Riccar Vacuums - Answered Questions & Fixed Issues

Question edited for clarity and spelling of maker. Question moved from TX Watches category. Try the thermal reset again. When you are using the vacuum and then turn it off, the motor is hot and there is no cooling airflow. If the vacuum is close to cutting out through overheating that lack of air will trip it. If you have digital multimeter, you can check the thermal switch for continuity. https://www.google.com/search?q=Riccar+1800+won%27t+turn+on ..

Question edited for clarity and typo. There is no wiring diagram available https://www.google.com/search?q=riccar+8850+wiring+diagram There is a video though Or you could ask the maker?

Vacuum Cleaner Operating Instructions

Riccar http://media.riccar.com > 8000_Owners_Manual How to Replace the Agitator Belt. (Models 8750 8850 & 8800 only). Unplug the units power cord. Turn the unit over and remove the bottom plate as described in ... 13 pages ..

If your Riccar R-200 vacuum is not working in the areas where the foot pedal is located, it is possible that there may be an issue with the motor or the motor wires. Here are a few steps you can take to try and troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check the power cord: Make sure that the power cord is securely plugged into the wall outlet and into the vacuum itself. If the cord is loose or damaged, it could be causing the issue.
2. Check the foot pedal: The foot pedal is what activates the vacuum's motor, so it's possible that there could be an issue with it. Make sure that the pedal is not stuck or obstructed, and that it is moving freely.
3. Check the motor wires: If the issue is not with the power cord or foot pedal, it's possible that there could be an issue with the motor or motor wires. To check this, you'll need to open up the vacuum and inspect the motor and wires for any visible damage or loose connections. Be sure to unplug the vacuum before attempting any repairs.

If you're not comfortable troubleshooting or repairing the vacuum yourself, it may be best to take it to a professional repair service or contact the manufacturer for assistance.

Question edited for clarity. Help in the link https://www.google.com/search?q=riccar+brilliance+retriever+brush+not+spinning ..

bad drive motor

Videos in the link. https://www.google.com/search?q=replace+a+brush+roll+on+a+Riccar+25 ..

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 ..

Try tweezers!

Link below to company with some info and contact info https://www.riccar.com/customer-support One place it says if your vacuum has a thermal overload reset see owners manual if vacuum will not start. It also says make sure hose is not plugged and filter and bag are good. Manual below has a troubleshooting guide http://media.riccar.com/manuals/RSQ1_OM1706.pdf https://az589519.vo.msecnd.net/productdocuments/Riccar_RSQ1_supraquick.pdf

Either the cord is bad or the reset button has tripped. It could also be a bad hose or switch. Canisters are harder to diagnose because the electricity for the power nozzle runs from the canister to the power nozzle.

I usually just break them off. The new one will literally pop on. Don't forget to take of the hubcap and put it on the new wheel.

I can’t really help with the bag issue because I’ve never heard of that before. But my guess is that the bag isn’t breathing properly or is overly full. If the vacuum sounds louder it’s possibly because the fan is off balance and/or the brush could be bad. To test this turn both switches on and listen is the vacuum sounds normal then we know it’s not the bypass motor. If however you put the handle back and the vacuum is loud it’s probably the fan in the direct air motor. You can also take the brush out and do the same test to see if the loud noise is coming from the brush. If you take the brush out and run both motors and they sound fine, you know the problem is in the brush. Hopefully that helps.

The 500 model is pretty old. It could be a bad cord, switch or a loose wire,

Slide a small screwdriver beside the wheel and rotate it to push up on the axle holding the wheel in place

Your 8955 could be up to 17 or 18 years old. If yours is old or has been heavily used it may have a wiring short somewhere. The screw holding the handle in to the body of the vacuum might be loose which can cause the handle to not full engage the switch. Try wiggling the handle back and forth to see if it causes the power to turn on and off. Tighten the screw holding the handle in. If the nozzle housing is restricted from pivoting freely by wear or dirt or debris the nozzle may not go all the way down when the handle is reclined back into the vacuuming position. Inspect the pivot area closely.

Hello,

This sounds like it is most likely a belt issue with your Riccar. In order to verify this, turn the vacuum on and turn it over on it's side after making sure that the carpet / floor switch on the top of the roller brush housing is turned to Carpets.

When you turn the vacuum on after changing the switch to carpet mode, does the roller brush spin? The belt controls the the roller brush and makes it spin. When the belt is broken or stretched out, and the brush is not spinning, or stops as soon once it hit carpeting, the brush roller will no longer help pull the vacuum forward. This would explain why the vacuum is very hard to push.

In order to help you the best, I went ahead and took some pictures for you on how to change the belt. The only really tricky part is the clutch actuator arm. If you don't already have a new belt, here's a link for you to a 2 pack of belts for your 8955 on our website:
Riccar 4000 / 8000 Series Upright Belts (2pk)

The model that I took pictures of is actually a model 8650, but this is identical in every way to your 8955 in terms of changing the belt.

