ok, for no discernible reason, my garage door opener failed to open the double-sized garage door for me yesterday morning when I was attempting to head on out the door and haul off for work.
So I clambered up and engaged the manual override and got out that way.
Been looking at this thing some last nite and this morning and just don’t see what to try to get it to work!
INFO: it is a 1/2 hp Liftmaster Professional Line Security + door opener. When I hit the activation button on garage wall or the remotes, what I hear is the motor beginning but the chain doesn’t move at all…it’s as if the shaft to chain connection is severed…
But when I climb up to try and SEE more, I see the funkiest wiring ever and no ready way to check into the housing. I note from the info plate that it was made in Mexico and has a date of March 2000 so I wonder if these things just “fail” after “X” amount of years???
Will run out and take some pics and come back and post them; but hoping somebody on line today can give some advice?
TIA!
Only dead fish swim with the stream.
Author Unknown
Replies
Most likely a stripped gear chain.
http://www.aaaremotes.com/liftmaster-parts.html
http://www.aaaremotes.com/ligadooprepa1.html
If your model is not there you can get a manual from Liftmaster's website.
Mine is about the same age and it is a Chamberlain belt drive and I looked, there are 4 screws on the side (or front/back) at the top of the sides that hold the shroud on. Just like the 25 YO liftmaster that it replaced.
Chamberlain makes the Chamberlain, Sears, and Liftmaster units. They are all basically the same and use the same parts, except that the Liftmaster has one part rails for "pro" installations.
And for the some models the lights are on the ends and some the sides so that is why I said "side (or front/back)".
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Hey Bill - tks for those links.
I just went out and took off the OTHER lite/lens cover (it has one at both ends) to get the model number, which is 1265LM
I also took off the black plastic protector over the "end" of the drive chain that's connected to the shaft from the motor and saw that the chain looks good at or on the teeth/sprocket end that's outside the motor housing on the topside.
Still gotta go to those websites and see what else I need to do to take that darn metal housing all the way off as taking the 4 screws out didn't do the entire job unless I gotta force it?
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
I'm wondering if the key fell out of the drive shaft.....
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, wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
I'm wondering the same thing now (see my 2 posts above and pics please).
problem now is getting that darn housing off so I can see what's going on inside so I'll know what replacement part I need.
at least, I THINK that's my current dilemma...??? what am I missing????
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
I just went to "spring out a little" the motor housing and discerned that at bottom center on both ends, there was SOME FASTENER...so had to get longer shafted screwdriver, undid those, and motor housing came off and it was like SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frigging shavings of white plastic type material! Gotta clean out and take some more pictures to share here.
am thinking is not a lost key in shaft situ...
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
maybe pull the Manual release and try to pull / push the chain by hand.
if the chain moves easily by hand..it might be as simple as a set screw on the shaft or the key is inside somewhere.might want to kill the power first though..
or try it with the door disconnected and hit the button
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
oops just saw that post......
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
stay tuned, new pics...in the works...
ah man this is not good...
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Ck out the pics in post 10 (please) and then this website with schematic showing the parts (and THANKS to Bill for sharing that URL!). I'm THINKING I need item 4...
http://www.aaaremotes.com/mo9810101010.html
What do y'all think?
I'm heading back out to clear away the shavings and get a better sense of how all these pieces & parts assemble/disassemble before I think further of ordering a replacement part...
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
actually, methinks item #5 is the goner....and in one of Bill's other links there is a picture of a kit with that shaft and gears........but it would be nice to just get the part you need and not an entire assembly, unless the latter is easier to change of course...
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
like this one maybe.....http://www.aaaremotes.com/gearsprocask.html.
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
I just ordered that gear and sprocket assembly...it'll arrive via UPS ground while I'm in Vegas so will alert my wonderful neighbors to pls keep an eye out and retrieve the package when it shows up (they always watch out for my place when I'm travelling and I bring 'em back souvenirs! works out well)
Hopefully, I won't be back in this thread whining about how to get the replacement parts installed in a coupla weeks! If I do, you have my permission to toss some cheese at me to go with my wining...
hey - THANK YOU again!
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
you did order the right part ? Vegas is gonna be too HOT..stay home !.
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
I ordered the assy kit 41C4220A which should work on my model 1265 liftmaster... Hope that's the right thing!?
You're right about Vegas being brutally hot - about 114*F daytime and 90's at nite...but is the site of the inauguaral FIRST reunion of the former Johnston Atoll workers and I wouldn't miss it for the world. (I'm counting on a/c, truth be told!)
