Doors – Should I replace or repair the dead/dying garage door

doorselectric motorgarage

My garage door opener is on its last legs, should I replace it or try to fix it?

Symptoms:

  • The door does not initially move when the button is pushed, but after giving the door a boost it opens.
  • The door works fine on its own, it is definitely a problem with the motor.
  • The motor does not start when disconnected from the door, but giving it a boost makes it spin. So this has nothing to do with the door.

I have worked with electric motors in the past but am far from an expert, and in most cases when dealing with them it was a huge pain in the neck. I'm guessing this is a problem with the brushes, but have never opened up a motor from a garage door opener before so I'm not sure what to expect.

Can these things be repaired, or is it cheaper and easier to buy a replacement?

Best Answer

Lots of things can be wrong with your garage door or opener:

  1. It could be something as simple as needing to replace the springs. If they are torsion springs, you're going to want to consult a professional, as they can store a deadly amount of tension. Consider it as dangerous as electric repairs.
  2. Some garage door openers operate on battery. You might need to replace them.
  3. Some garage door openers have adjustable settings. This is probably not the problem because you've noticed a degradation in performance and haven't indicated fiddling with the settings at all.
  4. It could be a misaligned track, causing unnecessary work for the motor.
  5. If all else fails, it's the motor. It's cheaper to replace it!
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