Ahwatukee Living’s Ask the Experts

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Stubborn Garage Door Closer

Dear John,
My garage door closer only operates if I press the button continuously until the door is fully closed. If I remove my finger from the button while the door is closing, the door immediately reversed and returns to the open position. I used to simply touch the button and walk away while it kept closing. Is this problem repairable, or do I need a new door closer?
David

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Dear David,
Garage door openers (closers) are equipped with an automatic safety reverse feature, to prevent children, pets, and other essential beings from becoming trapped, injured, or worse beneath a descending garage door. Occasionally, this reverse function ventures out of adjustment, as appears to be the case with your door opener. The safety reverse mechanism is stubbornly attempting to prevent the door from closing, needlessly striving to save an imperiled life. When you hold the button, you are over-riding this mechanized system. This enables closure of the door, but not with the level of convenience you would prefer.

Older door openers are designed to reverse when an object resists the downward motion of the door. Newer fixtures are equipped with photoelectric sensors. If someone or something obstructs the invisible light beam between the sensors, the downward motion of the door is automatically reversed. In your garage, either the auto-reverse mechanism is too sensitive or the photoelectric sensors are misdirected. A garage door installer can make the necessary adjustments of corrections and can advise you regarding possible replacement of the fixture, if that proves to be necessary.

Inspector's in the House - by John Westlund, Certified Home Inspector

Posted on July 6, 2004