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
I didn't think those geezers would still be alive..I must be getting my Thermo-Nuclular Fission / Fusion explosions mixed up........
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
you're correct if you're thinking back to its early days as a missile testing site...
there's a dude alive from that era, in his 70's now, who's been regaling us on the internet group of formerJIers with tales of what it was like WAY back then... I really like to pay attn to old timers as they carry a lot of knowledge around with them that's not written down anywhere, y'know? Anyway, I think we got him talked into showing up for the reunion and swapping tales with us chem wpns disposal era folks!
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
chem weapons disposal ??sounds like a nice job.........
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
While many worry and talk talk talk about threats to the USA from afar...me and others work daily to get rid of decades old WMD in our own backyards of our own govt's making back in the Cold War era. Not that there's anything wrong with the discussions route - just needs to be backed up with the GET OUT AND VOTE action more, IMO.
anyway: JACADS on Johnston Atoll = Mission completed, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnston_Atoll
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
wow..I'm speechlessI had no idea that was your job...I don't even know how to express my gratitude..having to carry Atropine / 2 -Pam chloride around with all day long.
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
yup, right now - that's my dayjob...then it is home to fight the critters eating my 'maters in my yard, and fixing the latest thing that's broken round the house, and painting this and adjusting that. Is good when ya got an office job to use power tools or a shovel at the end of the day...very therapeutic to work a different set of muscles and make a little noise! <g>
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
well that's quite the day job !!!
you need to let off steam from something like thatand for me the end of the day is peace and quiet
LOTS of quiet...
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
It's good to balance before the end of each day, that which occurs in the prior hours...
:-)
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Confucius??are you eatin Chinese..........??? .
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
Oh grasshopper...when ya get older than your 30's...some of these things just become SELF EVIDENT.
and MYOB bout who I'm eating! jeepers, us single gals deserve a little more respect! harumph! ;-)
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
all those chemicals you have back at the office and you can't get the upper on a few little ol' bugs...
ROAR!!!!Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Somehow being in proximity to serious chemicals all day makes me loathe to come home and spread MORE of any of them or type of them, around my yard & house...
go figure
Say G'nite Gracie and I'll say G'nite George!
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
sub contract...
g'nite Gracie...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
g'nite george!
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Isee that Amazon sells them.http://www.amazon.com/Liftmaster-Sprocket-Assembly-Number-41C4220A/dp/B00023RTD6The reviews indicate that it included instructions and was not that hard.Here is another thread about replacing it.http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=194172Some of the people had problems, but they where mostly of the cockpit type.Right now my garage floor is full of trim that I am varnishing.As soon as I get that area free I need to check mine..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Bill you've been a terrific help!
THANKS SO MUCH! I've ordered the gear/sprkt assy and it'll arrive while I'm out west but that's ok as my buds a house over will watch for it for me.
Glad I'm not varnishing trim on garage floor today...(wassamatteryou? ya got no sawhorses?) Last time I did that, I was helping my bro in IN and found out he's even more nitpicky anal than I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yikes...
Happy 4rth!
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Here's pics of what I've got (6 pics attached below).
I've taken the 4 sheetmetal screws off the center housing cover and found that it does not readily come off to allow me to inspect the internals (dangnabit!? should I 'force it off'? or is there better way or some step I'm missing?)
I've realigned manually the slider metal part over the plate it fits over that's connected to the drive chain, and gave the start button a push, trying to reset it...?...but only heard the motor whirrring away again and no movement.
Don't know what else to try.
Appreciate any assistance or advice y'all can lend!
Only dead fish swim with the stream.
Author Unknown
I have not had to open up my new one.But the old one you needed to spring the case out little. It was basically U-shape with the top edge angled in a little.My new one looks similar..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
spring it out a little...ok, will go try that and be right back...
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
My guess is that the white nylon gear on the top of the unit is now toothless. This is definitely a wear item, and 7 years is about right for it to fail.
Just take off the little cover plate over the return of the chain. I think I see white nylon dust in one of the pics.
Good luck !
Greg
that WAS some nylon shredded stuff on TOP of the housing (sharp eyes you!) and the inside full of it too.
am gonna go snap some more photos...
