Another Garage Door Opener Problem

I have a Genie Silentmax 1000 Model 3042 Garage door opener. I bought it 3

-21-2012 at Home Depot so it is mostly out of warranty by now. Back in Nov . I started having problems. I would press the opener and the door would g o up about two feet - or a little less - and stop. I couldn't get it to wo rk. My neighbor unplugged it in the ceiling and when he plugged it up agai n, it started working. I called the company that installed it and a man cam e out and checked it. He could find nothing wrong. I still paid for his s ervice call. Less than 30 days later the samee thing happened. A differen t man checked it. He found nothing. He suggested I get a surge protector. We had been having some power outages here. I did not have to pay a serv ice charge because it was less than 30 days ... A few weeks later the same thing. I climbed up on the ladder and unplugged the door opener from my n ew surge protector. When I plugged it back in the plastic "socket" chipped off ... it worked but I wasn't happy with it so I got a new electric socke t installed there - thinking that might be the problem. But about two week s later it happened again. Today is the third time...since the new socket was installed. My son said some of these Genie's had been recalled but I c an't find ours listed.. its Sunday. I am waiting for my neighbor to come h ome from work and "listen" to the noise it's making. Haven't a clue about what the problem is. I really like it when it's working right ... it is ve ry quiet. Just wondered if anybody else had this particular model and if t hey had similar problems. Thanks.

Reply to
Dottie
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On Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 2:23:03 PM UTC-6, Dottie wrote:

3-21-2012 at Home Depot so it is mostly out of warranty by now. Back in N ov. I started having problems. I would press the opener and the door would go up about two feet - or a little less - and stop. I couldn't get it to work. My neighbor unplugged it in the ceiling and when he plugged it up ag ain, it started working. I called the company that installed it and a man c ame out and checked it. He could find nothing wrong. I still paid for his service call. Less than 30 days later the samee thing happened. A differ ent man checked it. He found nothing. He suggested I get a surge protecto r. We had been having some power outages here. I did not have to pay a se rvice charge because it was less than 30 days ... A few weeks later the sa me thing. I climbed up on the ladder and unplugged the door opener from my new surge protector. When I plugged it back in the plastic "socket" chipp ed off ... it worked but I wasn't happy with it so I got a new electric soc ket installed there - thinking that might be the problem. But about two we eks later it happened again. Today is the third time...since the new socke t was installed. My son said some of these Genie's had been recalled but I can't find ours listed.. its Sunday. I am waiting for my neighbor to come home from work and "listen" to the noise it's making. Haven't a clue abou t what the problem is. I really like it when it's working right ... it is very quiet. Just wondered if anybody else had this particular model and if they had similar problems. Thanks.

At any point did any repairman disconnect it from the door to see if it mig ht be hanging-up or overloading the motor?

Reply to
bob_villa

Oren is desribing a problem with the receiver getting a signal from the remote. The door opener is opening, so it is getting the signal, it just stops part way up according to Dottie.

Reply to
hrhofmann

On Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 3:23:03 PM UTC-5, Dottie wrote:

3-21-2012 at Home Depot so it is mostly out of warranty by now. Back in N ov. I started having problems. I would press the opener and the door would go up about two feet - or a little less - and stop. I couldn't get it to work. My neighbor unplugged it in the ceiling and when he plugged it up ag ain, it started working. I called the company that installed it and a man c ame out and checked it. He could find nothing wrong. I still paid for his service call. Less than 30 days later the samee thing happened. A differ ent man checked it. He found nothing. He suggested I get a surge protecto r. We had been having some power outages here. I did not have to pay a se rvice charge because it was less than 30 days ... A few weeks later the sa me thing. I climbed up on the ladder and unplugged the door opener from my new surge protector. When I plugged it back in the plastic "socket" chipp ed off ... it worked but I wasn't happy with it so I got a new electric soc ket installed there - thinking that might be the problem. But about two we eks later it happened again. Today is the third time...since the new socke t was installed. My son said some of these Genie's had been recalled but I can't find ours listed.. its Sunday. I am waiting for my neighbor to come home from work and "listen" to the noise it's making. Haven't a clue abou t what the problem is. I really like it when it's working right ... it is very quiet. Just wondered if anybody else had this particular model and if they had similar problems. Thanks.

Two questions -- 1. As far as I know it was not disconnected from the door to see if it was hanging up or overloading the motor.

  1. He is right - the door stops half way up. It appears to be getting the signal. Now ...

My neighbor came over when he got home from work - I had asked him to ... s o he could listen and see if he could hear anything unusual. I had left th e door up so when he got here, I pushed the button to close the door. Gues s what? It worked like it was supposed to ... twice. As if there had neve r been a problem. I am going to wait and see if I can find out if anyone e lse has this problem. Don't want to pay for a service call because it's to o hard to find out what is wrong. Thanks - and if you hear about the same problem please post it on this board.

