No tags yet.
Having to open your garage door manually isn't exactly a fun thing. Sure it isn't a big deal but in the back of your mind you know you'll be shelling out some money soon to get it fixed.
Yes it's necessary but that doesn't make it any easier. You may be able to repair your existing garage door opener but it is a possibility you may need to replace it.
Or you may even be able to repair it but you SHOULD replace the thing. Sometimes repairing an old garage door opener isn't worth it.
Before we continue, check this out:
If you already know what's wrong with your opener and you just need to find the part you need, check this website out for garage door parts.
Figuring Out What The Deal Is
You're probably thinking, "So what gives man?"
Let's figure out what gives. I'll list the symptoms with the the failures below
Symptom: Motor opens fine but doesn't close.
Problem:
99% of the time this symptom is related to the safety sensors at the bottom of the garage door rails. You can hit the button to close as much as you like but the door will not close. Normally you'll hear a clicking sound or the lightbulbs flash if it is indeed the sensors.
Solution:
A temporary solution, just so you can get the door closed is to hold down the button inside the garage until the garage door closes completely. Basically this overrides the garage door safety sensors. The permanent solution is to adjust the sensors so that the lights (on the face side of the sensor) are completely solid. The smallest flicker can cause this issue.
Symptom: Garage door opener has movement but door doesn't move.
Problem:
The issue here is usually a disconnected garage door opener. If you had to pull the red cord to open the door manually recently it is possible you didn't latch it back into place.
Solution: Pull the red cord backwards toward the unit or refer to the owners manual for your specific instructions.
Symptom: Garage door hits the ground then opens back up.
Problem:
This is one of two things. You may have a broken limit switch (tells the garage door opener when to stop) or you may have a broken or breaking gear.
Solution:
A temporary solution to this (if your gear hasn't broken completely) is to adjust the limit so that the garage door opener stops sooner. What happens when a gear begins to break is a shift forward as the gear wears out. this gives the door more room to close. When you adjust the limit switch it tells the motor, "stop a little earlier than normal." Otherwise it will hit the ground, feel too much pressure and come right back up.
If you need a limit switch you can order one through the link in the beginning of this article (:
Symptom: Garage door opener makes one click sound when pushing the button.
Problem:
Typically a blown capacitor or motherboard,
Solution:
Capacitors and motherboards can both be found online. Normally I'd recommend just replacing the unit at this point.
Conclusion
That's it for this article today ladies and gentlemen. Hopefully you were able to figure out exactly what the issue was and maybe even got it fixed!
You've got the resources now get it done! In the worst case scenario, if you have to call a service company you shouldn't EVER pay more than $500 for a complete replacement of a garage door opener. Home Depot has some for cheap.
UNLESS you have a custom home with massive garage doors or you have a wooden garage door. These typically require heavier duty openers and you can expect to pay a little more. I'd say up to $1,000 depending on the particular situation. This is the reality.
Thanks for reading and visiting the website(:
Have an awesome day.
- William