Garage Door Opener Works Intermittently - Solenoid?
#1
06-15-11, 01:49 PM
Garage Door Opener Works Intermittently - Solenoid?
We just bought a house. Our garage door opener works great 80% of the time. 20% of the time it doesnt respond when closing.
When it has problems I disengage it from the opener, then re-engage, and it works again. (The door slides down a bit after I disengage/re-engage it. I hit the button and door goes to the up position. I hit the button again and it goes all the way down.)
We've had a repair person look at it multiple times. Last time he said the solenoid needed cleaning so he rubbed it with his fingers to it clean it off and help the connection. This seemed to help for a little while...but now its doing it again.
I dont want to replace it.
What is the solenoid? Where is it? Any other ways to clean it?
When it has problems I disengage it from the opener, then re-engage, and it works again. (The door slides down a bit after I disengage/re-engage it. I hit the button and door goes to the up position. I hit the button again and it goes all the way down.)
We've had a repair person look at it multiple times. Last time he said the solenoid needed cleaning so he rubbed it with his fingers to it clean it off and help the connection. This seemed to help for a little while...but now its doing it again.
I dont want to replace it.
What is the solenoid? Where is it? Any other ways to clean it?
#2
06-15-11, 02:02 PM
A brand and model might help...but I've never seen a GDO with a solenoid.
I'd guess its a problem with a limit switch mounted to the rail. Does it ever have the problem with the inside button?
I'd guess its a problem with a limit switch mounted to the rail. Does it ever have the problem with the inside button?
#3
06-15-11, 02:13 PM
If your door closes by itself when you disengage it from the opener then you might need to adjust the counterbalance springs. Ideally the door should stay in any position between about 1/4 to 3/4 open when you let go. at 1/4 open it is okay for the door to slowly close and at 3/4 open it is okay for the door to slowly open all the way.
#5
06-15-11, 04:32 PM
When its disengaged, the door wants to go down all the way if it gets closer than 4' to the ground. Above 4' it stays up. Could this be a counter balance spring?
#6
06-15-11, 05:35 PM
Well...yer in luck...that's the exact same opener I have in my garage...which is where I'm typing this from...lol.
If it's really an opener problem we can work through it. First thing I'd do is clean the contacts on the up and down limit switches with some alcohol and then a fine sandpaper..like 400 grit. These use exposed contacts and are susceptible to dust and corrosion. Look closely and you'll see what I mean. They are the things clamped to the rail with small wires running to them.
Your spring COULD be an issue...but I don't think that's the problem. Sounds like someone replaced it with the wrong size somewhere in the past.
Going to my birthday dinner now...will be back in the morning....
If it's really an opener problem we can work through it. First thing I'd do is clean the contacts on the up and down limit switches with some alcohol and then a fine sandpaper..like 400 grit. These use exposed contacts and are susceptible to dust and corrosion. Look closely and you'll see what I mean. They are the things clamped to the rail with small wires running to them.
Your spring COULD be an issue...but I don't think that's the problem. Sounds like someone replaced it with the wrong size somewhere in the past.
Going to my birthday dinner now...will be back in the morning....
#9
06-17-11, 07:58 AM
just a word of CAUTION!!
if you decide to adjust the balance springs - be careful - they can get away from you - & cause some serious injury - before you can even blink an eye!
if you decide to adjust the balance springs - be careful - they can get away from you - & cause some serious injury - before you can even blink an eye!
#10
01-02-12, 05:03 PM
Hi!
(I'm resurrecting my old thread).
Thanks for your help earlier this year.
Just cleaned the limit switches (the clamps with wires attached to the rail) with alcohol.
This is what is happening.
1. Door goes up
2. Door goes down
3. Door goes up
4. Door stops moving after about 3" inches.
5. Door goes back to starting position
6. Door stops moving after about 3" inches
7. Door stop working until I pull the detach chord and reattach.
8. Go back to Step 1
Thanks again.
Brian
(I'm resurrecting my old thread).
Thanks for your help earlier this year.
Just cleaned the limit switches (the clamps with wires attached to the rail) with alcohol.
This is what is happening.
1. Door goes up
2. Door goes down
3. Door goes up
4. Door stops moving after about 3" inches.
5. Door goes back to starting position
6. Door stops moving after about 3" inches
7. Door stop working until I pull the detach chord and reattach.
8. Go back to Step 1
Thanks again.
Brian
#12
01-02-12, 05:23 PM
Have you tried the Genie troubleshooting guide yet?
Answered questions about Genie garage door openers.
Answered questions about Genie garage door openers.
#13
01-08-12, 06:09 AM
Problem Solved.
Thanks everybody for your help.
The solution: As the garage door opens or closes it hits a white plastic lever. Under this lever is thin, metal wire that gets pushed against a thin copper contact plate. This contact plate that gets triggered when the door opens must have gotten dirty or corroded. I wiped it down and put dielectric grease on it. Seems to be working just like new.
Thanks everybody for your help.
The solution: As the garage door opens or closes it hits a white plastic lever. Under this lever is thin, metal wire that gets pushed against a thin copper contact plate. This contact plate that gets triggered when the door opens must have gotten dirty or corroded. I wiped it down and put dielectric grease on it. Seems to be working just like new.
#15
01-08-12, 08:32 AM
Yes, you are right. It was covered in the second post.
It just took me a while to figure out the limit switch was under the rail. I was looking at the wires connected to the top of that area.
Thanks again.
It just took me a while to figure out the limit switch was under the rail. I was looking at the wires connected to the top of that area.
Thanks again.
