My garage door opens by itself. It all started after I changed the battery of the outdoor key pad.

Jimmy K EXPERT May 28, 2009

I don't think replacing the battery in the keyless entry would cause the door to go up by itself. The problem could be caused by the keyless entry or a remote that is failing.

Random opening of the door is usually caused by radio frequency (rf) signal confusing the logic board of the opener. If there is rf in the area, the learn led on the motor unit of the opener will be blinking.

If you can notice if the door seems to open in a certain frame or on specific days. The rf might be coming from a neighbor's house or sometimes from cars driving down the street.

Try reprogramming all remotes and the keyless entry. Sometimes this will help.

To search for something in your home that might be causing rf, begin by removing the battery from 1 remote. If there is not change put that battery back and remove the other one. Unplug one garage door opener, if there is no change plug that opener in and unplug the other one.

If you have lost or replaced a remote in the past, search through drawer and couch and chair cushions for the missing remote and remove the battery. These are the most common reasons for short range.

To determine if the rf is coming from something in the garage or house, turn the house circuit breakers off one at a time. Try a remote after each breaker is turned off. If the range improves, the rf is coming from something on that circuit.

If you don't find anything causing the short range, you can schedule service and get a Sears technician to check the openers. Sears technicians carry a meter that will find the source of the rf signal.