Garage door opener experts

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Garage door opener experts

Posted: 12/19/2016 10:31:52 PM EDT

The garage door opener isn't working right. When you push the button it starts to close then stops and returns to fully open. If you hold the button down until it is closed fully it works. Opens like it should. Ideas?

Posted: 12/19/2016 10:37:27 PM EDT

[#1]

Since you have a KSU Avatar I am going to assume it is coldasphuc in your area. Cold sometimes fouls up garage doors, I am no expert, get your model #, take a look at the manual on-line. The limit stops may need adjusting on the head.

I assume you already checked the safety sensors for alignment.

Mine had the same problem as you describe and I had to change the circuit board which was actually straight forward.

Posted: 12/19/2016 10:38:05 PM EDT

[#2]

Does it have the "electric eye" safety devices? If so, they're probably malfunctioning or obstructed.
ETA: Beat by 38 seconds.

Posted: 12/19/2016 10:39:26 PM EDT

[#3]

Something is blocking the sensors, or the sensors are shot.

Posted: 12/19/2016 10:40:27 PM EDT

[#4]

Cold weather can cause the rollers to bind in the tracks. Release the door from the opener and see if it moves freely.

The photoelectric sensors at the bottom of the track can also be affect by cold.

Posted: 12/19/2016 10:41:58 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
The garage door opener isn't working right. When you push the button it starts to close then stops and returns to fully open. If you hold the button down until it is closed fully it works. Opens like it should. Ideas?

View Quote

your photo cells are out of alignment just eye them up make sure they point at each other

Posted: 12/19/2016 10:42:02 PM EDT

[#6]

You have to adjust the force setting. The opener is feeling too much resistance for whatever reason, likely exaggerated by the cold. There should be two adjustments in the back of the opener itself. One is for travel, don't mess with that one. The other is for force.

Posted: 12/19/2016 10:45:12 PM EDT

[#7]

Check the photo eyes and make sure that thier is nothing between hem. Check the wires running from he photo eyes and see if there is a break in the wire. Make sure the door mover freely in the track when not hooked to the opener. Lubricate the rollers ith some motor oil or 3 in one oil, lubricate the Springs with sorry silicone. If all of that checks out try adjusting the down force on the opener, a little goes a long way.

Posted: 12/19/2016 10:46:25 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
You have to adjust the force setting. The opener is feeling too much resistance for whatever reason, likely exaggerated by the cold. There should be two adjustments in the back of the opener itself. One is for travel, don't mess with that one. The other is for force.

View Quote

If you pull on the door to help it does it work? if so lube it and adjust force

Posted: 12/19/2016 11:12:23 PM EDT

[#9]

Is the sun shining on one of the eyes? That will do it

Posted: 12/19/2016 11:14:59 PM EDT

[#10]

They have memory.

Try full open / close a few times.

If it still does it, unplug it for 30 seconds and let it run a full cycle up / down.

Posted: 12/19/2016 11:18:35 PM EDT

[#11]

Mine fucks up when it is around freezing.

The safety sensors are not obstructed.

A pull on the door to help it along fixes it, so I'll have to play with the force adjustment.

Posted: 12/19/2016 11:20:28 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
The garage door opener isn't working right. When you push the button it starts to close then stops and returns to fully open. If you hold the button down until it is closed fully it works. Opens like it should. Ideas?

View Quote

Hardwired or remote?

Have you checked the batteries

Posted: 12/19/2016 11:36:47 PM EDT

[#13]

Funny this comes up today of all days. I suspected the the cold weather was causing movement of the rails and my sensors were mounted on said rails. This afternoon I used a 1 1/2 thick piece of 2x4 and mounted the sensors to the door frame. so far so good.

Posted: 12/20/2016 10:35:27 AM EDT

[#14]

Thanks everyone. So far the sensors look lined up and not obstructed. It is very cold. I turned up the force, no effect. I can unlatch the door and it still doesn't work. Tightened the chain. I'm thinking it's time for a new one.

Posted: 12/20/2016 11:39:24 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks everyone. So far the sensors look lined up and not obstructed. It is very cold. I turned up the force, no effect. I can unlatch the door and it still doesn't work. Tightened the chain. I'm thinking it's time for a new one.

View Quote

That is what the garage door repair company told me ($$$) a couple years back, fixed it with a board DIY for 40 bucks, what brand/model?, on mine my Internet research showed it was a common problem.

Posted: 12/20/2016 11:57:39 AM EDT

[#16]

Buy a jack shaft drive Liftmaster. No chain or screw to lube, no belt. Don't try to band aid it.

Options are battery backup and solar.

I also recommend an automatic closer, such as Garage Door Butler.

Posted: 12/20/2016 11:59:28 AM EDT

[#17]

Make sure your sensors are aligned. They should both have a green light if they are.

Posted: 12/20/2016 12:53:30 PM EDT

[#18]

It is 21 years old this month!

Edit to add Board is $118

Posted: 12/21/2016 12:44:46 AM EDT

[#19]

It's your safety eyes. They are dirty or out of adjustment clean ormline them up that will fix it

Posted: 12/21/2016 1:07:27 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
It is 21 years old this month!

Edit to add Board is $118

View Quote

Assuming the eye adjustments is proper - I would not mess with trying to repair. I fixed mine - it was only a few years old and out of warranty.

Posted: 12/21/2016 1:19:23 PM EDT

[#21]

Bought a new opener yesterday. Carried the box into the garage and hit the close button. Been working great ever since. So evidently you can fix an old garage door opener by buying a new one.

Posted: 12/21/2016 1:45:42 PM EDT

[#22]

I had the same one winter but only on the coldest mornings. If it was 15 or below I was sure to have trouble. Turned out that it just needed to be lubricated. PB Blaster had a spray can of garage door lube sold at Home Despot or wherever that solved it up. I just give 'em a blast every year when I'm prepping for winter now and haven't had the problem again.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Garage door opener experts

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