Coast Garage Door
835 Ave. S Unit A
Seaside, Oregon 97138
TOLL FREE: 888-738-3165
LOCAL: 503-738-3165
LONG BEACH PENINSULA: 360-642-1398
Coast Garage Door Co. - Reviews on Home Advisor

Troubleshooting Garage Door Openers

What's the average lifespan of a garage door opener?

Average lifespan of 8 - 10 years can be expected, although there are operators out there which last as little as 5 years yet as long as 25 years (or more!). If your operator is getting old, consider replacing it with an up-to-date machine with all the latest safety features. New openers now offer upgrades such as a battery backup system in case of a power outage, and remote accessories that can tell you if your garage door has been left open, or opened while you are away.

Opener Does Not Work

Make sure power cord is plugged into a properly grounded 3-prong 120 volt outlet. Plug in a drill or other electrical tool to test for power.

  • If opener has been cycled several times, the motor overload protector may be activated. Wait approximately 10 minutes for the motor to cool and try again.
  • If a four-function Wall Console is being used, make sure the Vacation Switch is in the "UNLOCKED" position. The power unit cannot be activated nor programmed with the Vacation Switch in the "LOCKED" position.
  • If door is severely out of balance, the opener may not be able to exert enough force to move it. Make sure all locks are removed. Pull the Emergency Disconnect Cord to release the door from the opener. Check to see if the open will operate if not connected to the door. If opener now operates, review "Door Balance Test" in your owner's manual.

My garage door opener is smoking and won't open. What's wrong with it?

You most likely have a burned drive belt, although there is the possibility of having a burned circuit board or capacitor. All are easily replaced.

I hear a hum coming from the garage door opener and it won't open. What is the problem?!?

A humming operator is usually the outcome of a burned out capacitor.

Lights Flash on Opener.

This may be caused by activating the obstruction system that is controlled by the open or close force adjustment on the rear of the opener. If it requires more force to move the door than the opener can supply, the lights on the opener will blink. A common cause is a poorly operating door or an obstruction. Review "Door Balance Test" and "Open and Close Force Adjustments" in the manual.

  • If the beam sensor is not aligned or working correctly, the door can only be closed by holding the wall-mounted pushbutton. The transmitter cannot be used to close the door. The light on the opener will flash and the door will reverse and open if the pushbutton is not held until the door is fully closed.
  • If something obstructs the door while closing, it will reverse and open - lights will flash. If something obstructs the door while opening, it will stop.

Why won't my remote (transmitter) work unless I'm next to the door?

A faulty receiver. - Call Coast Garage Door for a replacement receiver that you can or we can install.

  • The wire (antenna) extending from your receiver may not be pulled out and down in order to receive the RF (Radio Frequency) being sent by your transmitter. Try moving or coiling the antenna wire on the opener.
  • The battery in your transmitter may be dead or weak. Replace the battery with the same type. Most batteries can be purchased at Coast Garage Door or at most stores.
  • CB radios, computer equipment, powerful communication signals, and other door openers may cause undesirable interference and shorten radio range.

Why does my garage door open by itself? (Phantom opening)

You may have a bad circuit board - Call Coast Garage Door to replace it.

  • Your opener may have a factory set code and it may be the same as one of your neighbors. If you don't know how to re-program your opener/transmitter please contact us or check your owner's manual.
  • Carefully check the wiring to the pushbutton and electric key switch (if used). An intermittent "short" caused by a staple or frayed wire may be the problem.
  • Check all of your remotes to be sure one does not have a button stuck down or pushed down by another object.

Door starts down and then reverses to the open position.

Misaligned, dirty or defective photo eyes - Align, clean or replace photo eyes as needed.

  • Obstruction or bend in track - visually look at track and remove any obstruction, if bent replace track.
  • Broken or kinked cable - Call Coast Garage Door to replace cables.
  • Dry or worn rollers, lubricate or replace as necessary.
  • Force setting may need to be adjusted for more force going down.

Door Closes - Then Opens When Reaching the Floor.

Is a rake handle, garden hose, snow, ice, etc. obstructing the door? Remove the obstruction then try closing the door again.

  • Due to climatic conditions many concrete floors will heave or sink. Turn the (small black) close travel adjustment 1/4 turn opposite the direction of the arrow on the cover, then review the "Close Position" and "Entrapment Test" instructions in the manual.

I have two transmitters (remote controls) for the same door and one of them stopped working; I've replaced the battery and it still isn't working, what is the problem?

Your transmitter code needs to be reset, please refer to your owner's manual or contact us.

  • Your transmitter needs to be replaced. We carry all major brands here at Coast Garage Door, you can stop by our office or we can send you one via USPS.

The light bulb in my operator burns out every couple months. What can I do to fix it?

Replace with a “Rough Service” light bulb resistant to vibration. We sell them here or you can find one at your local hardware store.

My garage door operator is over 10 years old. Can someone use a code-grabbing device to open my door when I am not home?

Yes. Older openers use switches in either the “on” or “off” position. This type of RF (radio frequency) stays the same; therefore anyone with a code-grabbing device can steal your code and use it anytime. Newer openers have the technology that uses a combination of over 4.3 billion possible combinations…making it impossible for someone to steal the code. We sell brand new Liftmaster Operators with this new technology.

Excessive Tube Bow

Check to see that the power head is securely mounted and the door operates freely. Review "Door Balance Tests: in the manual. Is something obstruction the door?

  • Review the "Close Position" and "Entrapment Test" instructions in the manual.

Light Stays On.

The light time delay on the opener will keep the light on for approximately 4-1/2 minutes after the system has be activated, then will turn the light off automatically. If the photo sensor beam is broken (walking in and out of the garage while door open) it will reset every time it is broken.

  • If the opener has a worklight switch (which is supplied only with a four-function wall console), slide the switch to "OFF" position.
  • If the opener has a pedestrian switch (which is supplied only with a four-function wall console), the light will stay on for 4-1/2 minutes after the pedestrian door has been opened.

OR CCB# 153495
WA REG# COASTGD942PU
Home Depot Certified
Home Depot Installer
IDA IDEA NWDOA OHBA
Currently Servicing: Long Beach Peninsula & Naselle - Knappa & Astoria to Tillamook and East up Highway 26 to Elsy.