What you'll need to have handy for this repair;

- Phillips Head Screw Driver
- Riccar 4000 / 8000 Series Belt
- Riccar 8000 Series Roller Brush With Clutch Assembly (only if the brushes have worn down, not necessary if brushes are still long)

Step 1: Make sure the vacuum cleaner is unplugged, and turn the vacuum cleaner upside down so the bottom plate is upwards. It's easiest to do on a work bench or counter top.



Step 2: Unscrew the two metal screws on the metal bottom plate with your Phillips head screw driver, and remove the bottom plate from the vacuum cleaner so the belt is completely exposed with the roller brush.

Step 3: Remove the belt guard that sits to the left of the roller brush, this is a metal part that protects any dirt & debris from going over to the belt. Here's a picture of that part being removed;



Step 4: Remove the Rug / Floor actuator arm from the clutch on the right hand side of the roller brush. Simply pull the metal actuator arm to the left of the brush and out of the circle that it sits in. Here's a picture of that;



Step 5: Once you have removed the actuator arm from the clutch, as well as the belt guard, lift straight up on the roller brush and remove the roller brush from the vacuum cleaner:




Step 6: Once you have removed the roller brush, and the old belt from the vacuum cleaner, take a new belt and wrap it around the metal pin in the back of the vacuums agitator housing. Here's a picture of where that pin is located with the belt wrapped around it;




Step 7: Once you have the belt wrapped around the metal pin (this is the shaft to the motor that actually spins the belt), put the other end of the belt through your roller brush;




Step 8: There is a specific way that the roller brush has to be inserted. If the roller brush is not put in properly, this can cause all sorts of problems including the brush not spinning, as well as continuously having to replace belts. You can see on the end cap of the roller brush (the right side where the belt rides) that there are two little teeth that protrude out of the end cap. Here's a picture of how it looks:



Step 9: With the roller brush inserted through the belt, position the two teeth facing downwards. You can see in the vacuum cleaner where the roller brush sits, a little groove inside of the roller brush housing. These two teeth need to straddle that groove. Also make sure that the little ring, or circle that the clutch actuator arm sits into, is facing upwards completely. It should be directly on top of the two teeth. Stretch the belt using the roller brush as leverage down into the agitator housing of the vacuum cleaner, making sure that the two teeth are facing downwards straddling the little groove. After the brush is back into the vacuum cleaner, take the metal actuator arm from the rug / floor switch, and insert it back into the metal ring (or hole) on the roller brush;



Step 10: Replace the metal belt guard that rests to the left of the belt. You'll notice on the belt guard that there are two little 90 degree notches on both sides. These notches need to face towards the belt or to the right.

Step 11: After inserting the belt guard back into the vacuum, turn the vacuum cleaner over so the top of the agitator housing is facing you. Make sure that the rug / floor switch set to the carpet setting again, and then turn the vacuum upside down again so the brush and belt are exposed again.

Step 12: With the vacuum set to the carpet setting, pull the belt forwards to ensure that the brush is spinning freely. If the belts do not spin freely, repeat steps 2-10.



tep 13: The last tricky part can be reinstalling the metal bottom plate. There is a little lip on the front of the vacuum cleaner that the edge of the bottom plate has to slide under for it to be installed properly. A lot of people just install the bottom plate over top of this lip, and this prevents the brushes from hitting the carpet as close as if the bottom plate is correctly installed. It will take away the vacuums cleaning cleaning ability dramatically. Here's a picture of the lip with the bottom plate in the backgroud;

Step 14: Slide the metal bottom plate into the lip on the vacuum cleaner, and fasten the screws back into the bottom plate to secure it. This is the way it will look if the bottom plate is installed the WRONG way.



Here's a picture of the RIGHT way to install the bottom plate:



The Riccar 8955 is great vacuum, and cleans better then most other upright s when it has a new belt on. I hope that this repair solution is helpful to you in fixing your vacuum. If you did, please be sure to click the Thumbs Up Icons in the top right hand corner of the solution. Feel free to request a clarification on the repair if you have any questions. I'm always happy to answer any questions. I hope will consider GoVacuum.com storefront for any Riccar supplies that you may need. We carry all Riccar Vacuum Bags, Filters, Belts, and Parts.

Thank you very much,

Chris J.
GoVacuum

you will need to get the whole base plate look on ebay

The brushes in the motor are worn to the point that they are not working, it is shorting out.

Start by checking the suction opening by the brushroll. Then remove the screws and take the nozzle cover off. Remove the cover to be able to inspect the impeller for clogs or debris. Pull the motor if necessary to gain access to the lower end of the suction tube/handle.

Your 8650 is likely about 30 years old. It may not have a reset switch. If it won't run it may need a new cord or switch. If it's in good shape it may be worth having it looked at by your local Riccar dealer.