Sears Garage Door opener
 

I got my Garage door problem fixed so thought I'd post my solution in case
others have this problem. My original post has dropped off the server I
think. (I just replaced the Saftey IR eyes if you don't want to read the
whole thing.) Thanks to those who responded to my original post.


Problem:
------------------------------------------------------------------
My garage door opener will open but not close. It will only close if you
hold your finger on the wall button the entire time. Otherwise it goes 2
inches down, then stops, backs up, and flashes the light bulbs on and off.

The infrared electronic "eyes" installed at the base of the door can see
each other ok, no obstructions, and both green led's are on.

The flashing error code LED on the unit itself will flash once.

I have oiled all hinges with WD-40 as the manual suggests.

I have tried increasing the downward force with the knob located on the unit
but same result even it I max it out. I've also tried adjusting the
downward limiter.

The door is aluminum, two car garage type.

This opener was new in August of 1995 and worked fine for 9 years, then
suddenly this cropped up.

I've seen other responses to this issue posted saying the door sensors are
the culprit, but in my case both sensor lights are green. They stay green
even if you put your foot in front, (should the color change if obstructed?)

Here is the specs on it:

Sears/Craftsman 1/2 HP
Volts: 120
Amp: 5.0
Hz: 60
Model: 139.536415RT
Chain Drive

-------------------------------------------------------------
Solution:

In case anyone else has this problem, it turned out to be the safety IR eyes
that were bad.

When I put my foot in front of the old eyes, the LED would stay green on
both sensors. I ordered a replacement set and now the door works fine. One
LED will turn off when obstructed now, so I guess that's how it should
behave.

Still this will be that last Sears GDO I'll buy. I don't think something
like that should fail. It has no moving parts (in the sensor) and very low
power running through it. Not to mention that the replacement was
overpriced - $38 (shipped) for not much more that pieces of plastic with
very simple circuit boards inside. I also read elsewhere on the web that
this is a known issue with Sears/Craftsman GDO's. That the eyes just stop
working sometimes.

"Jim Devereux" wrote in message
...
I got my Garage door problem fixed so thought I'd post my solution in case
others have this problem. My original post has dropped off the server I
think. (I just replaced the Saftey IR eyes if you don't want to read the
whole thing.) Thanks to those who responded to my original post.


Problem:
------------------------------------------------------------------
My garage door opener will open but not close. It will only close if you
hold your finger on the wall button the entire time. Otherwise it goes 2
inches down, then stops, backs up, and flashes the light bulbs on and off.

The infrared electronic "eyes" installed at the base of the door can see
each other ok, no obstructions, and both green led's are on.

The flashing error code LED on the unit itself will flash once.

I have oiled all hinges with WD-40 as the manual suggests.

I have tried increasing the downward force with the knob located on the
unit
but same result even it I max it out. I've also tried adjusting the
downward limiter.

The door is aluminum, two car garage type.

This opener was new in August of 1995 and worked fine for 9 years, then
suddenly this cropped up.

I've seen other responses to this issue posted saying the door sensors are
the culprit, but in my case both sensor lights are green. They stay green
even if you put your foot in front, (should the color change if
obstructed?)

Here is the specs on it:

Sears/Craftsman 1/2 HP
Volts: 120
Amp: 5.0
Hz: 60
Model: 139.536415RT
Chain Drive

-------------------------------------------------------------
Solution:

In case anyone else has this problem, it turned out to be the safety IR
eyes
that were bad.

When I put my foot in front of the old eyes, the LED would stay green on
both sensors. I ordered a replacement set and now the door works fine. One
LED will turn off when obstructed now, so I guess that's how it should
behave.

Still this will be that last Sears GDO I'll buy. I don't think something
like that should fail. It has no moving parts (in the sensor) and very low
power running through it. Not to mention that the replacement was
overpriced - $38 (shipped) for not much more that pieces of plastic with
very simple circuit boards inside. I also read elsewhere on the web that
this is a known issue with Sears/Craftsman GDO's. That the eyes just stop
working sometimes.

Mine took a **** after an lightning storm this summer. Now the house is
surge protected and so is the garage door opener. Look around on the net and
you will see lots of folks saying you should provide surge protection to the
unit.


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