Why will my garage door opener not close the garage door without holding the button?

Jimmy K EXPERT February 10, 2009

The led is probably flashing a certain number of flashes then pausing. This is an error code to give you an idea of what the problem is. I am sending you an image of the codes for the flashes.

If the garage door will close when you hold the wall control button in, and the remotes only make the door go down a few inches and return, the problem is in the door safety sensor circuit.

Look at the led's on the door sensors. If one or both leds is blinking, the sensors are misaligned.

If one of the leds is not on, the door sensors need to be replaced.

If the led's on both sensors are off the problem is in the logic board or the sensor wiring. You need to look closely at the wiring to the sensors to see if it is broken or pinched by a staple. You can test the wires with an ohm meter for continuity or two wires shorted together.

If the wires seem ok, remove the sensor wires removed from the terminals on the logic board and check for voltage across terminals 2 and 3 on the logic board. You should have 4-5 volts dc. If you don't have 4-5 volts between terminals 2 and 3 and the opener is plugged in, the logic board is bad.

If you have 4-5 volts at terminals 2 and 3, and the wiring is ok, replace the door sensors.