2level
Well-known member
Maybe, but Liftmaster's reputation is probably more important to them than that.
LM8500 Wall Controller Failure.
- Thread starter Dakota00
- Start date
Maybe, but Liftmaster's reputation is probably more important to them than that.
kwschumm
Well-known member
Having spent my career in corporate America I'd like to believe that but am very skeptical. When they do finally fix the problem it will likely be done in a new model and may not be backward compatible.
wssix99
Well-known member
That would be the likely explanation. If there were defective capacitors on the market, you'd see headlines. These capacitors are also designed for half a million cycles and 150 degrees F, so either they are grossly defective or Liftmaster is doing something to overload/overheat/overcycle the capacitors.
Vintage Veloce
Well-known member
I'm thinking of getting one of these for each garage door to use when we are out of town for a few days. Might be the easiest solution, since I don't want to have to get a ladder to unplug the opener and it isn't on a dedicated circuit.
Anyone have a reason this would be a bad idea? Im hoping the opener would just bounce of the lock and stop. But I wouldn't want to keep trying to open for days...
https://smile.amazon.com/Prime-Line-Products-GD-52118-Galvanized/
forAK
Well-known member
The LM8500 comes with an automatic lock that throws a bolt into the track. Thus making it difficult to roll the door up. When going on vacation, just disengage the motor and keep the lock in place. Heck, you could even throw some vice grips on the other track.
I'm thinking of getting one of these for each garage door to use when we are out of town for a few days. Might be the easiest solution, since I don't want to have to get a ladder to unplug the opener and it isn't on a dedicated circuit.
Anyone have a reason this would be a bad idea? Im hoping the opener would just bounce of the lock and stop. But I wouldn't want to keep trying to open for days...
https://smile.amazon.com/Prime-Line-Products-GD-52118-Galvanized/
My LM is plugged into a surge protector. But maybe just get one of the remotes inline that shut off the power for you, making sure it can handle 1500W or so, switch off with remote, verify off, vacation, then when return keep in car and switch back on, the LM comes back online after about a minute
eastbaysubaru
Well-known member
Just replaced an LM888 on my father's 8500. It now has a low humming which seems to be a transformer issue. Sent them an email today to see about getting it replaced based on another thread here on GJ.
-Brian
-Brian
wssix99
Well-known member
Twice this week, I've walked into the garage and one of my units remote lights has randomly come on...
My stand-by capacitors can't get here fast enough so I can test my remotes...
Both instances happened after I opened and closed another door and then walked away, so I'm hoping that it is some sort of delayed interference between my units. ...but that would be really weird...
My stand-by capacitors can't get here fast enough so I can test my remotes...
Both instances happened after I opened and closed another door and then walked away, so I'm hoping that it is some sort of delayed interference between my units. ...but that would be really weird...
jmorriss
Member
So I really wanted an 8500 for my 16' W, 12' H shop door and found this thread.
Has anyone else had any other reliability issues with the door other than the controller?
Has anyone else had any other reliability issues with the door other than the controller?
COBRA5LADDICT
Active member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2008
- Messages
- 31
i see that you can still buy what is advertised as the 3900LM since these dont have myQ will this opener have the same issue?
Rod N
Well-known member
Wow this really *****. There are days that go by that I don't check my garage.
My wife mentioned that the door went to do it's automatic close and she walked in front of it to cancel and it kept coming down. Could this be the controller too?
My wife mentioned that the door went to do it's automatic close and she walked in front of it to cancel and it kept coming down. Could this be the controller too?
The controller that comes with the 3900 is also plagued with a short life span of 2-3yrs. BUT, from what I understand the learn button is on the motor itself. So a simple bell push button controller would work and the remote(s) for the vehicles would still work as well.
I highly doubt the controller has anything to do with that. Sounds like more of an issue with the safety sensors or the logic board inside the opener itself.
cajunfirehawk
Well-known member
In the 2 plus years I have had mine only 1 issue with door opening and I blame that on some sort of power cycle issue related to a mega thunderstorm, my shop temps get over 100 degrees in the summer too so if heat is a factor Ill know sooner or later.
bradleykd
Well-known member
Does anybody know if HomeLink openers in vehicles will work with the 3900? I'm fine with just a bell type button in the garage, but I'd like homelink in my truck to work to open the door.
I was pretty set on the 8500 until I read this thread... I really don't want to deal with this nonsense, but I need the overhead clearance between my door rails.
I was pretty set on the 8500 until I read this thread... I really don't want to deal with this nonsense, but I need the overhead clearance between my door rails.
Brian_WK
Well-known member
Im at the 3 year mark now and I think mine is starting to go out. I will hit the button to close it goes down about 2 feet I get a light flash (like its obstructed) the door will reverse to full open. No continuing flashing lights like the door encountered an obstruction, or beams were broken. I have to hold the button until the door fully closes then it works normally for a few weeks.
Brian
Brian
wssix99
Well-known member
^ This was door #1.
We got a call from a neighbor this morning that door #3 was halfway open and the garage was dark. I went to check it out and the controller was idle, but the door was exactly half-way open and the auto-shut feature had apparently not triggered.
I called Liftmaster/Chamberlain today and I have three new controllers on the way. We'll see if I have any fingernails left as I wait 5 days for the things to arrive...
The rep confirmed that the problems are not uncommon, a permanent fix has not been identified, and no long term plan has been announced. If this hasn't been resolved by the time these controllers go south, I'll definitely be taking legal action...
I'm also still waiting for replacement capacitors, just to have them on hand. I found out today that they are on a ship somewhere in the Atlantic right now... (Not very useful there...)
wssix99
Well-known member
No kidding. We're all under warranty now but it will be interesting to see what happens in the next year. This problem seems to be pretty clear cut...