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Got the housing off, found white plastic snow...here's new batch of pics showing what bit the big one inside:
the "money shots" are 10 & 11...(I think)
I need to figure out the name of that disintegrated part to see about ordering a replacement AND need some advice first about is it something I can readily disassemble and replace or should I just replace the dam unit?
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
If you check online everybody and his brother that sells the replacement parts sells the "gears". For some models it appears to be a kit and others individual gears.So I assume that they "relatevely" easy to replace.You can probably get it locally from a Liftmaster dealer.http://www.liftmaster.com/cw/dl/selector/0,1281,,00.htmlOr from Sears if you have a Sears repair and parts depot.From what I have seen of the manuals Sears openers use the the Chamberlain parts numbering scheme. But knowing Sears you probably need to start with a Sears model number and they will be losted without that..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
This looks just like a Sears unit in which I replaced the same gears last year. Yes you can do it. If I remember correctly the parts came with instructions on how to replace. It was not hard and actually only took about an hour at most.
Look in you manual for a parts list or better yet call the mfg. and they probably have a kit with everything you need ready to go.
Got the job done and posted pics and my lessons learned, in post #42.
THANKS
:-)
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Overhead door stocks the patrs if you want them now..Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I can wait to do this repair after I get back from lost wages...but thanks tho! I'm gonna use the cruddy weather we now have (rain, sky rumbles, etc.) and motivate myself to start prepacking so I'm not in my typical last minute rush mode doing so on Friday since tomorrow will get sucked up with another day toiling away at the salt mines...
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Got the parts upon my return home to rain awash AR...Got onto the task yesterday (too many other interruptions upon arrival home!).
They DID include "directions" with the parts but the one KEY portion they didn't mention, IMO, is to align the receptor holes in the escutcheon plate at top of the sprocket assembly, so that they are in alignment with the drive chain, so that once you get all the gear parts/motor reinstalled, that you can place the protective cap piece OVER the chain reinstalled on the sprocket, using those holes to attach the cap!
So I got everything done and put back together and came to that part and realization and went: OH CRAP.
Guess if I:
(1) said "good enuf for guvmint work" and left the protective cap OFF, or
(2) undid everything and realigned the sprocket's top plate so could install the protective cap, or
(2) found another way to realign the Sprocket's plate and did that.
(Think carefully before answering or risk loss of milkbone!)
also: would you believe the dang water was off here yesterday? So of course, my SFL being in full force - I completed this maintenance and had no water for cleanup but that which was in standing bogs outdoors due to all our continuing rains round here. Hey, one makes do as one needs to...
Here's pic of full "take it all apart" since had new worm gear with the replacement sprkt assy to install while I was at it:
View Image
And here's what I ran into at the end of the task (what I THOUGHT was "the end"...) Note the square holes at 2oclock and 8 oclock positions on the plate...:
View Image
Now if I had REMEMBERED what this was supposed to look like, from back when I was t/s/r the dang thing back on the 4rth:
View Image
but hey, it's hard to remember details like that when ya insert a reunion in Vegas into the midst of a repair job...
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Two o'clock and Eight o'clock vs. 12 and 6 - I think you're still on VEGAS TIME ! ! !
Greg
LOL!
I like that...and sad to say, truth IS that my bodyclock sleep pattern is still hosed from that trip; and I've gotta git a grip on it before 0700 hrs Monday!
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
#2...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
the other #2...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
ya caught that eh? (LOL!)
yup, twas the second #2 option and I was done and ready to move onto the NEXT maintenance project around here...
Dang that list never seems to get any shorter!
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
seems like ya tried to do it a 2nd time twice...
once wasn't enough???Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
har har
(good morning)
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
good morn'n...
at least where yur at...
most excellent day fishing...
ya shoulda been here...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Take this opportunity to check that the torsion spring is still providing sufficient assist to the opener. (I think one of the pics showed a torsion spring and not another kind . . . .)
That spring is like a loaded gun, so be careful!!!
with the trolley disconnected from the chain so you can raise the door by hand, raise the door to halfway and let go. It should stay there or want to slightly continue to rise. If it drops, the spring is not helping the opener enough, and that was a contributing factor to the failure of the last set of gears.
at this link, scroll down to "For tortion springs only":
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infgar/infgar1b.html
Edit - yep, you have torsion springs. I just rechecked some earlier posted pics.
Edited 7/15/2007 8:31 am by jhausch
leave the torsion spring alone...
even the experienced get broken arms and mangled hands from them...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Don't worry
It's ok
I am ok.
