Stopped running. Filter was clogged. Cleaned filter and changed bag, but still won't start. Motor was warm when it stopped.

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.

Try moving the filter a little while it is running. This is a common problem caused by the air bypassing the filter. The more clogged the filter is the more it will whistle but sometimes it will whistle with a new filter. Sometimes you may get it stopped for a while but then it will start up again or come and go.

Your Sensor most likely has an internal heat sensor that is shutting off the motor. Some vacuums install an external heat sensor with a reset button that you must push to re-start the vacuum. If your model does not have an external reset button it is most likely a sensor inside the motor. If it is defective the motor must be replaced to solve the problem. But first make sure the overheating is not being caused by a blockage somewhere or the bag is too full. Air must pass completely through a vacuum starting at the floor where it picks up the dirt through all the canisters, filters, bags, etc. and then is exhausted from the vacuum. Any restrictions or blockage can cause the motor to over heat.
That Vac Guy

see this causes and fix it. God bless you
Air filter:
If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up dirt and has no suction the air filter might be clogged. Remove the filter and either clean or replace it as needed.
Exhaust Filter If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and has no suction the exhaust filter might be clogged. Remove and clean the filter, replace it if its torn or damaged.


Vacuum Hose If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and has no suction the vacuum hose might be clogged. Remove the hose from the vacuum cleaner, stretch it out straight, shine a bright flashlight in one end and try to see light through it. If no light can be seen, use something to run through the hose and free up the obstruction.
Vacuum Bag If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and has no suction the vacuum bag might be full. Clean or replace the bag as recommended by the manufacturer.

Dust Cup AssemblyIf the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and has no suction the dust cup assembly might not be installed tightly, or it might be cracked or broken. The dust cup must seal tightly in order to produce the right amount of suction. If it is cracked or broken, replace it. Most glues and adhesives will not successfully seal the crack.
Blower Wheel If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and there is no suction, the blower wheel might be jammed or broken. Check the blower wheel to be certain it turns freely. If it doesn't, check to see if there is anything rubbing against it. If not, but it's hard to turn, the motor is most likely the problem.

It's possible the thermal reset is defective. It shuts the motor off if it gets hot. Remove the bag door and take the bag off, remove both filters and then turn the vacuum on, just leave it sit there with the motor running. This eliminates the bag or filters causing any airflow resistance. If it still shuts off after a few minutes it's likely the thermal reset is bad. Some vacuums have an external thermal reset button which can be replaced if necessary but on your model it is built into the motor and you must replace the motor. If the motor runs fine put the bag and the filter under the bag back in - (make sure the filter is clean and not restricting airflow) put the bag cover on then turn it on again. If it overheats and shuts off then you may have a clog on there somewhere restricting the airflow. If so check the power nozzle area, the hose coming from the power nozzle, the extension hose and wands for clogs or restrictions.

Greetings,

The bag full indicator on most vacuum cleaners is not completley fool proof. Most vacuums will just register a loss of suction, and they will then illuminate the bag full indicator, whether or not the bag is full.

If you've changed the bag, and the machine is still indicating a full bag, then this could mean one of two things.

1. Dirty Filter. According to the part diagram for your vacuum, there is a filter underneath of the vacuum cleaner bag (Bissell Part Number
203-1013) that is there to protect anything from getting into the motor. Since the filter is located before the motor, most refer to this as a pre-motor filter. Sometimes if this filter is really dirty, it can cause the vacuum to loose suction, which will also cause the bag full indicator to incorrectly display. Simply clean this filter by running it under warm water, then allow it to completely dry before replacing it in the vacuum. While the filter is out of the vacuum you can turn it back on and test to see if the light is off now that the filter is out. If the light goes off, then you have found the problem! If the bag full indicator is still on, please see the next possible problem.

2. Clog In the Vacuum. If the vacuum was run with a full bag, and when you removed the bag, the bag was completely jammed full, then your vacuum cleaner may be clogged somewhere. When the bag is packed full of dirt, the vacuum continues to try and put more and more dirt in the bag, even if it's full. Sometimes the dirt will even start accumulating inside the hose as it has no other place to go. The first place you should check is the hole that you connect the bag to. Remove the new bag that you installed and examine the hole that the bag connects to inside the vacuum. Can you see anything stuck here? If yes, do your best to try and dislodge it. If you're not able to visibly see anything here, your clog may be inside the hose, or even in the base of the vacuum.

If you have another vacuum cleaner this will really help you in clearing the clog. With the other vacuum, take the suction hose of the good vacuum, and connect it to the hose on your Bissell (still while the bag is removed, and the bag housing door is open). When you connect the hose of the other vacuum, can you hear a difference in the motor? Does the motor start running at a higher pitch when it's connected to your Bissell? If yes, then you've narrowed it down to a clog in your hose. If you can feel suction from the other vacuum through the hole that the bag connects onto, and the good vacuum's motor doesn't change noise when connected to the Bissell, then your clog is in the bottom section of the vacuum. You can sometimes stretch out the hose of the Bissell while the other vacuum is attached, and this will dislodge the clog.

If you don't have another vacuum, simply remove the hose from the Bissell completely. I believe that there maybe 2 screws that hold this hose onto the back of your Bissell, simply remove these two screws, and remove the hose. An easy way you can clear clogs is to take the hose outside, and use a water hose that has a pressurized nozzle on it, and spray down the hose while holding the hose of your Bissell vertically to allow gravity to work its magic. You can also stretch out the hose of the Bissell to get maximum benefit of gravity and the water.

If the clog is in the lower part of the vacuum, it is usually right at the suction port behind the roller brush. This is the most narrow part of the vacuums suction intake in the lower part of the vacuum, and is prone to clogs. Simply remove the four screws on the bottom of your Bissell to remove the bottom plate. Look behind the roller brush to where the suction port is to see if you can see any clogged debris.

If this doesn't help clear your clog, or fix the bag full indicator, I'd really like to try and diagnosis this further with you. Please just use the Clarification Request or add a comment and explain what happend after trying these things I mentioned above. I'll be more then happy to try and assist your further. I really hope that this was helpful to you. If you found this helpful, please be kind and rate my repair by clicking the thumbs up icon in the review.

Thank you very much,

Chris J.

The motor may have a sticking brush or a dead commutator segment. Turn off power to the unit to check for sticking brushes. Reapply power, does it now run? If not, shut it off, physically turn the motor a few degrees, and reapply power. If it still doesn't run, look for loose wiring around the motor. If it does run, replace the motor armature or the entire motor if the armature is not available as a separate part.

this filter is a white dounut shaped one that is directly above the bag. this filter should be cleaned every time the bag is changed. there also may be a clog somewhere but unlikely.

is there a filter in it if so clean the filter.try it without the bag in it.make sure the bag is in correctly.does the bag expand when you turn it on.you might have something caught up in the hose.take the hose off and blow througfh it.if you can't its clogged.also check the inlet where the dirt goes into the bag.the inlet might be clogged.please leave feedback

You may have a clog in the hose, and/or the inlet by the brush roll. A clog will turn on that light as well as a full bag.