Before I call for a repair, does anyone here know anything about garage doors?

DO NOT attempt any DIY repairs on automatic garage door openers!!

Seriously, some types have a tension spring in them that can actually kill you if let loose. You absolutely have to call a repairman, Perks!

What type is it? If it's just a Sears thing, check the chain track, it might be a simple case of either tightening the chain or loosening it. (You'll have to experiment.)

Also, maybe you need to grease or oil the door tracks. We have to lube our's occassionally or it won't go down.

Meerkat, not sure what kind of door openers you've seen. You could be correct, but I'm only familiar with the DIY door openers you can get over the counter at Sears and install yourself.

Thor and I are buds. I'll just talk to him next time he's this way bar hopping.

Is Ferret a farm animal?

Perks said:

You read my mind.

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And after I offered help, too?

You're dead to me, Perks.

Perks said:

Oh quit it. You know I love you.

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I'm not here any more. I'm off mourning the loss of our friendship.

I greased my door and tightened the chain.

I agree with Meer...call a repair guy and get it done right.

This from someone whose leftside door has not been used for over a year because he finally got it locked in down position because it wouldn't close and the mechanism is crap.

Yes...I have to call one too. I put everything off.

KTC said:

I agree with Meer...call a repair guy and get it done right.

This from someone whose leftside door has not been used for over a year because he finally got it locked in down position because it wouldn't close and the mechanism is crap.

Yes...I have to call one too. I put everything off.

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how long have you been thinking about posting in this thread?

How old is it? It sounds like the motor is screwed up.

Oil the chain
There should be two adjustments on the motor control, an UP tension and a DOWN tension. increase the DOWN tension a quarter turn after you've oiled the chain. If it gets farther down but still stops, add more tension in quarter turn adjustments, until it closes.

The sensor works in conjunction with the tension if the tension is too low, no matter how perfect the sensors are aligned, the door will find a reason to stop.

I second the comment above, the tension spring can indeed kill you.

It is the coil looking thingy that runs across the top of the garage door. Don't mess with that at all!

Shaun M said:

I second the comment above, the tension spring can indeed kill you.

It is the coil looking thingy that runs across the top of the garage door. Don't mess with that at all!

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Yes, THAT will kill you, but I also don't think THAT is her problem.

I say, screw it all. Dig up your garage floor and turn your garage into a garden/patio.

A rose garden and a barbeque pit would be lovely.

Try a new battery. Cray's available.

Kick it.

Seriously, I have a Liftmaster, too. It does sound like a sensor problem. It could be the sensors are not staying aligned because the metal is not staying bent (that make sense?). Bend them farther, so they go past being aligned, then bend them back.

robeiae said:

Kick it.

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If that fails invite Rob over and kick him. We'd all appreciate that.

Oil the chain
There should be two adjustments on the motor control, an UP tension and a DOWN tension. increase the DOWN tension a quarter turn after you've oiled the chain. If it gets farther down but still stops, add more tension in quarter turn adjustments, until it closes.

The sensor works in conjunction with the tension if the tension is too low, no matter how perfect the sensors are aligned, the door will find a reason to stop.

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Is it just stopping? Or is it stopping and then opening back up. (Yeah, been down this road.)

If the sensor senses a "blocking of the stream" of light. It stops and goes back up. Whether that's real, or a faulty sensor depends on how many pets or how much crap you have in front of the door.

If the system senses a blockage above the sensor lens, it stops the door closing (or opening) process. This is where tension comes in. Too much tension, it stops. Cold metal doesn't like to move. Every winter, I have to adjust this, with the tension screw settings. Adjust slowly, test in quarter turns, as described above.

Also might want to remove the cover and look for plastic shavings in the casing. Those fiber plastic gears are (IMHO) designed to wear out. Make sure the power is off to the unit. I do not recommend repairs to the unit. (I've done it once, and then got to do it again.) Replace the silly thing.

At what point "Do it Yourself" stops and common sense takes over, is kind of up to you and your free time.

ETA: Almost forgot. This does not preclude the kicking Rob step.