Our electronic garage door opener is acting up again. It's 12 years old having had an overhaul at 10. It will open the door about a foot off the floor, then stop. When you push the button again, it closes down. It's a Lift master "the professional line" 1/3 hp.

Oh, I should mention that this door is in the garage with two little boys, and ALL of their stuff, with two labs and whatever THEY drag up. So it's not the best conditions.

Thanks for the help.

It could be a track is misaligned, a simple lubrication problem, or a broken spring. Closely examine the track and the spring to see if you can spot anything that doesn't look right.

If it was mine, I would try helping the opener raise the door (don't stand directly under the door!) to see if it is having trouble in that one spot, or if the door feels extra heavy (could indicate a broken spring). If, with your help, the door opens fine, I'd try to adjust the "up" force limiter. There should be a screw adjustment somewhere on the opener unit, and you would want to increase the force in the upward direction. Should be obvious when you look at the actual unit. There will be a corresponding "down" screw, but you shouldn't need to mess with that.

Good Luck, and be careful!
WallyH

It could be a track is misaligned, a simple lubrication problem, or a broken spring. Closely examine the track and the spring to see if you can spot anything that doesn't look right.

If it was mine, I would try helping the opener raise the door (don't stand directly under the door!) to see if it is having trouble in that one spot, or if the door feels extra heavy (could indicate a broken spring). If, with your help, the door opens fine, I'd try to adjust the "up" force limiter. There should be a screw adjustment somewhere on the opener unit, and you would want to increase the force in the upward direction. Should be obvious when you look at the actual unit. There will be a corresponding "down" screw, but you shouldn't need to mess with that.

Good Luck, and be careful!
WallyH

I'll check everything visually again, and try looking for that adjustment screw. Thanks, Wally.

Wally, I had previously put the cable BACK on the pulley. It came off when I manually lifted the door. It was doing the same thing before, the 1 foot only lift. But I adjusted the "up" screw, and it works just fine now. Thank you so much.

I won't have to buy a new one. For now.