Garage door opener question... [Archive]

lspencer534

11-02-2017, 2:49pm

One of my garage door openers is acting up. Last month it would suddenly change direction (from closing to opening); I found that the problem was a loose nut on the rod that holds the chain in place, which allowed the rod to bend and let the chain get in a bind. Tightened the nut, problem solved.

Now the same thing is happening, but all the screws are tight and in place. The motor is 29+ years old, so is it just failing? If it needs replacing, is Chamberlain a good one? My existing set-up is chain drive; can I use the existing chain on a new morot, or should I replace it, too?

DAB

11-02-2017, 2:54pm

29 years old? time for a new set up.

6spdC6

11-02-2017, 2:54pm

One of my garage door openers is acting up. Last month it would suddenly change direction (from closing to opening); I found that the problem was a loose nut on the rod that holds the chain in place, which allowed the rod to bend and let the chain get in a bind. Tightened the nut, problem solved.

Now the same thing is happening, but all the screws are tight and in place. The motor is 29+ years old, so is it just failing? If it needs replacing, is Chamberlain a good one? My existing set-up is chain drive; can I use the existing chain on a new morot, or should I replace it, too?

Most doors have a safety that if triggered the door will stop going down and head back up. Unless your door is too old you should have a safety beam close to the floor that goes across the door opening. Check out those sensors!(one one each side of door!)

PS Chamberlain is a good one!

DAB

11-02-2017, 3:03pm

of course you could create an employment opportunity: hire someone to always be there when you want to come and go, and have them open the door at your signal (horn beep would work). pay them a proper wage and let them have the dignity of a job well done.

:rofl:

mrvette

11-02-2017, 3:07pm

Chamberlayin /Sears are good units, chain drive.....odd thing is, next door neighbor friend had a Genie Screwed Drive.....and not all that old, and the unit would not go down....enough straining on it, and the drive/motor unit started smoking WE thinking it was the stupid cross beams....played around forever on them....the down force sensor??? I dunno jack about Genie.....always have had a Sears/Chamberlayin ......

That's all we need is a smokin Genie......:lol:

lspencer534

11-02-2017, 3:11pm

Most doors have a safety that if triggered the door will stop going down and head back up. Unless your door is too old you should have a safety beam close to the floor that goes across the door opening. Check out those sensors!(one one each side of door!)

PS Chamberlain is a good one!

My doors are too old to have a safety beam, but something triggers it if it strikes an object or gets in a bind, and it reverses direction.

Mike Mercury

11-02-2017, 3:21pm

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/78/0f/4a/780f4a79843025fed2d18aa4ae3e7624--garage-door-opener-garage-doors.jpg

NCC-1701

11-02-2017, 3:26pm

I have a chamberlain and it has been great.:seasix:

MrPeabody

11-02-2017, 3:47pm

Try lubricating the tracks and rollers with silicone spray.

Jeff '79

11-02-2017, 4:15pm

If the electric eyes are off just a bit, what you described will happen.
The openers, being that old though, I doubt that you have them.
Loose wires to the electric eyes will do that too.

Ol Timer

11-02-2017, 5:07pm

I have a chamberlain and it has been great.:seasix:

I don't have a Chamberlain, but I highly recommend a chambermaid...

Norm

11-02-2017, 5:26pm

Stop using the TV remote........

Jeff '79

11-02-2017, 5:55pm

Ahh, no beams.
Ok... Where the rail is connected above the garage door to the header....
Is that loose or rotted, and moving, when you open or close the door?
If so, that will cause that to happen. That needs to be rock solid.

09CTSV

11-02-2017, 6:00pm

If the opener senses too much force it will reverse direction and open. It prevent being pinned under the door. There should be a a set screw on the side of the unit to adjust the force to kick it back. It sounds like something on the drive mechanism is binding causing excessive force.

lspencer534

11-02-2017, 6:07pm

Ahh, no beams.
Ok... Where the rail is connected above the garage door to the header....
Is that loose or rotted, and moving, when you open or close the door?
If so, that will cause that to happen. That needs to be rock solid.

Shit...it is rock solid! Everything in this feckin' house is rock solid! Except me, of course. It's framed in cedar, floor slab is 12" thick, 3500 psi concrete back in 1975, probably 7000 psi concrete by now. Never had anything to rot, and no signs of it now.

Something is causing the door to bind, but the smallest amount of pull by me makes it work fine. I hate ultra-sensitive stuff! I'm going to get a drink!

Jeff '79

11-02-2017, 6:10pm

Shit...it is rock solid! Everything in this feckin' house is rock solid! Except me, of course. It's framed in cedar, floor slab is 12" thick, 3500 psi concrete back in 1975, probably 7000 psi concrete by now. Never had anything to rot, and no signs of it now.

Something is causing the door to bind, but the smallest amount of pull by me makes it work fine. I hate ultra-sensitive stuff! I'm going to get a drink!

09CTVS has the right answer then.
Google how to adjust that screw on the side of the unit then.
A drink is a fabulous idea...
I have mine :seasix:

WalkerInTN

11-02-2017, 6:41pm

Try lubricating the tracks and rollers with silicone spray.

This should be step 1. :yesnod:

mrvette

11-02-2017, 6:51pm

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/78/0f/4a/780f4a79843025fed2d18aa4ae3e7624--garage-door-opener-garage-doors.jpg

TWO problems in that top shituation there.....NUMBER ONE is the idiot put the side/side sensors down too LO, they can't see the overhang of a standard bumper height/rear end of a CAR......and then on top of it, the damn fool had the DOWN FORCE on the unit set at max force.....

CASE CLOSED.....don't matter who made it.....

I installed MY side/side sensors at the bumper height of my vette furthest back protusion.......rocket science.....

SO watch out for shrimps.....

:issues:

MrPeabody

11-02-2017, 6:54pm

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/78/0f/4a/780f4a79843025fed2d18aa4ae3e7624--garage-door-opener-garage-doors.jpg

Actually I this guy drove through a closed door. That's why the door is under his tires.

I'll have whatever he's drinking.:yesnod:

But you're right about where to put the sensors.

WalkerInTN

11-02-2017, 7:38pm

Actually I this guy drove through a closed door. That's why the door is under his tires.

I'll have whatever he's drinking.:yesnod:

But you're right about where to put the sensors.

:iagree: Properly placed sensors won't fix stupid. :lol:

SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84

11-03-2017, 12:19am

can I use the existing chain on a new morot, or should I replace it, too?

Sounds like your morot is getting tired. Replace it all.