Why does my garage door opener open by itself?

So recently my garage door opener has started to open the door all on its own. I guess it started about a month ago. I've been unplugging it at night now. So far it hasn't happened when I'm not at home. As far as I know anyway. Also its only ever opened by itself. I left it sit open one day seeing if it would close, but nope. Anyway I'm assuming its the main button.


Ignore the tape residue, DB owner before had it on there cause he couldn't figure out how to properly put back on the light covers.

I'm 98% sure its not another similar remote or mine malfunctioning cause if you look at that main control, it has that lock button. When that is pushed it locks out the use of remotes. It will only open when the lock is engaged with the main button.

Only work I've had to do to it almost a year ago today was change the drive gears after this happened...


Other than that, and now this, its been working fine.

I'm asking because maybe someone has had this happen to them and maybe its something other than the main button. I figure if no one knows I'll start easy by replacing that button. Other than that I wouldn't have a clue where to go from there or if its even worth it.

Thanks in advance for anyone's help.

 

Might be as easy as a travel adjustment. I see your in PA. I few things can cause this do to weather. Frost, bottom seal not compressing, or when you changed gear's. There should be a open and close adjustment on opener to fine tune it.

Hope this help's you.

 

Neighbor with a remote using the same frequency as yours?

 

Replace the batteries in the remote in your truck. The button on the wall should just be connected via a n/c or n/o contact at the unit. If it only happens when you're home my first thought would be the one in the truck. Or aliens.

Also I have never been able to use the lock button. Doesn't seem to work properly.

 

Thanks, I've thouht about that. But I wouldn't think it would randomly open after being closed after a while. Who knows though. I may mess with that too.

I'm pretty sure I've ruled out neighbors or my remote by using that lock button. Unless that's somehow going bad too.

My soon to be 2yo son did tell me it was a ghost.

 

That's got to be it. Perform an exorcism on the garage immediately.

 

That's the "if all else fails" plan.

 

Check the pre-doc electrode splitter. I'm a certified garage door mechanic and often times the splitter goes out on these. Pretty common problem with Sears BL models like this.

 

Can you school me where that is?

 

Also what to look for or how to check it?

 

Seriously though, that opener is pretty old and having someone out to service it will cost some $$$. I'd say it’s time to replace that bad boy and get one with more HP.

 

If the switch is old it could be the contacts inside the switch are arcing. Replace the switch or pull it apart and clean/check contacts. If replacing switch there should be a serial # that you'll need to order the switch, behind one of the light shades. I use to work for Sears Parts and people couldn't find the serial #.

 

LOL. Shows you how much I know about em.

 

Thanks. I think that's the plan for now.

 

Late reply, but yeah I'm not paying anyone to come out. I'll replace the button myself and go from there. I hate to put in a whole new opener in when besides this, works fine. House is gonna be up for sale again soon, so I want it working properly. If not I'll tell the potential buyer and knock a couple hundred off for their troubles.

 

This sounds crazy, but we just bought an adjustable bed a few weeks ago and the remote for it was opening my neighbors garage door. I had to change the jumper settings in it to change the frequency.

It said right on the box they had been known to do it, so i went outside and pushed all the buttons. When i pressed the massage button, I could control his garage door up and down. I just moved a jumper and all was fine.

I dont think this is your problem, but its a possibility.

 

LOL. That's pretty funny though.

It's remaining unplugged until I can get around to changing out that main control. Look pretty inexpensive so that's my start.

 

Did you try removing the batteries from all the controllers and disconnecting the wall button and see if the door still opens? If it still opens after that, you can rule out the controllers.

 

No. But I'm pretty sure I've ruled out the controllers. With the use of that lock button I mentioned in the OP. Plus its a random thing. Who knows when or if it would happen again.