Reply to
Dottie

ut I wasn't happy with it so I got a new electric socket installed there - thinking that might be the problem. But about two weeks later it happened again. Today is the third time...since the new socket was installed. My son said some of these Genie's had been recalled but I can't find ours listed.. its Sunday. I am waiting for my neighbor to come home from work and "listen" to the noise it's making. Haven't a clue about what the problem is. I really like it when it's working right ... it is very quiet. Just wondered if anybody else had this particular model and if they had similar problems. Thanks.

Hi, That one must be belt drive with same opener as my Power Max 1500(screw drive). You have to unplug - plug the power cord whenever you have power outage to reset the brain. Owner's manual has trouble-shooting section which may give you some clue. Genie support people are very friendly and always helpful. My model is warrantied for life time. My older Blue Max (AC motor screw drive) lasted 20 years. This one uses DC motor which is lighter and faster.

Reply to
Tony Hwang

but I wasn't happy with it so I got a new electric socket installed there - thinking that might be the problem. But about two weeks later it happened again. Today is the third time...since the new socket was installed. My son said some of these Genie's had been recalled but I can't find ours listed.. its Sunday. I am waiting for my neighbor to come home from work and "listen" to the noise it's making. Haven't a clue about what the problem is. I really like it when it's working right ... it is very quiet. Just wondered if anybody else had this particular model and if they had similar problems. Thanks.

Hmmm, Intermittent, undefined problem! Solution is not easy to find on those kinda problems but sooner or later we'll nail it.

Reply to
Tony Hwang

Hi, One thing to check is whether sun ray is interfering with Safe-T beam receiver at certain time of day or season. Picking a receiver position against possible sun ray interference is bad idea. In that case receiver and transmitter should be switched around.

Reply to
Tony Hwang

On Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 3:23:03 PM UTC-5, Dottie wrote:

3-21-2012 at Home Depot so it is mostly out of warranty by now. Back in N ov. I started having problems. I would press the opener and the door would go up about two feet - or a little less - and stop. I couldn't get it to work. My neighbor unplugged it in the ceiling and when he plugged it up ag ain, it started working. I called the company that installed it and a man c ame out and checked it. He could find nothing wrong. I still paid for his service call. Less than 30 days later the samee thing happened. A differ ent man checked it. He found nothing. He suggested I get a surge protecto r. We had been having some power outages here. I did not have to pay a se rvice charge because it was less than 30 days ... A few weeks later the sa me thing. I climbed up on the ladder and unplugged the door opener from my new surge protector. When I plugged it back in the plastic "socket" chipp ed off ... it worked but I wasn't happy with it so I got a new electric soc ket installed there - thinking that might be the problem. But about two we eks later it happened again. Today is the third time...since the new socke t was installed. My son said some of these Genie's had been recalled but I can't find ours listed.. its Sunday. I am waiting for my neighbor to come home from work and "listen" to the noise it's making. Haven't a clue abou t what the problem is. I really like it when it's working right ... it is very quiet. Just wondered if anybody else had this particular model and if they had similar problems. Thanks.

I rarely leave the door open and each time this happened it had been closed overnight ...

I left it open yesterday after it stopped working and we had opened it manu ally. When I pushed the button to demonstrate it to my neighbor it worked the way it was supposed to work.

Reply to
Dottie

When it does fail, does it always fail when the door is going up, or not? This is important becuse the motor is normally working harder to open the d oor than to close the door. If it always fails going up, then maybe the in ternal protection against motor overload is reacting to something. Have yo u sprayed the door hinges and rollers with a silicon spray lubricant? Also , is the track clean/clear of any dirt?

Reply to
hrhofmann

On Monday, February 9, 2015 at 12:52:26 PM UTC-5, snipped-for-privacy@sbcglobal.net wro te:

This is important becuse the motor is normally working harder to open the door than to close the door. If it always fails going up, then maybe the internal protection against motor overload is reacting to something. Have you sprayed the door hinges and rollers with a silicon spray lubricant? Al so, is the track clean/clear of any dirt?

I still haven't seen that the op disconnected the door and ran it up and do wn to see if it moved freely and was well balanced. That's the first thing to do with any garage door problem.

Reply to
jamesgang

My parents garage door opener would run up for a couple inches, and then close. Unless they held the up button, and then it would go all the way up.

Should I have (first thing) disconnect the machine and see if it rolls up and down?

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Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Hi, Op does not seem to be interested in finding the problem and have it fixed or fix it herself. So far she is repeating same thing over and over. Open the door > does not work > wait > try again > works....... Not doing any thing else.

