When your garage door opener starts to act up, it can be difficult to know whether you should try to fix it yourself or call in a professional. In this article, we will explore some common signs that your garage door opener is going bad, as well as the benefits of switching to a new garage door opener.
We will also provide tips on how you can extend the life of your garage door opener and how to tell if it’s time for a new one. By the end of this article, you should have a good understanding of when it’s time to replace your garage door opener.
Signs that Your Garage Door Opener Is Going Bad
Excessive Vibrations
One of the first signs that your garage door opener is going bad is excessive vibrations. If you notice that your garage door opener is vibrating more than usual, it could be a sign that the motor is starting to fail.
If the vibrations are severe, it could also be a sign that the garage door opener is about to come loose from the ceiling. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to call a professional right away to have your opener checked out.
Strange Noises
Another sign that your garage door opener is going bad is strange noises. If you start to hear grinding, clicking, or squealing noises coming from your opener, it’s a sign that the gears are starting to wear out.
If you ignore these noises, it could eventually lead to a complete failure of the opener. If you hear any strange noises coming from your opener, it’s best to call a professional for a diagnosis.
Slow Response Time
If you notice that your garage door opener is taking longer to open and close the door, it’s a sign that the motor is starting to fail. The opener may also start to jerk or shake when it’s in use.
These are all signs that you should call a professional to have your opener checked out. Ignoring these signs could eventually lead to a complete failure of the garage door opener.
Inconsistent Operation
Another sign that your garage door opener is going bad is inconsistent operation. If your opener starts to open and close the door erratically, it’s a sign that the sensors are starting to fail.
This problem can be dangerous because it could cause the door to open or close unexpectedly, which could injure someone. If you notice this happening, it’s important to call a professional right away.
Unresponsive Remote
If your garage door opener remote suddenly stops working, it’s a sign that the opener is starting to fail.
This problem can be caused by a variety of things, including a dead battery or a faulty circuit board. If your remote stops working check the batteries first. If that fails to fix the problem, it’s best to call a professional.
Unresponsive Wall Switch
When your garage door opener wall switch fails, it’s an indication that the opener is on its way out. A severed wire or a faulty circuit board are among the causes of this difficulty.
First, check to see if the wire is disconnected. If that’s not the problem, it’s best to call a professional for a diagnosis as circuit board issues can be complex.
More than 15 Years Old
If your garage door opener is more than 15 years old, it’s probably time to replace it.
While some vintage openers are still going strong, most of them will start to experience problems after 15 years. If your opener is starting to act up and it’s been more than 15 years since you bought it, it’s probably time for a new one.
Lights on The Opener Not Working
If the lights on your garage door opener stop working, it could be something as simple as the bulb burnt out or it could be a sign that the opener is going bad.
If you change the bulb and it doesn’t fix the problem you may have a circuit board issue or a problem with the wiring. If the lights on your opener stop working, it’s best to call a professional for a diagnosis.
How to Tune up An Old Garage Door Opener and Extend Its Life
While you can’t “tune-up” a failing circuit board, there are a few other things you can do to help extend the life of your garage door opener.
- Change the light bulb in the opener
- Lubricate the rollers, springs, and other moving parts at least once a year to avoid rust and extend their life.
- Check the photoelectric sensors monthly to make sure they’re clean and aligned properly.
- Check the tracks for any debris or obstructions and remove them.
- Replace the rollers if they appear to be wearing out.
- Replace the batteries in the remote annually.
- Check the wiring from the wall switch to the unit and make sure it’s intact and not frayed.
If you follow these tips, you can help extend the life of your garage door opener and avoid having to replace it prematurely.
While many of the suggestions above aren’t directly connected to the opener, they will make it simpler for the opener to do its work, extending its life.
How to Tell if It’s the Springs or The Track Instead of The Opener
There are a few things you can check to see if it’s the springs or the track that needs to be fixed or replaced instead of the opener.
First, check the springs to see if they’re broken. If one or both of them are, then it’s most likely the springs that need to be replaced. Also, look for gaps between the winds of the springs.
Uneven doors are also a sign that one side of the springs is failing or you have issues with rollers on that side.
If the springs look fine, then check the tracks for any obstructions, bent areas, or dents. Any of these can cause the door to fall off the track, making it appear as if the opener is failing when it’s not.
How to Tell if It’s a Remote Issue or an Opener Issue
First, change the batteries in the remote. If that doesn’t work, then try reprogramming the remote. If neither of those things fixes the problem, then it’s likely an issue with the opener itself.
Luckily there’s an easy way to test that. Simply use the wall switch to open and close the door. If the door still doesn’t work, then it’s a bad opener. If the door does work with the wall switch, then it’s a remote issue.
Also, if you have a second remote, try using that to see if it works. If it does, then you know it’s not the opener, it’s the remote.
How to Tell if It’s an issue with The Photoelectric Eyes
The photoelectric eyes are a safety feature that keeps the door from closing if something is in the way. If they’re not working properly, the door won’t close.
To test them, simply put an object in the path of the beams and see if the door reverses. If it doesn’t, then you know there’s an issue with the photoelectric eyes.
How to Test if the Wall Switch Is Bad
If you have a multimeter, you can test the wall switch to see if it’s bad. First, disconnect the power to the opener. Then, set the multimeter to test for continuity and touch the two wires on the back of the switch. If there’s no continuity, then the switch is bad and needs to be replaced.
How to Test if the Circuit Board Is Bad
There are a few things you can do to test if a garage door circuit board is bad. Here are some signs the circuit board is failing:
- The warning light on the opener is flashing
- photoelectric eyes aren’t getting power
- both keypad and remote aren’t working
- remote only open door halfway or opens the wrong garage door (if you have multiple doors)
- The opener doesn’t have power but it’s plugged in
- the door opens or close on its own
Benefits of Switching to A New Garage Door Opener
Better Security via Rolling Codes
One of the best advances in garage door opener technology is the rolling code feature. This sends a new code to the opener with each use, so even if someone tries to copy your code, it won’t work because the codes keep changing.
Quieter Motors
Newer motors are much quieter than older ones. If you have an older opener, you might not even realize how loud it is until you get a new one and hear the difference.
Better Lights
Most new openers come with LED lights, which use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. And some have sensors that turn the lights on automatically when it gets dark.
More Options for Opening and Closing
Some newer openers can be controlled with your smartphone, so you can open or close the door even when you’re not home. And some have battery backup, so if the power goes out, you can still get in and out of your garage.
These are just a few of the signs that it might be time to replace your
Cost and Labor of A New Garage Door Opener
Replacing your garage door opener is a fairly simple job that most people can do themselves in an afternoon. However, if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you can hire a professional to do it for you.
As for the cost, a new garage door opener will range in price from about $100 to $400, depending on the features you want. And if you hire a professional to do it, the cost will be about $200 to $300 for their labor to install the new one and dispose of the old one.
Should I DIY And Repair Myself or Call a Professional?
If you’re not comfortable working with tools or electrical components, then it’s best to hire a professional to do it for you. But if you’re handy and don’t mind getting dirty, then replacing your garage door opener is a fairly simple job that most people can do themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if your garage door opener is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, it’s important to call a professional for a diagnosis. Ignoring these signs could eventually lead to a complete failure of the opener.
And if that happens, you’ll be looking at a much more expensive repair bill. So it’s best to nip any issues in the bud as soon as possible. Thanks for reading!