the reset it means that most likely you have a clog somewhere or the bag is full. It's rare but occasionally a thermal reset button may go bad and need replaced.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Riccar+Gem+R-4+thermal+fuse

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Riccar uses an external thermal reset which is more reliable than most brands which use a thermal reset built into the motor. On your Riccar it will be on the back on the bottom left. It is a little tiny button that you epwill hear "click" when you push on it if it has been popped. If not it will not push in and you won't hear the click. The older models did not all have a reset button. If you have to keep pushing the reset it means that most likely you have a clog somewhere or the bag is full. It's rare but occasionally a thermal reset button may go bad and need replaced.

Reset button is at bottom on the rear of vacuum.

sometimes that can happen if the pores in the bag are clogged, as might happen if you have been vacuuming very fine dust like wallboard dust. this means that the bag might be functionally full, even though it still appears un-full. also, check the hose for a clog, because that can also give a false indication light.

In my experience the Riccar requires reset when it has ingested something that jams the roller such as the fringe of an Oriental carpet. Be sure to clear any such obstruction, then I use a ball point pen to press the button. It does not move very far to accomplish a reset.

If it's been over a year since you've replaced the belt that is the first place to start. Stretch belts lose elasticity and will still turn the brush roll but when the brush roll is lowered to the carpet it may not turn fast enough to pick up properly. If you have good suction at the end of the hose check to make sure there is not an obstruction in the tube where the hose goes into the bottom of the vacuum to the brush roll. Make sure your filters are replaced at least once per year and the bag is not full or has a lot of fine powder dust in it which can clog the bag.

The reset button is internal. If it overheats it will shut off but will come back on when it cools down. This usually means you have a clog somewhere or a clogged bag or filter. If that doesn't take care of it have it checked by your Riccar dealer.

Hi There,

This sounds like the Thermal Switch in your motor tripped. All Riccar vacuum cleaners have a motor reset switch, that will shut the motor down when it gets hot. Usually it's caused by a full bag, clog, or dirty filter.

Try resetting the thermal switch first. If this doesn't work, you may have done some more serious damage to the motor, and it might be a good idea to take it into a local Riccar dealer in your area.

Here's a step by step guide on how to check the reset switch on your Riccar 8850:

To reset the thermal fuse:

1. Unplug the vacuum cleaner
2. Check for problem – over–filled bag, clog in hose, clogged filters, etc.

Remove the vacuum bag, and see if you can visibly see any obstructions, or replace the bag if it's full:



Also inspect the Secondary filter while you have the vacuum bag removed from the machine. If the filter is clogged or dirty, rinse under warm water, and air dry completely before reinstalling it into the vacuum. It's best to wash this filter every 30 days, and replace after 4-5 washings.

Here's a link to the secondary filter on our website if you ever need to purchase one:
Riccar 8800 Series Secondary Filter



Your Riccar 8850 also has a set of exhaust filters that are on the front of the vacuum, near the bottom where the upright body meets the agitator housing. These filters when clogged may also cause the thermal switch to trip. These filters are recommended to be replaced every 6-12 months, and are not recommended to be washed.

Here's a link to 2 sets of the exhaust filters for the Riccar 8850 on our website:
Riccar 8850 Exhaust Final Filters, 2 Sets, 4 Total Filters



It's also possible that you may have clog in the suction port inside of the agitator housing. Remove the bottom plate from the vacuum, and look for the tube that runs on the left hand side from the tray to the rear of the agitator housing. Make sure that this tube is clear from obstructions:



Locate "tripped" fuse – the small white button located on the bottom of the back side of
the main body (roughly one inch to the right of the left wheel)


Using a pencil, paper clip or other pointed object, push the reset button in, you should hear a clicking noise when it resets.

Plug the vacuum cleaner back into the wall, and try turning the vacuum on. It should come right back on. If not, it's best to take your machine into a local Riccar authorized repair facility for further more advanced diagnosing.

Please feel free to ask any follow up questions by adding a comment to this repair, I'm always more then happy to answer any and all follow up questions if you need some clarification. If this was helpful, please rate the repair helpful or leave some feedback for me. Thanks so much,

Chris Jones
Govacuum.com

Greetings from GoVacuum,

The reset buttons on the Riccar vacuum cleaners are located at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner in the back, underneath of where the wand sits on the vacuum cleaner.

Here's a picture of a Riccar 8925 which replaced your 8850 a few years ago, but the reset switch will be in the same exact location on all Riccar uprights;




Here's a closer look of the reset switch;


I hope that I was able to answer your question. You can avoid the reset switch flipping in the first place by always ensuring that you change the bags frequently and when full, as well as the motor filter that sits underneath of the bag. Also keeping the vacuum from clogging will prevent this.

If you found this repair solution helpful to you, may you please click the 4 Thumbs Up Icons in the top right hand corner to help me out here on Fixya? I really do appreciate it, thank you so much.

Chris
GoVacuum

the motor probably overheated. take it to a vacuum cleaner dealer and see if they can fix it.