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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Garage Door Opener Problem

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smoht

01-16-2005 10:02:38




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My electric garage door opener has a problem when it gets cold out. It closes fine but when you open it, sometimes it opens fine and other times it opens "herky-jery" to the point that it stops only a few feet off the floor. I have lubed, greased, cleaned, etc etc everything I can think to address. I have also just replaced a semi-shot drive-gear thinking it may have been the cause. Now, I am sure the shot drive gear got shot as a result of this problem.

When it gets cold, it doesn"t want to work. Is there something I"m missing?

Thanks.

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Bigdog

01-17-2005 11:32:28




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
I have one that does that too. It will open OK but will not close when it is cold. I can play with it for a while and get it to go down and after a couple of cycles it will warm up enough to work. But as soon as it cools off, it acts up again. It works fine in warm weather and I have checked that mechanically, it is fine - no binding. It is in the electronics on mine because the motor continues to run even after hitting the up or down limit. It does not stop in the same position either up or down even though the limit switches make or break as they should.

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Andy

01-17-2005 09:55:35




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
I have the same problem with my door. I find that it happens when I hit the opener button quickly. If I hold the button down for about 2 seconds, the door will go up normally. This is true with the transmitters in the car or the hard-wired button on the garage wall. It seems like it takes the signal a bit longer to travel in the cold, for some reason...



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Bus Driver

01-17-2005 06:05:48




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
Disconnect the opener and operate the door by hand slowly. If there are any cables, inspect the pulleys over which the cables run. Release all spring tension before replacing any such pulleys. When the door operates smoothly and easily by hand, then become concerned about the door operator.



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chvet73

01-16-2005 20:37:43




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
You did not say what brand you have. On my Genie Screwdrive I had a similar problem. Got their tech support on the phone. It was years out of warranty which did not matter to them. I talked to a woman who knew her product. She walked me through the steps and its worked great ever since. Turned out that the gap between a magnet and the star wheel under the back cover was way off. I would have never know how to do it with out her help. So if it's a Genie call them. It was good old fashioned service that we don't see enough of any more.

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Rod in Smiths Falls, ON,

01-16-2005 15:40:59




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
When mine does this it usually twists slightly to one side at the same time. When I check I find that a set of bearings in one of the rollers has gone bad, and this causes the roller to jam intermittently in the track when it makes the turn to go horizontal. It's a relatively simple matter to replace a roller; they come in packs of two for a few dollars at a lumber yard.



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farmall300u

01-16-2005 13:28:24




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
Most garage door openers have an ajustment on the opener for the DOWN Force and UP Force. When it is cold, it take takes more force to open the door. I have a Craftman 1/2 horse screw drive and the adjustment instructions are on page 29.

If the door does not open 5 ft, turn the control clockwise. This Craftman has two pots on rear of opening for this adjustment.



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Sam#3

01-16-2005 13:27:05




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
It might be your electronics. Mine does the same thing in hot weather.



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Charles (in GA)

01-16-2005 12:32:41




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
Screw or chain drive? You might need to lube the gears/screw/etc. with a synthetic grease, won't get stiff in the cold.

Charles



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Dog's Friend

01-16-2005 13:39:04




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to Charles (in GA), 01-16-2005 12:32:41  
Charles is right. You need a synthetic grease product. I use a product made by Genie garage door openers that works good in cold weather. It comes in a small tube that is just enough for one application. There is also a product called Lubriplate that works good, but a tube of that will last you the rest of your life. I lubed my screw drive with bearing grease once when I was younger and stupider. I had to take it down in below freezing temps, clean it with brake cleaner and re-lube with the Genie product. I live in Northern Illinois and have to re-lube every couple of years.

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Chris in SeMo

01-16-2005 12:21:42




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
It sounds like the opener is working allright but the problem is the temperature expanding and contracting the door and door frame at extreme temperatures.Might be able to adjust the tracks to just a hair wider.Also adjusting the sensitivity button may help.Hope this helps,Chris in SeMo.



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MAC,IL

01-16-2005 10:56:10




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
I would disconnect the motor drive and try raising the door by hand. You may not have it adjusted right and putting more workload on the door than it needs. The old time torsion springs overhead are dangerous and you should use much caution. Newer ones are enclosed. Adjustable with a corless drill and the proper socket. Now, if you have the 2 spring type, I suggest you put a piece of small aircraft cable or rope inside the spring. If the spring breaks it will not beat you to death. AND they do break. Install this while the spring is stretched out and tie it off at each end.

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Steve from MO - dangit!

01-16-2005 13:20:16




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 Cable, not rope. in reply to MAC,IL, 01-16-2005 10:56:10  
There's a lot of force there, and the broken ends can be sharp. There are kits specially made up for this.



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Hermit

01-16-2005 10:26:34




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
Have you checked that your door springs are equally balanced? If one spring is pulling more than the other, it may cause your door to twist a little when cold and spring tension changes.



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Bob

01-16-2005 10:11:36




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 Re: Garage Door Opener Problem in reply to smoht, 01-16-2005 10:02:38  
If you're sure the door isn't binding, try adjusting the assist spring tension a bit looser or tighter, to get rid of the jerking.

Caution: Garage door springs can be dangerous, don't mess with them unless you know what you are doing, and are willing to be reponsible for your own actions!



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