3 yr old Chamberlain opener is randomly opening.

I had this unit (HD9000) installed three years ago to replace a unit that was destroyed by a lightning hit in my front yard. A few months ago the door opened all by itself...early in the morning - before anyone had even left the house. It then later went down...all by itself. I attributed it, at the time, to a fluke. But the last several weeks I have found it open a couple of times, when I was sure I had closed it. Last night I got home, pulled into the open garage (my son was home) and closed the door. I got out of the car to get my things out of the back, and the door opened. I thought my neighbor's son was playing a joke on me (he has access to the code and comes over all the time) but nope - no one was outside. So I closed it. Went inside, put some things away, and came back out to the garage to get one more thing, and the damn door opened again. I said something to my son, and he said that it had been doing this all day - he didn't know what was going on. So clearly, I can no longer trust it. I disconnected the opener and will manually open and close until I replace it.

I did some research online and see that this is often a stuck remote button (not the case here), or a logic board that has been damaged by a power surge. I think 3 years is just a ridiculously short time to have to replace an opener, but I have no choice as I am very busy - in and out a lot and do not have time to "test" things and "wait and see if it happens again". Is this something that seems to happen frequently with Chamberlain? I thought that this was a good brand of opener, but if it is one that is very susceptible to failure like this, I will have to start looking at something more reliable.

Appreciate any advice you can offer.

 

This is not my field of expertise, but I can share a personal experience.
I have a Craftsman Opener. It was going up and down on it's own. I called them and requested service. Before coming out, the technician assured me this could not happen. He also told me I would be charged a service fee. I insisted he come out. He checked out the opener and nothing was wrong. I paid the fee.
I got to thinking how this could happen and it turned out the wife was keeping her remote in her purse.
Ever since she stopped storing the remote in her purse, the door has been fine.
The technician was right.

 

Yeah - we don't have remotes anywhere other than on the sunshades in the 2 cars. No chance of that being the issue. I decided to talk with the installers that put it in, and they said that the issue is most often (other than the remote) the wall button wiring getting crossed or shorted. Hate the idea of spending $75 for them to come out and then have to "wait and see" if that was the issue, but I'm taking a chance.

If that doesn't do it, this sure will be an expensive new opener. :-(

 

Call Chamberlain tech support at the 800#,I just had very good success with them,not quite the same problem but they are sending me a new drive belt N/C and no hassle.
It's worth a shot.
Geo

 

Disconnect the wall switch and see if it corrects the problem with in off line. You can also check to see if your remote and the opener have dip switches. Adjust one number on each of the units and remotes. Possible that a neighbor has the same set up and yours opens everytime they use theirs. I also read that the frequencies that are used are also used by either the airlines of the military. So there may be interference.

Could not pull up your manuals, can you re-check the model number or provide a link to the manual that I may review.

 

Not the settings - this unit does not allow you to set your own code - it has rolling codes. It is not a neighbor - definitely. I have no idea how to disconnect the wall switch - and it is a random thing...I could be waiting for days to see it happen, and I might not be there when it opened. That is what I am saying - I can't do that. I can't "wait and see"...as I am not home until after 9pm most nights. Too risky.

I don't want to deal with Chamberlain to get a new part - I mean I understand what you are saying, but I don't have the skills to repair an opener and frankly I don't have the time to learn. That is my frustration...I just think 3 years is a bit soon to experience problems.

Model # is HD9000 - not sure why the manual does not pull up. I will double check tonight when I get home.

 

Here is a link to the manual. It pulled up fine for me.

Chamberlain Whisper Drive Model HD900D Owner's Manual

If you do not have the patience or time to D.I.Y. then a pro is your best bet.

As with any appliance, sometimes they outlive the warranty by many years and other times they die an early death.

 

HD900D as opposed to HD9000 as originally posted, makes a difference which is why I asked for clarification.

Lets look at things that you can see without "waiting".

1-Is there any error codes showing on the wall touch pad LCD?
2-Are there any "Blinking" lights on the drive unit itself (may have to remove a bulb lens cover to see near the learn code button)? Number of blinks on the lights corresponds to various errors.
3-Are all lights functioning properly on the safety lights located on the door tracks near the floor? One should have an amber light, the other a green light?