how do I adjust the craftsman 1/2 horse door opener. mine cycles frequently

B B Garage door EXPERT June 08, 2009

There are two different sets of "adjustments" on every garage door opener.

But first you need to make sure that the reason for the problem is that.

First pull the red cord hanging down from the door to release it from the opener. Run the doot by hand up and down 5-10 times. It should run smooth without and scraping shuddering and without much effort. If it does not call a technician and have them look at your door. If it does run well, hook the opener back up by puliing the same cord back . The male and female parts will come together and it will be back on.

Both of the adjustments can be made with a small/medium flat screwdriver. The travel adjustments are always on the side of the unit. They are inset of the side. This is how you adjust how far the door goes up or down. It does not sound like you are having problems with that so leave those alone.

The other set protrudes from the back(single light)or the side opposite of the other adjustment(double light). This is how much force you give the unit to operate. Too little force and the gdo does not operate well, especially when it is cold. Too much and it will not reverse when it comes in contact with an object either damaging the gdo, dorr or object(this can be a person or pet as well). So there is fine line we try to achieve.

Find the "down" force adjustment screw and turn it 1/8 of a turn clock wise and try to run it down. If it does not run then another 1/8 turn. After you find the right amount of force then do a 2x4 safety reversal test. Lay a 2x4 flat in the middle of the door and close it. It should go all the way down on the board and then reverse and come up on its own. If it does not then that same force needs to be turned down until it will operate the door and also pass this test. Thanks BB