It is really frustrating, when your home garage door refuses to open. Before you go ahead and try to deal with the issue yourself, it is sensible to first understand the garage door opener types and parts, and how to locate the source of issue.
Types of Openers
- Belt driven works quietly
- Chain driven model is a popular overhead lifting mechanism
- Screw driven operates automatically
Troubleshooting all three kinds of openers is almost similar because their working parts are alike.
- Handheld remote or transmitter in the car sends signal to a receiver in the system to open or shut the garage doors
- A warning device determines any obstacle in the garage door path, which prevents it from closing properly
- A wire-in control buttons allow operating the garage door from inside the house
Finding the Source of Opener Issue
First determine which part of your garage door opener structure is triggering the issue. It is very simple.
- If car remote does not turn on the opener but using the wall mounted hard wired button functions fine, then the issue is within the remote signal transmission section.
- If your other car remote device works than the issue is the handheld device of a particular vehicle.
- If neither the remote nor the wall button opens the door then the issue is most probably in the receiver, which is installed on the opener’s motor.
Repair Options for Common Garage Door Opener Issues
Power source issues
- Check the batteries first in the remote devices, as this is the main reason majority of times.
- Even check wall control batteries.
- If it does not operate with wall switch or remote then check the power source including the GFCI, fuse, or circuit breaker. Unplugged motor unit can also disrupt the flow of electricity.
Sensors
- Garage doors are equipped with sensors that are laid down on the tracks. These sensors detect anything in the way like car bumper or a dog or a gear. Sometimes if the sensors get out of alignment doors refuse to budge. It means you need to align the tracks.
- In addition, clean the lenses of two small LED light mounted on top facing one another, so that the sensors can detect one another clearly.
Close limit adjustment
- If garage door does not close completely then check it manually first to see, if the door binds when lowered or raised. If not, you will need to adjust the close limit button.
- Even when the garage door reverses instantly as soon as it hits the floor or before hitting the floor indicates an adjustment to close limit switch.
Limit switch movement
- If garage doors do not open completely then limit switch needs to be moved towards the motor unit.
- When the motor does not stop running after the opening of garage door is a sign that limit switch has to be shifted away from motor unit.
Call professionals for specific issues
If you detect that the torsion spring mounted on the door header is broken or there can be broken pulley or cables in the railing system, then it is wise to call trained professionals from providers like rsgaragedoorservices.com.