(see: 91892.55 )
:-)
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
"with the trolley disconnected from the chain so you can raise the door by hand, raise the door to halfway and let go. It should stay there or want to slightly continue to rise."
It did; so I am smilin'.
" If it drops, the spring is not helping the opener enough, and that was a contributing factor to the failure of the last set of gears."
Good point, and thanks for posting and sharing that and the link you sent - which was good additional website info. BTW, I took the time to read ALL the paperwork aaaremotes sent with the replacement sprkt & gear assy and did all the "travel" and "force" tests etc and got it tweaked and performing better than ever, ifn I say so myself!
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Side note: a coupla years ago I was continuously working on rehabbing my Mom's garage up in WI. Replaced rotted boards here & there, reglazed windows there, installed a side "man-door" that it never had before, and managed to schedule one of my trips there to coincide with that of one of my brothers.
We then removed the old & rotted wood garage door (panels) and its side spring mounted garage door opener hardware (but left in place and re-used the GD opener itself), and installed a new garage door and rails and torsion spring. At one point, we did have to be inside, with the door down, and all our tools and safety PPE, and set the torsion on that torsion spring for the new garage door. Both of us were aware and respectful of the stored energy a spring contains and what can happen, and took all precautions. It went well, and the new door set up works fine there in my Mom's garage. But now that I have tore open and apart the internals of a GD opener here at my own place, I'm going to be looking INSIDE the one at my Mom's my next trip up there - which will be happening pretty soon...to apply my Lessons Learned and experience here, to her unit up there!
You guys here on BT know so much, and are SO helpful, why wouldn't a gal want to hang out here and learn from y'all? Never ceases to amaze me that anyone would question my, or any homeowners', membership here.
I figure I spent a total of $35 bucks on the replacement sprkt assy (including s/h) and a coupla hours of my time muddling thru the mushy instructions and DOING the repair, versus spending a couple of hours on the phone trying to find somebody around here to come and "look at it" and pay for their service call and probably woulda been told the whole unit needed replacing...for, oh, a coupla a hundred bucks more...!
I'm always grateful for the help and advice I get from this Forum and its members; and keep urging my gal pals in life to come to this site for assistance but man, they are intimidated by you guys...and head over to the "be Jane" site (GROAN!), instead.
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
"ALL the paperwork aaaremotes "You mean to tell me that someone bought something from that site based on what I said.I have posted links to that site probably several hundred times. Sometimes to point out some replacement remote or similar part.But most it has a great cross reference for programming instructions and which remote goes with which series of openers.And I have used it myself for the samething. Someone buys or sells a house and they there is a drawer full of remotes and matching them up when it not always straight foward.In one case it appears that they left remotes for one current opener and a remote for an older unit that had been replaced, but took the one for the newest unit..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
in a word: "YES"
you provided excellent advice, and URLs, and I noticed some cheaper prices for the same assy BUT when one factored the various costs of s/h, I chose to go ahead and order via aaaremotes.
BTW, they had an extra instruction insert sheet - but it wasn't labelled as such and ya just had to "figure that out"...and their instructions WERE "mushy" as in all of a sudden they just stop explicitly stating what ya do next and gloss over things, so I'd read straight thru to the end to ensure it wasn't lurking in some future step, and go, huh. ok, I'm gonna re-assemble in reverse order of my dis-assembly and just plug in the new parts as I go.
Worked out pretty well. Now I'm rather eager to encounter another GD opener with problems as I'm over the "first timer intimidation factor" and would like to put my newly acquired KSAs to further use! <g>
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Congratulations and well done.
I was not sure if the instructions for the sprocket would have info on checking other things. I'd hate to see you go through all that work and then trash the new gears in short-order.
-Internet Connection for online parts shopping and accessing BT, $50
-Sprocket and Gear Assembly for Garage Door Opener, $35
-Asking questions, taking your time, reading instructions, gathering and evaluating the advice of others, having the courage and patience to tackle problems, and realizing the pride of accomplishment, PRICELESS.
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I, too, am but a lowly DIY'er and have found this site indespensable.
RE your Mom's garage, it is amazing how heavy those old wood doors can be - esp. when waterlogged, eh? I really like the newer clopay doors with the spring you tension with a drill.
Thanks for the kind words AND the personalized rendition of a Mastercard advert! LOL!!!!
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
I sure hope you put a little bearing grease on that gear...
Yessir, indeed I did!
(It was included in the replacement sprocket assy!)
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown