is the sensor on my garage door opener covered under the 2 year warranty? one will light other wont

B B Garage door EXPERT July 13, 2009

Yes the sensor should be covered, but it is uncommon for them to be faulty, maybe 1 out of every 1000 or so. I would have you check a few things first. Make sure it is ligned up with the other one. It has to be pointing at the sending eye. The orange light means that that eye is sending the beam. The green light on the other one means that it is receiving the beam(if it is on). Not having a green light doesn't mean it is faulty. After you check the alignment check the bell wire. It is the wire that goes from the motor to the sensor. On some homes this wire is stapled to the drywall and on others they pre-wire it inside the wall. If it is stapled did they use flat staples? These staples can damage the copper wire inside and can work for a time before shorting out. If it is inside the wall a drywall screw could of punctured it possibly. The best way to test this is by getting a length of bell wire(2-wire), color coded wire. What is on it is white/black,white. It is important to note the colors. Cut the wire about 12" back from the sensor and strip it 7/16". Do the same with the new roll of bell wire, on both ends. On the back or the side of the opener you will see where all the wires plug in, don't unplug any, just plug the new bell wire in by pushing the orange push terminals and sliding the wire in. It will be the white and black, just like the wire. This will tell you if it is the wire or not. Although 95% of the time it is an alignment issue. If you call the warranty line they will not just send another one out. First they will try and solve the problem over the phone and then send a technician to diagnose the problem. Although if it is not a warranty issue and just installer error or you really nothing wrong but like alignment they will charge you a service fee to come out. Which is understandable, since it wouldn't be a warranty issue. BB