Garage door opener woes

[Chaznsc]

House built in the 80s has a genie opener. It’s stopped opening and I thought a switch would cure it. While installing the switch, the opener activated, up, down, whatever. Finish and switch won’t work. I take the switch off, wait a few minutes and touching the wires fires it up, open, close. Will do this two or theee times, then quit. On the last attempt, I can hear the genie growling, then stops. Wait. Few minutes, operates normally without the switch. Rinse and repeat.

Time for a new one? Is installing one an unbolt / bolt exercise?

 

[BroncoAZ]

Sounds like the motor might be overheating after a few cycles. Check the strength of your door springs, weak springs make the opener work harder. If you haven’t lubricated the belt/chain in a while I would try that.

For the price and conveniences of a new opener I would just replace it. I have the Chamberlain openers with battery backup, built in wifi, etc. I like the ability to monitor the position of the door or cycle it remotely.

 

[BillK]

On the last attempt, I can hear the genie growling, then stops.

Have you tried disconnecting the opener and moving the door by hand to see if there are any tight spots etc ?

 

[djjsr]

Have you checked the balance of the door with the opener disconnected? Maybe the springs need adjusting and the opener is hitting the opening force limit.

 

[Hooked]

Have you tried disconnecting the opener and moving the door by hand to see if there are any tight spots etc ?

This, if you haven't already done so.

I have a Genie I installed in 1980 which has never had a glitch. It does, however, sometimes stop when opening but closing and re-opening solves the problem. My problem is not related to the opener but to some of the rollers need replacing.

 

[Chaznsc]

Have you tried disconnecting the opener and moving the door by hand to see if there are any tight spots etc ?

Door opens normally by hand. And when it does engage, it lifts or closes without straining. After a few rounds, it stops. Let it rest and back to normal.

 

[djjsr]

Sounds like it's overheating or it's hitting the opening force limit (adjustable).

 

[Chaznsc]

I still don’t understand why the switch doesn’t work.

 

[firebirdparts]

They're cheap. Get a new one.

 

[Chaznsc]

So I ended crawling up on the ladder. The screws holding the switch wires were loose. I reconnected them, put the old switch back on, and I’m back in business. No idea why the new switch wouldn’t work, but even after tightening the wire at the genie-end it wouldn’t work.

in any event, my apologies for not checking BOTH ends of the issue, it just appeared like a switch issue. I will be replacing it soon with a modern one, but for now it’s working.

 

[PelicanPines]

Damn... I need a new opener... and was hoping to find out something beyond "I didn't screw it hard enough"...

Mine are 25 years old... the workhorse side has crapped the bed. Its got an error code blinky now... time to get the ladder out and warm up my electric ratchet.

 

[nadogail]

Genie Openers are my favorite, historically I buy the Lowest Price model with the "Lifetime Guarantee" from Home Depot, have their contractor install it, last one cost $75
installation fee, and keep the Genie Tech Support telephone number, 1 (800) 843-4084, handy.
Genie Tech Support has graciously "held my hand" and walked me through more than a few problems.
They have mailed me replacement parts more than once.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]