I have a Genie garage door opener approximately 10 yrs old. My door opens and closes very slowly. But after it sits for a couple minutes, it stops working all together. I have re-set the circuit breaker (even though not popped) and it works again (still slow). The same thing happens; it stops working after not being used after minute or so. Does it need to be replaced or is there something I can do to repair it?

Have you greased the track and chains or screw? Are the cables on the pulleys? I have seen the same thing happen when the cables get caught in the pulley bracket, not the groove on the roller. 10 yrs. old, if used a lot, is about all you can expect.

The torsion bar or counter balance springs should also be checked. If you have a torsion bar let the professional do it. A torsion bar can break your arm is something slips.

Does anyone know why my garage door begins working again AFTER I re-set the circuit breaker? If it's the pulley, springs, or torsion bar, wouldn't the circuit breaker have NOTHING to do with it? Still confused...

Actually, if any of the above mechanical conditions are true, they could cause a binding condition which the motor strains to overcome and the increased amperage draw used by the motor could cause a CB to open.

Now, that begs the question as to why you are using the breaker at all. Has the breaker in fact tripped and you are in fact resetting the breaker or are you cycling the breaker just because it is in the same room as the garage door opener?

Donf,
I don't have any logical reason why I tried that. I just tried re-setting the breaker and it worked. The circuit isn't popped, but I shut it off and then open again.