Garage door opening issue

[Ryanbabz71]

Not sure what's going on here. Randomly (like once a week, once a month) when opening my garage door it stops short. I have checked everything that would make sense. Any ideas? Not sure why it is so random and spread out over time. The opener (chamberlain) is only 7 months old. The garage door is 5 months old



Thanks!


Ryan

 

[NorthNjWK]

This issue only happens when opening?

 

[79cmc]

I had a similar issue a few years back and I *think* it had to do with the alignment of the garage door infrared sensors. It was really frustrating trying to leave for work at a certain time and having to waste 15 minutes trying to close the garage door. I may be crazy, but I also made up in my head that the amount of direct sunlight in the mornings (I mean, come on, lasers!) might have also messed with the sensors. Either way, I adjusted the sensors over a few weeks and now I don't have any issues. I also greased the tracks and the chain just to make sure it wasn't snagging on anything.

 

[Ryanbabz71]

This issue only happens when opening?

Yes it closes fine. I closed the door when this happened this afternoon reopened and it worked fine. I have opened 4-5 times since no issues like I said it might go a week or two before it happens again

 

[srleen2]

I had a similar issue a few years back and I *think* it had to do with the alignment of the garage door infrared sensors. It was really frustrating trying to leave for work at a certain time and having to waste 15 minutes trying to close the garage door. I may be crazy, but I also made up in my head that the amount of direct sunlight in the mornings (I mean, come on, lasers!) might have also messed with the sensors. Either way, I adjusted the sensors over a few weeks and now I don't have any issues. I also greased the tracks and the chain just to make sure it wasn't snagging on anything.

You're not crazy - they are infra-red not lasers and can be affected by direct sunlight. The manual for my Chamberlain opener warns about this effect.

 

[Ryanbabz71]

My issue is mainly later in the day or night (sun is at the back of the house after 2)


Ryan

 

[upndown]

The sensors affect the down cycle only! Nothing to do with the Up.

 

[btdobie]

Have you tried adding a little up force?
Are your springs properly balanced?
Doors can jam up when opening because the springs aren't balanced (one cable is under more tension than the other). Don't attempt to do anything to the springs without the proper tools(Namely a pair of winding bars). If you can get your hands on a pair, the procedure for most doors is to remove tension from the spring, loosen the spool on each end, and turn them both so that the cable has no slack then retighten the spools. Finally reapply spring tension.

Understand that the springs can be very dangerous. So, if you are not certain you know how to do it safely, hire someone.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Make sure your tracks are properly aligned. When I got my high lift tracks done I noticed that on the up motion the one side of the door the wheel would catch on the metal. It looked like instead of the metal was pointing outwards somewhat so when the wheel was going UP, it would hit the metal and jar it. Going down wasn't an issue.

I only noticed this because one time when the door opened it made a "clang" noise and I thought that was odd because the doors are normally silent. Sure enough the bolts on the wall slightly came loose causing the weight of the door from going up and down to misalign the rail. I simply ran my finger on the inside track to make sure there was no "lips" while adjusting it and then all has been fine since.

My father had something similar happen to his garage door as you posted. He has a heavy all wood door. For some reason it would do that maybe once a week. Ended up adjusting the power it took to lift the door or force button, I think most garage doors have the opening force and closing force. You might adjust the opening force once you have verified that it's not misaligned or jamming on anything else, as adjusting it before checking might inadvertently cause more strain to be put on something that is binding the door now.

-Nigel

 

[gnpenning]

1. DO NOT put grease on anything. Heavy grease only attracts dirt and in cold climates can cause other issue's. There are many products on the market designed to be used for GD's.

2. As mentioned the eyes being out of alignment or on the wrong side only cause's problems when going DOWN.

3. On a solid shaft or coupled shaft cable tension will be the same on BOTH sides. Even if one spring is broken.

If the cables length isn't set correctly before winding the springs one side can lift more than the other cause the door to bind.



When did this problem start?

Had any work been done around that time?

Why the difference in the age of door and opener? Which model of opener? take pics. The up and down tension adjusting screws are a thing of the past for Liftmaster/Chamberlain.

First thing you need to do is release the lever for the opener and try opening and closing the door by hand. Pay close attention to the area where it is binding when opening. Watch rollers and hinges and for track movement. If the horizontal track is tapered in the door will bind the higher it goes and can cause the problem you are having. Does the door feel heavy?

How is the balance of the door? As you open the door stop it with a roller above and below the radius of the track. It's ok if it settles a little, but should not drop or go up on it's own. Try it with all panels, the top and bottom may settle more than mid panels.

 

[upndown]

If the door and opener were installed by others (company) call them and explain your situation. You should have a one year warranty on both installs.

If you DIY, check the door balance by hand. You may have to add some spring tension. Even tho your door is only five months old, if you bought a door with non tempered springs this is going to be a constant problem, they just don't maintain tension.Especially with an opener that has no sensitivity adjustments. Up or Down.

 

[Ryanbabz71]

This started appx 2 months after I installed the new opener. It happened with the old door and now with the new door. Springs, rails, force are all fine. I would have suspected binding with the old door but the new door is smooth as silk going up and down.


Ryan

 

[CJ7VFR]

I agree with upndown. Try this to test your springs if you have not already.

Pull the disconnect rope on the opener so that you can operate the door manually.

Close the door, and then open it up about half way. It is hard to open? Can you do it with one hand?

Open the door about half way. If you let go of the door when it is half way up, it should stay there and not slam back down or go fully up. If you have the correct springs on the door it should be fairly easy to open, and the door should stay in place when you open it up about half way. It might creep up or down from the half way point, and that is ok. But it should not slam back down or go flying fully open.

If after opening the door half way it wants to slam back down when you let go of it, then the springs you have are too weak and they should be replaced with the proper springs for the weight of your door.

If after opening the door half way it wants to keep going fully up and open really fast, then the springs you have are too strong, and they are made for a heavier door than you have.

Both of these situations can cause problems with the operation of the door. The weaker springs would cause the door to stop on the way up, and the heavier springs would cause the door to stop on the way down.

Jim

 

[Rookie2]

Rare , but possible loose/poor connection of wires on either 120v side or could be the manual opener button.

 

[Ryanbabz71]

Springs are fine

It happened with the old and new springs

Happens with wife's van (home link) and I use the remote from chamberlain


Ryan

 

[LB-1911]

This started appx 2 months after I installed the new opener. It happened with the old door and now with the new door. Springs, rails, force are all fine. I would have suspected binding with the old door but the new door is smooth as silk going up and down.


Ryan

Springs are fine

It happened with the old and new springs

Happens with wife's van (home link) and I use the remote from chamberlain


Ryan

Model Number of opener?

Does the opener have a travel adjustment?

 

[Ryanbabz71]

Ryan

 

[LB-1911]

I'm pretty sure that is the logic board - check the other end.

https://www.movingupgaragedoors.com/where-is-my-model-number

 

[Ryanbabz71]

Model WD832KEG


Ryan