5-6 year old Genie garage door opener broken?

Question

Motor runs fine when the door is disengaged from the link, but makes a loud ratcheting sound and will not move the door when engaged. Can anyone please help. Garage door opener repairs are soooo expensive!! Have a handyman that lives here who's good, he's just never worked on these before... thanks ahead of time!!

Answer 1

First pull the release cord and try to open and close the door by hand. If you are unable to lift the door then the spring(s) probably need to be replaced. If you are able to lift the door with little effort then the garage door opener may need to be repaired. A Genie will last more than 5-6 years contrary to what another person said here. If the garage door opener is a screw drive type then the most common repair is that the carriage/trolley is stripped and needs to be replaced. Here's what the part looks like http://www.aaaremotes.com/recaasforgee1.html . If you replace the carriage buy some Genie grease while your at it and grease the entire screw. Of course it could be something else. It's impossible to diagnose over the internet.

Answer 2

Look at your springs and see if you can determine that the problem is there. I have replaced a couple, it's easy. Just take off the broken one and take to the store to get the exact right one.

Chamberlain is best when you do replace this genie. But you ought to get a few more years out of this one.

Answer 3

sounds like a worm drive....u best bet is to replace the opener..Genie's wear out most the time in this time frame.....go with a chamberlin opener or a Overhead....use a chain drive..u can do this with a little help and change one out in about 45 mins...

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 4

The spring needs to be replaced.

Answer 5

get a new one cheapskate