Question:
My entire garage door system is very old as it is, but I'm not quite in the
league to upgrade the entire thing just yet. Just about a month ago, one of
the springs broke. I had to get it replaced, so when the guy came out, I
thought about it for one moment and figures I would get all three springs
replaced at once with one labor charge instead of risking another spring to
break.
Since I had the three springs replaced, my door would make this
"clicking"sound like it was trying to raise the door but couldn't. Then I
would push the remote again and finally it would go up. Well, today it
finally won't go up at all. I push the remote and the motor makes a "click"
and humming sound for about two seconds and then stops. This happens every
time I push the remote.
Does the motor need to be replaced? Right now it is a old green Genie
motor. If the motor needs to be replaced, is it as dangerous as replacing
the springs? I did not replace the springs myself as I heard the danger in
the coils, but I am wondering if the motor replacement (if that is the
appropriate thing to do) is as dangerous. My door is an old wooden one, so
it is heavy, what power motor do I need to use?
Answer:
Go to manual (there is generally a rope to pull to
disconnect the opener) now open and close the door manually. Does it move
easily all the way up and down? Does it stay down and up by itself? Does
it bind anywhere in the travel?
My guess is the springs may not be evenly balanced and that is causing
extra drag. The fact that you had both old and new springs on it, may have
been the cause. Even if the door was properly balanced when the new spring
was added, as it was first used, it would have stretched a little and would
no longer be in balance with the other.
Your failure to replace all the springs may have been the source of the
problem. Now you may, or may not, have damaged the opener. Then again it
may just need an adjustment or it may need a cheap repair, replacing a gear
type part.
Next time remember, being cheap can be more expensive in the long run.
If that repairman you had suggested replacing the springs to keep them in
balance, then call him back and let him figure out the problem.
