Why does a new remote not open the garage door?
My mother-in-law's door opener stopped working. The door opener is a Craftsman Model 139.5306. The local Sears store sold her a replacement controller, 53778. They checked and said that this is the correct part. When the remote control button is pressed, the light on the controller goes on, but the door does not open. I have matched all of the code setting between the two units and that did not help.
Expert
Maestro
Since you were advised to buy just a remote, I am assuming that her door will still opens when you use the wall control in her garage. If so you might have the "Vacation Feature" turned on or an incompatible remote control or a problem with the programming of the remote. The Vacation Feature, if you have one, typically can be turned on or off just by pressing a button on the wall control so it is easy to accidentally turn it on. When the Vacation Mode is on, only the wall control will work the door and there should be an indicator light on the wall switch saying "On" or "Locked."
The light on your remote is only an indicator that the remote itself has a good battery and is trying to send a signal. It does not mean that the opener is receiving the signal or processing it. There are several different styles of openers out there and not all remotes will be compatible with every system. The model number you supplied, 139.5306, did not run as a valid model in our system so it may be incorrect (or just incomplete since the model should start with a 139 prefix) so I am not sure which style you have, if you have the correct remote, or how it should program.
If you get the model number off the actual overhead unit itself you can use it to pull up your manual at Manage My Home. The manual can confirm if you have the correct part number remote and if you are using the correct programming procedure. The manual can also tell you exactly how to turn off the Vacation Feature if you have one.
The 53778 remote is an older one, and you mention setting codes between the two, so she may have an older opener that uses moveable dip switches to program. In that case, you could try moving all the switches back and forth a few times before resetting them to the desired code. Sometimes the switch contacts get corroded slightly and just moving them a few times will clear the contact points and return them to normal operation. If there is an SRT or "Smart" button on the opener itself it will program differently and your manual or the link below should help.
If none of this seems to help, or you have some other issue I missed, please resubmit another question with a complete model number and more details on the symptoms and we will do all we can to assist further.
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