They are either going to need to come up with a retrofit controller design, do a recall, and keep the platform going, or replace the entire line and find some special incentive to get us to all "upgrade" when we come out of warranty.
wssix99
Well-known member
In my new-found paranoia, I checked my doors before leaving the house on foot today and... now door #2 was 1/4 of the way open. No auto-close. Lights off...
All three of my doors have become Zombies within 4 weeks of each other. In my case, this failure sure does look like clockwork - nothing random about it!!!
sbosecker
Well-known member
Purchased 3 Liftmaster 8500's that came with LM888 controllers in July 2014.
The LM888 that is in the bay that gets used the most failed a couple of weeks ago.
I did some troubleshooting steps which indicated that the 8500 was working fine and the wiring from the LM888 to the LM8500 was fine. I passed along that info to Liftmaster when I called them.
Liftmaster sent a replacement without issue. New one has been installed and works fine.
Scott
The LM888 that is in the bay that gets used the most failed a couple of weeks ago.
I did some troubleshooting steps which indicated that the 8500 was working fine and the wiring from the LM888 to the LM8500 was fine. I passed along that info to Liftmaster when I called them.
Liftmaster sent a replacement without issue. New one has been installed and works fine.
Scott
jmorriss
Member
Yea, basically controller issues aside is the unit worth it?
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
wssix99
Well-known member
Confirmed by Liftmaster this week - The new units are exactly the same as the old. The design is not any different. So, the parts are fresh and, if they are going to fail, they should not fail for a few years. (Presumably long enough for a long term fix to be derived or implemented.)
The units work great and are wonderful in their general design approach. However, there are known mechanical/electrical issues that can come up inside the unit (see above) and this controller issue is a flat out defect and needs to be recalled. I can't imagine any justification to buy a defective product that one knows is going to be recalled. (Particularly when the resolution may not be equitable for the purchaser...)
One wide open door to thieves and it's definitely NOT worth it.
I'm not so sure the problem is in the wall units. (That would be an easy fix.) If the problem is in the main unit control boards, that's going to be a bit of a disaster to remedy.
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wssix99
Well-known member
This appears to be a regular problem vs. a Zombie Door.
AP514
Well-known member
Some places that have CAPACITORS for replacing the bad ones...
Hope this helps some of you DIYers ........
https://www.badcaps.net/index.php
this just has a tutorial (on left) How removing and installing a capacitor
and here
http://www.anglia.com/product_search/pg.asp
Hope this helps some of you DIYers ........
https://www.badcaps.net/index.php
this just has a tutorial (on left) How removing and installing a capacitor
and here
http://www.anglia.com/product_search/pg.asp
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I just purchased the 8500 and with it came the 888LM. So many good reviews on the 8500 I missed seeing the reviews on the controller prior to buying. While looking up something else prior to installing my 3 units I began noticing the failure posts on the controller...at an alarming rate.
I called Liftmaster today and spoke to a representative who told me the failure issue they believe has been taken care of and that all new units recently shipped to retailers should not have the premature failure. I was told they got a "bad batch" prior and most of what was still at retailers was recollected by Liftmaster around May-June 2017. He said there may still be a few other there that hadn't been collected such as retailers on Amazon etc. Great! bought mine through Amazon.
My controllers have a date on them of 7/17 and was told my units should not have the early failure as the prior. He did not know details as to what caused the early failure or what was done to fix it other than the prior affected units had bad boards. Further I was told that a fix was also implemented to keep the garage door shut or essentially it wont change the current status of the door if the unit fails. So if its open when if fails it should stay open and if closed stay closed and will have to be operated manually.
hmm...I guess I'll find out come 2-3 years.
I called Liftmaster today and spoke to a representative who told me the failure issue they believe has been taken care of and that all new units recently shipped to retailers should not have the premature failure. I was told they got a "bad batch" prior and most of what was still at retailers was recollected by Liftmaster around May-June 2017. He said there may still be a few other there that hadn't been collected such as retailers on Amazon etc. Great! bought mine through Amazon.
My controllers have a date on them of 7/17 and was told my units should not have the early failure as the prior. He did not know details as to what caused the early failure or what was done to fix it other than the prior affected units had bad boards. Further I was told that a fix was also implemented to keep the garage door shut or essentially it wont change the current status of the door if the unit fails. So if its open when if fails it should stay open and if closed stay closed and will have to be operated manually.
hmm...I guess I'll find out come 2-3 years.
2level
Well-known member
Sorry to break the news to ya Zeke21, but I think you been 'shined' / given a scripted response. Keyword by Phone Answer Person was "believe" instead of "I know that the failure issue is completely corrected now".
wssix99
Well-known member
I don't believe it - but it would be interesting to see the version numbers on the circuit boards of the new controllers and main units to see if they have indeed made any revisions.
jmorriss
Member
Great idea! Any volunteers?
After reading that quote I was trying to make time to email Liftmaster CS today and see if I could get as much in writing to save for my future warranty claim on the shop toy I really need to purchase.
jmorriss
Member
I've been looking hard and can't find any others without getting into the commercial end of things from either Liftmaster or Overhead door (and I don't think you can just buy an overhead door one without the install).
That's why I finished it with I guess I'll find out in 2-3 years. Maybe I should call again, see if I get someone different and see what they tell me.
Radix2
Well-known member
I was plagued with the random lights on issue (no door anomalies). I saw the posts here about the use of led bulbs in the light units and did some experiments to try different bulbs.
No doubt about it, some of my led bulbs caused the problem.
So if your issues are around the lights being flaky , definitely try different bulbs first.
No doubt about it, some of my led bulbs caused the problem.
So if your issues are around the lights being flaky , definitely try different bulbs first.