Troubleshoot a Sears Garage Door Opener
Troubleshoot your Sears-brand garage door opener before calling in the repairman. A few simple checks can save you from a costly repair bill. Most common problems are simple to resolve. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Find out if the power to your garage door opener has been disrupted. Replace any batteries in your remote. Check to make sure the garage door opener located on your garage door ceiling is securely plugged into an outlet.
2. Determine if something is blocking your garage door from opening or closing all of the way. If you have the added security of motion detectors near the floor of your garage door, check to make sure nothing is blocking their signal. The lights must be green on both sides, and aligned appropriately, or the door will not close.
3. Determine if the close-limit switch needs to be adjusted. If the garage door will still not close, or if the garage door reverses before it closes all the way to the floor, adjust this switch (see Resources).
4. Check to see if there is a bend or problem with the garage door track. Pull the red switch attached to the red cord hanging from the garage door opener on the ceiling. This will allow you to manually lift and close the garage unit. If your garage door is a solid metal unit, or exceedingly heavy, this will be difficult. After pulling the switch, check to see if the door moves freely on the track, or if the doors are binding somewhere on the track. An object may have hit and bent the door or the track. If so, try to pull the track back into place. You may need to call a repairman for help.
5. Determine if the track needs to be cleaned. Dust and dirt can accumulate and clog up the track. Clean the track with a wet rag or a vacuum cleaner. Place a drop of regular engine oil or WD-40 on the track to re-lubricate it. Open and close the unit to run the oil through the track and into the opener's bearings.
6. Determine if the cables are excessively worn and the garage door springs are tight. The spring should always remain lightly lubricated. Dirt and hair often gum up this part of the system.
7. Adjust the force at which the garage door closes--if it is closing too hard or bouncing back up after closing. The force adjustment is located on the backside of the unit. The sensitivity of the force adjustment can change with humidity and temperature fluctuations.
Tags: garage door, your garage, your garage door, garage door, door opener
