How to Replace Garage Door Electronics

Automatic garage door openers represent significant conveniences for homeowners who have them installed, allowing them to open their garage doors automatically without needing to exit their vehicles and lift them manually. However, automatic garage door openers rely on electronic systems that sometimes fail. Most of a garage door's electronic components, such as the lighting, wiring and logic board, are installed in the motor unit, which hangs from the garage ceiling. Accessing the motor unit's electronics will allow you to replace faulty electronics with replacement parts that you buy or receive from the manufacturer free under warranty.

Ladder
Socket set and driver
Adjustable wrench
Screwdriver
Wire cutters
Plastic wire connecters

Instructions

- 1
  Clear out the space in your garage below the garage door's motor unit. Close the garage door manually, or leave it in the closed position if it's already shut. Set up a ladder that will allow you to reach the motor unit safely.
- 2
  Unplug the garage door opener's motor unit from the ceiling or wall outlet where it receives power.
- 3
  Remove the bolts that attach the chain spreader to the garage door motor unit, using counterclockwise turns of a socket and driver. Set the spreader and its bolts aside.
- 4
  Pull the chain away from the motor unit and drape it over the rail that connects the motor unit to the garage door itself.
- 5
  Remove the bolts that attach the motor unit to the rail. Grasp each nut with an adjustable wrench and turn a socket counterclockwise to remove each bolt. Place the nuts and bolts aside.
- 6
  Remove the mounting bolts that attach the motor unit to the overhead brackets, which are also attached to the garage ceiling joists. Keep your free hand under the motor to guide it to the ladder when it detaches from the brackets.
- 7
  Take the garage door motor unit to a clean, safe space such as a work bench or a sheet spread out on the garage floor.
- 8
  Remove the screws that hold the motor unit's case on with a screwdriver. Access the lighting compartment and change any dead lightbulbs, if necessary.
- 9
  Remove additional screws, as directed by the garage door opener's owner's manual, to access the logic board. Unscrew or unclip the logic board to remove it. Install a replacement logic board by reversing the procedure.
- 10
  Check for any damaged wiring inside the garage door opener. Cut and strip any frayed or loose wires with a pair of wire cutters. Twist the wires together and cover them with plastic wire covers to prevent short circuits.
- 11
  Reassemble the motor unit lighting compartment and cover, reversing the procedure you used to open it. Reinstall it in your garage using the original installation instructions and the hardware you saved when you removed it. Plug the garage door opener in to test the new electronics.

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