Customer

Maestro

April 26, 2007

How do I fix my automatic garage door opener?

I have an garage door opener. Usually you can just press the button and the garage door will go either all the way up or down. Recently, the door will only go up a foot or so and stop, when you press the button. If you hold the button, it will go up as long as you hold the button(if you let go it will stop). It will still go all the way down with just one push of the button. The button can either by the one attached to the wall or the ones in the car (same result). Any suggestions? The opener is only about 3 years old.

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Expert

Maestro

expert EXPERT April 26, 2007

Changes in temperature and humidity cause expansion or contraction of the door, tracks and door frame -- all affecting the ease of operation of the door. If the door is difficult to move, the sensitivity setting on the opener cannot be set up properly, and the door will not operate properly or automatically reverse in an emergency. Follow these simple steps. If your door fails any of these tests, adjust it yourself or call in a garage door expert. Do not make any adjustments to the springs, counterbalance weights, or cables. These components are under considerable tension and can cause serious injury if they are released accidentally.



First, make sure the door is balanced and travels freely. With the door open, disconnect the drive mechanism from the door by pulling the emergency release cord, dangling from the center of the top of the door. Close and open the door manually to ensure that it moves easily. It should not take much force. Next, ensure the door is balanced properly by pulling the door halfway down and letting go. It should not go up or fall down.


Push the door up and reconnect the door to the opener. Place a full roll of paper towels on the floor, in the middle of the door opening, and press the button to make the door close. The door should compress the roll of paper towels and then automatically reverse. If it does not, open the door and adjust the sensitivity of the opener. Try it again. If you can't get the door to auto reverse, call a specialist. The door should not auto reverse in the last inch of travel. This prevents the door from opening if a piece of gravel gets caught under the door. You can test this with a board or a book.

 

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