Anyone know anything about automatic garage doors?

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I've got a Hormann garage door fitted up to their automatic opening equipment and very recently it won't always go all the way down, instead getting 75% of the way down and pinging back up. The previous owner of the house fitted it.

It's only a very recent fault and doesn't happen all the time, but perhaps 65% of the time. I've checked the runners for debris etc and they're fine, oiled the mechanisms of the door itself, though not the belt system etc. If you very gently push on the door just prior to when it pings back up it always closes.

I rang Hormann & was told they don't have a technical dept for the public, you need to call a local distributor, and the response I got and I kid you not was, 'dunno why they do that mate'.......

So, any suggestions of additional things to check?

Many thanks in advance.

Cheers

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NiceCupOfTea said:

Sound like something is causing it to have to work harder - are the runners warped at all from the cold? Have you stood inside and watched what's happening as it closes? Have you disengaged the motor and pulled it down manually to see if you can feel a difference at that point?

Thanks for the response, appreciated.

Agreed, it's as though something is 'blocking' it. I've watched inside and really monitored it just at the point it pings back up, but I can't see anything at all.

Good point re warping in the cold, it's only since we've had this cold spell of the past month.

Bl**dy ood idea re disengaging and doing manually, cheers will try this and let you know the outcome, many thanks for the suggestions.

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eliot said:

has it got a grey plastic box attached to the door that passes another grey lump of plastic on the runner(a magnet) ?
My door has this, it is the safety edge detector - if it hits something or is faulty, door will reverse a few inches.

Not sure, I shall take a look in the morning and possibly a picture too - many thanks for the response, much appreciated.

Cheers

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Buffalo said:

my auto door occasionally gives hassle. A couple of tricks before you try re-adjusting the mechanism and after you've checked for blocked runners, etc. Close the door using switch but hold switch down fully until the door closes all the way, and/ or just 'help' it down with a hand on the back of it.

Agreed it is often when it is very cold that this issue occurs. Could be ice in chain, etc, all sorts really but 9/10 these two solutions sort my door out. and works well for another good period. Couldn't tell you the make of it though, so yours may vary.

Edited by Buffalo on Tuesday 26th March 02:06

Thanks for the reply. I have been 'helping' it down, with the lightest of touch and that always works, but often it reverts to form! I've not tried the button method you mention, are you referring to the button on the remote or the unit itself?

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bridgdav said:

Has it got a light beam sensor, to ensure operation or non-operation if the beam is broken..?

Mine plays up at certain times of the year due to sunlight weakening the receiver sensor.
Also had an issue with reflection off the door as it lowered, went back up after closing to a certain point.
In he end, I put a shroud around the emitter and receiver.

My 2P worth.s

Thanks for the response, I wondered that originally but can't see anything and I don't think it's that complex. I think it pings back up if it senses something's in the way. Originally I wondered if it was to do with the car, it was on axle stands whilst I did some repairs thus higher than normal, but now it's the other way round it's still doing it!

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zed4 said:

Speak to this man: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=0...

He's the expert on them

Many thanks, appreciated, I shall contact him. After the ridiculous response from my local Hormann dealer I'm at a loss!

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SVS said:

Don't Hormann have something like a 10-year guarantee??? Or is it an older door?

Interesting, it's certainly less than ten as the house is only eight years old

The door is original from the builder, the remote added later I suspect by the PO of the house, but it is a Hormann specific kit.

Any idea where you heard/saw re the 10 year warranty? When I've spoken to them in the past there's been no mention, but why would they! That's the issue, all they want to do is send someone out, when I suspect from previous experience with other remote doors it's something simple!

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colin2296fs said:

my hormann supramatic has an 8 segment display for fault codes and such, does your's have one and what does it say?

It has a display on the unit itself hanging from the garage but it usually changes as it moves, nothing new from memory but I shall run the unit and report back - thanks for the offer, much appreciated.