Reply to
Tony Hwang

On Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 3:23:03 PM UTC-5, Dottie wrote:

3-21-2012 at Home Depot so it is mostly out of warranty by now. Back in N ov. I started having problems. I would press the opener and the door would go up about two feet - or a little less - and stop. I couldn't get it to work. My neighbor unplugged it in the ceiling and when he plugged it up ag ain, it started working. I called the company that installed it and a man c ame out and checked it. He could find nothing wrong. I still paid for his service call. Less than 30 days later the samee thing happened. A differ ent man checked it. He found nothing. He suggested I get a surge protecto r. We had been having some power outages here. I did not have to pay a se rvice charge because it was less than 30 days ... A few weeks later the sa me thing. I climbed up on the ladder and unplugged the door opener from my new surge protector. When I plugged it back in the plastic "socket" chipp ed off ... it worked but I wasn't happy with it so I got a new electric soc ket installed there - thinking that might be the problem. But about two we eks later it happened again. Today is the third time...since the new socke t was installed. My son said some of these Genie's had been recalled but I can't find ours listed.. its Sunday. I am waiting for my neighbor to come home from work and "listen" to the noise it's making. Haven't a clue abou t what the problem is. I really like it when it's working right ... it is very quiet. Just wondered if anybody else had this particular model and if they had similar problems. Thanks.

Sorry -- I had trouble posting my answer. I did test the door opener. I p ushed the button and when it had risen about 18 inches, I stopped it. It s topped and stayed in place.

I have cleaned it - every where that I can see dirt -- and I have sprayed i t with WD40 in the places I had been told to use it.

I am reluctant to call for a repairman again because it is doing fine now. When I do have trouble again I am going to call a different company and se e what they think. The parts and motor are still under warranty. Labor is not.

Reply to
Dottie

Dottie, You haven't answered my question - does it only stop going up????

Reply to
hrhofmann

If it was coming down, it would reverse not stop? Do you want to know if it reverses?

Reply to
bob_villa

You raised a good question. I missed that in the original post. If it stop going up, that would suggest that it's not the obstacle sensor. I've never seen one that would stop it from going up, only down. If it's doing it going up, I would suspect that it's the springs aren't adjusted right, the door is binding, or the upforce setting needs to be adjusted.

Did she ever try disconnecting the door, seeing how it moves on it's own?

Reply to
trader_4

Download the factory manual here, and especially read chapter 13, which is about adjustments:

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The repair company seems to be staffed by clueless hacks because a surge protector is never a solution here, and you don't want to hang something heavy like that from a ceiling AC outlet or let it sit loose on top of an opener, where motor vibration can make it move around and, in the case of belt or chain drive openers, possibly jam in the mechanism (hardly likely with a screw drive opener like yours). At the very least, the company should have increased the force adjustment because in a lot of cases that ends problems like yours. Also the door mechanism should have been checked carefully for binding and balance, both when the opener was installed and when the repair company visited. You already paid for a proper diagnosis and repair but didn't get either in 2 visits, so the company owes you. Maybe you should file complaints with the registrar of contractors, any consumer protection agency, and BBB.org.

When the door stopped opening just 2 feet from the ground, did the light of the overhead unit blink? Sometimes it blinks a certain way to indicate an error code, sort of like Morse code. Blinking would indicate a mechanical overload. On the other hand lack of blinking could indicate a really bad mechanical overload that made the opener disconnect the power to protect itself. Normally with older style openers that use AC motors, that's done with a thermostat inside the motor that pops open when it overheats, so you have to wait

1-10 minutes for it to cool down enough to close, until you can use it again, but you have an electronically driven DC motor, so maybe the protection is handled differently, to protect not only the motor but also the electronics.

Check the manual, which any legitimate installation company would have left with you. If you don't have it, look here, especially in the chapter about maintenance & adjustments, starting around page 19:

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Maybe all you need to do is increase the force adjustment, which can be done by pressing buttons a certain way on the remote control. But you really should disconnect the electrical power to the opener and then disconnect the opener from the door (pull on the overhead rope) to verify that the door opens and closes smoothly and evenly on both sides and is balanced properly (should sit still when raised about 4 feet from the ground). With multi-section doors that run on tracks, see that the pulleys are in good shape (plastic ones crack or chip, and both metal and plastic ones can develop worn shaft bushings), the cables and springs are about evenly tensioned, and that all the track rollers are in good shape. Rollers and pivot points should be oiled with about #20 machine oil, not anything like WD-40, which is mineral spirits), but never oil the track. The screw drive for the opener requires a special light grease that won't bind up in the cold, so don't use NLGI #2 or NLGI #1-#2 axle grease on it. I'm not sure if even NLGI #1 is light enough for this. Again, don't work on the opener except with the electrical power disconnected. And if you work on the door while it's open, place a step ladder under it so the door can't fall. Also don't adjust springs, especialy torsion springs (mounted horizontally overhead, in the middle of the door opening).

Reply to
larrymoencurly

+1 If surges have anything to do with this, it would be extremely unusual. I've never seen a garage door opener on a surge protector. But it is a good idea to have one whole house surge protector at the panel to protect all the electronics in the house.

At the very least, the company should have increased the

Or just unhook the door, see if it's balanced, moves freely, then follow the adjustment procedures for up/down force in the manual. But it's also hard to imagine that any installer, when called back, wouldn't have done that. It's very basic stuff. It's also possible the unit is defective.

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Reply to
trader_4

Yes Dottie, exactly this problem, only now on time #3 the motor will only move the belt 1" and I'm told the motor is burnt out and I need a new system for $450 installed. It's only 2 years old!

Reply to
mr.bunnypirate

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