Live Chat> Transcript Rainbow E Series Water Pan Safety Switch

Visitor : hey paul
Paul : Hi Dee. How can I help you?
Visitor : i have an e series rainbow 2 spped, i took the filter off in the back to clean it and when i put the vacuum back together it wont come on
Visitor : it says to use water to clean the filter so i did and tried to clean the diry off the filter.
Paul : Is your Rainbow sitting on the water pan? It will not run unless it is.
Visitor : yes
Visitor : everything is back together on the water pan but i have no idea what happened
Paul : Hmm... I don't think it's related to your filter but let me look.
Visitor : it is not completely dried out, does that matter. i know you can use the vacuum to get water up so i am guessing when you do the filter gets wet anyhow.
Paul : No, the filter does not normally get wet, even if you pick up water. And a wet filter should not stop your machine from running. There is no safety switch for the filter that would keep it from running.
Visitor : well i don't know what could have happened. is there a certain way you have to put the filter back on? i put it on the exact same way i took it off. but i have no idea what could have happened. the machine was upside down for about 15 min rpobabvly.
Visitor : sorry my thoughts get ahead of my fingers
Paul : Again, I don't think it's related to your filter. Your Rainbow should run, even without a filter. Do you have the machine nearby?
Visitor : in the living room i can get it.
Visitor : ok
Paul : Do you see that post that sticks up from the water pan?
Visitor : the center piece for the water level?
Paul : No, if you're looking at the water pan with the rectangular hole facing you, the post would be at about the 10 o'clock position. On top of the water pan - not inside it.
Visitor : ok yes i c it
Paul : OK, first make sure that that post is not broken. On the bottom of your Rainbow where that post would fit you should see a brown plunger.
Visitor : the post is not broken, i see the place it fits into but what is a brown plunger??
Paul : Hmm.. yeah, I guess that was not a very good description. Where that post meets the bottom of the Rainbow there is a safety switch. Normally you would not be able to see the switch because there is a plastic piece Rainbow calls a plunger that covers it. When this plastic piece is pushed in by the post on the water pan, it closes the switch and allows your machine to run. If for some reason that plunger gets out of place, it can't close the switch and your Rainbow won't run.
Visitor : ok it looks like a plunger
Paul : So, it's in place then?
Visitor : i see the place it goes into and i can see down inside it there is metal or tin. but there is nothing covering the hole
Paul : Ahh, that's got to be it. You should not be able to see the switch itself. When you told me your machine had been upside down I thought the plunger had dropped out of place. You can remove the screws that secure that module and hopefully the plunger is still in there and you can just put it back. You will also see where the switch should be and make sure that it is in place.
Visitor : i see, for some reason the switch is not engaging. i clicked it with a pair of glasses. if i plug it in and click the switch without the water bowl it should still run right?
Visitor : the switch is pushed to the side somewhat. it is not covering the whole area.
Paul : Yeah the switch has to be in place. It can't float around. Make sure if you remove that module that your machine is unplugged.

Paul : Welcome back Dee.
Visitor : sorry about that, i live in the boonies, dial up or satelite internet only. dial up is cheaper
Paul : No problem.
Visitor : i wanted to thank you so much for all your help, my vacuum is working. i took the screws out of the panel replaced the plunger put it back together and heard a lovely sound of the vacuum starting up.
Paul : You're welcome. Would you please consider mentioning us on your Facebook, Twitter or other social networking account? Just click the 'Share' link in the right side bar.
Visitor : no problem. have a great day!!
Paul : You too!

 View Next Transcript