Home improvement topicsBrowse Categories:Full list »LiftMaster Garage Door Opener Won’t Close DoorI’ve been a huge fan of LiftMaster Garage Door Openers for years. I like them so much because they work very well and last a long time. So this winter when I started having trouble with my door opener I was a bit puzzled and frustrated. However, as you’ll learn below the solution to this problem was extremely easy to fix and something you should know for the future.The Problem: The door would always open fine but then would have trouble closing. Sometimes it would close part way before stopping and reversing and other times it wouldn’t open at all. Another clue to the mystery was if you held the wall switch the door would completely close. However, the remote would not be able to close the door even if you held the button.The Solution: Adjusting the Protector System® sensors fixed my problem and the door now operates correctly.The Protector System® Safety Reversing SensorsYears ago garage door openers were required to utilize safety sensors to prevent doors from closing on small children.
LiftMaster uses the Protector System® which projects an invisible light beam across the door opening and automatically opens the door if something/someone crosses it’s path.So at first I didn’t think the Protector System® was to blame. Each time the door was having trouble I’d get out of my truck and check to be sure the path between the sensors was all clear. Each time I’d discover nothing in the way so I figured the sensors were fine.Adjusting Reversing SensorsIn order for the safety reversing sensors to work properly they must be aligned correctly. One of the sensors is a sending unit (shoots the light out) and the other is a receiver which ‘catches’ the light beam. The following comes from the User’s manual:ALIGNING THE SAFETY REVERSING SENSORS Plug in the opener. The indicator lights in both the sending and receiving eyes will glow steadily if wiring connections and alignment are correct.The sending eye amber indicator light will glow regardless of alignment or obstruction.
If the green indicator light in the receiving eye is off, dim, or flickering (and the invisible light beam path is not obstructed), alignment is required. Loosen the sending eye wing nut and readjust, aiming directly at the receiving eye. Loosen the receiving eye wing nut and adjust sensor until it receives the sender’s beam. When the green indicator light glows steadily, tighten the wing nut.So there you have it. If your garage door opens ok but won’t close then it’s possible the safety reversing sensors are not correctly aligned. Don’t just assume that if the path is clear that the sensors are ok. This problem bugged me for several months. Hopefully after you read this you won’t have the same problem in the future. About the authorNot what you're looking for? Search for more articles here. Enter keywords like, 'insulation' or 'kitchens' etc to find your topic.25 Comments Liftmaster 3255 Garage Door Opener Model No: Liftmaster 3255 7' or 8' Rail 78LM Push Button Station
3rd Party (what is this?) The Liftmaster model 3255 is Chamberlain Liftmaster's standard chain drive garage door opener. It is part of the Contractor series of garage door openers and is the best choice for value and reliability. This model supports the protector system which can reverse the garage door should anything come across the path of the garage door. This motor can also automatically detect a break in the spring to keep the door from falling. The Liftmaster 3255 also has a emergency release handle which allows you to open or close your door in case of a power failure. This opener includes a standard 7 foot or 8 foot rail, 78LM push button station, and a 371LM garage door remote. This opener uses Liftmasters newest 315 MHz Security+ System, ensuring that your garage is protected from code-grabbing thieves and radio interference. The Liftmaster 3255 emits 100 watts of light. The Liftmaster 3255 comes in several configurations. All orders placed through TD Supplies will come with Liftmaster's newest, highest security Security+ 315 MHz ERT format.
This format supports 371LM remotes and their equivalent. However, if this opener was purchased before 2005 or from a different seller, it may support a different type of remote. The most reliable way to determine compatability is to find the square "learn button" on the back of the opener. If you have a purple learn button (Security Plus ERT series): 1 Button - Liftmaster 371LM 2 Button - Liftmaster 372LM 3 Button – Liftmaster 373LM Wireless Keypad – Liftmaster 377LM If you have a red learn button (security plus series): 1 Button - Liftmaster 971LM 2 Button - Liftmaster 972LM 3 Button – Liftmaster 973LM Wireless Keypad – Liftmaster 976LM If you have a green learn button (Rolling Code series): 1 Button - Liftmaster 81LM
2 Button - Liftmaster 82LM 3 Button – Liftmaster 83LM Wireless Keypad – Liftmaster 66LM This opener is also compatable with the 41C4220A Gear and Sprocket kit. Our other popular garage door openers include: Liftmaster 3255 1/2 HP Chain Drive openerLiftmaster 3800 Jackshaft openerLiftmaster 3280 1/2 HP Belt Drive opener Liftmaster 3850 Belt Drive opener We keep a large stock of all major brands of garage and gate products from all of the leading manufacturers. and we will try our best to special order it for you. If you have questions about how to find the correct garage transmitter or part, we have a helpful Frequently Asked Question's page as well as free technical support on all products that we carry. We also have a growing collection of articles with safety information, helpful guides, and product information available in our Helpful Articles Section.Why is My Garage Door Opening by Itself?
Q: How to stop what garage-door manufacturers call "phantom operation" Q: One morning after a thunderstorm, I noticed that our garage door was open. I know I'd closed it the night before. Now the door periodically opens all by itself. What can I do to prevent this from happening? —Aberdeen Lepley, Selinsgrove, PA A: I talked to some garage-door manufacturers about this problem, which they call "phantom operation," and they tell me that a power surge can damage the electronics inside the transmitter. So maybe lightning really did open your door. But there could be other causes, as well. If you live near a military base, openers can be triggered by equipment operating on the same frequency. Also, it's fairly common for a remote opener to be accidentally activated when left in a kitchen "junk drawer." The chances are low that a neighbor with a similar opener could operate yours. I'm told that older transmitters, with their nine manual "dip" switches, have more than 14,000 possible code combinations for each opener.