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Craftsman 1/2 hp garage door opener reverses after closing a little

8 years ago

My opener looks like this http://i.imgur.com/tCVQjwq.jpg and recently it started to have problems when door is closing. The garage door type is the one with two springs on either side of the motor. I've tried online search, YouTube tutorials, houzz forum, etc. but still can't find the cause, maybe people more knowledgeable here will have better ideas

Observations:

- Both safety sensors display green light, constantly lit.

- When garage door is not attached to the trolley, it moves without any problems(e.g. when door is closed and disengaged when the trolley is closest to the motor, when the door panel button is pressed, the trolley moves all the way to the other end without problems)

- Even when wall panel button is held down to close, the door still reverses after closing a little

- Happens both during the day and night, so might not be interference problems

- Door opens with no problems

I've also tried cleaning the lenses, re-adjust them to make sure they're aligned but am still beat, any idea appreciated

Thanks!

Featured Answer

Vith

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Perhaps there is a misalignment between the track and the door. If the motor senses extra resistance it is probably reversing to stop damage from happening. Or the springs are wound too tight to allow the door to close. They are clearly tight enough to help the door open but might be overtight.

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Comments (13)

tim45z10
8 years ago
To check for spring tension, pull the handle to make it manual. Push the door open a little. It should go midway and stop.

Unfortunately, it is a craftsman. I have seen dozens of questions asked about them.
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johnmeto123
8 years ago
Run the opener through a complete travel cycle after each adjustment, Incorrect adjustment of garage door travel limits will interfere with proper functioning.
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modern_family thanked johnmeto123
modern_family
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
@Vith i'll check when i get a chance, but from pulling it manually i'm able to close it fully without much force by hand, thanks!
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modern_family
Original Author
8 years ago
@tim45z10 From manually closing it it seems like the spring tension is right(both springs were replaced by me, unprofessionally, a couple years ago, and the problem just started recently) i'll check when i get a chance, thanks!
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sdello
8 years ago
If there is a problem with the sensors then when the door reverses the light should blink multiple times. Assuming that isn't happening, the next thing to check is if there is excessive force when the door is trying to close. You need to manually operate the door up and own to see if it's smooth. If one spring is pulling more that the other, the door will rack and cause interference/need more force to move. There is a force adjustment on the opener and maybe it's time to increase the downforce a little.

Search online and get the manual for your opener before adjusting anyhting. Get the specific model number off of the unit, there are alot of 1/2 hp gdo's that look like the one in your picture.

FWIW, Craftsman openers are made by Chamberlain and there is nothing "inferior" about them. One finds a lot of "questions" online for two reasons 1) Sears sold/sells a LOT of them and 2) Sears sells to a lot of do-it-yourselfers.
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tim45z10
8 years ago
Does your trolley require lubrication? I even spray my rollers and track with wd.
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modern_family thanked tim45z10
sdello
8 years ago
I brush on motor oil to the rollers, it lasts longer than WD. Lithium grease for the trolley (don't want oil dripping on my car).
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modern_family thanked sdello
modern_family
Original Author
8 years ago
@tim45z10 hm it shouldn't need more, i sprayed garage door lubricant on the rollers, and when i manually roll them it seemed smooth, thanks!
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sdello
8 years ago
so modern_family did you ever get your door operating properly?
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modern_family thanked sdello
modern_family
Original Author
8 years ago
@sdello thanks for the reminder but unfortunately i didn't get to it this weekend(just doing it manually so far) i'll be sure to update when i do, thanks again!
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modern_family
Original Author
8 years ago
@sdello I turned the knob for the down force up from 1 to 2. (entire scale goes up from 1-11) and so far it's been working without issues. Thanks again!
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PRO
johnmeto123
8 years ago
check the spring tension !!
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