genie screw drive stopped working

[jimlin]

Screw Drive openers were installed approx 8 years ago. New construction, so all was new.

This winter I had to increase the force control on both openers (more so on one in particular. (two car garage with two single car doors). No torsion bars, these doors use extension springs. I was thinking it might have something to do with the temperatures (NE winter), humidity (or lack thereof).

However, just last week as my wife had pushed the button to close the door, it went down about 1/3 of the way and stopped. Now all I get is a buzz/hum when I push the button. No sound of anything turning at all. I've pulled the cord to disconnect the carriage assembly from the screw so I can manually lift/lower the door. I did notice that it may be a bit out of balance, as the door wants to go down as I try to let go when it's 3' up, 4' up... not until it's over 5' raised does it stay in place.

I ordered a new transformer after reading some places that the hum/buzz indicates it could be the transformer. Got a new coupler too. Haven't received them yet. However, I'm afraid it's something to do with the motor.

EDIT: Got the transformer today. Didn't realize it was fastened by rivets. How can I remove the rivets in a way to use the existing holes to install the new transformer??

Would the balance as I described it be enough to trigger some kind of kill switch in the opener so as not to burn it out?

[Door_Tech]

Are they Genie Excelerators???

If so I have found that the best thing to do is to go in your backyard and dig a hole and throw those openers in there and bury them. They are hands down the worst openers I have come across

[jimlin]

its a Genie ScrewDrive IS 550/A

the model is a Genie ScrewDrive IS 550/A

Got a garage door guy coming to take a look. His guess before seeing anything is that the springs were loosing tension, making the motor work harder to the point that it burnt out. Hoping that's not the case, but the door is definitely out of adjustment (have to raise it up to almost 6 ft before it will sit still w/o wanting to close).

This guy carries liftmasters that see to run quick a few bucks (300-400). Got the feeling he doesn't care for Genie in general, and perhaps that chain is better than the screw? But the in-law apt is above the garage, so noise is an issue.

He just left. I had him adjust both doors. He didn't think the springs were too bad, but the adjustment definitely made a big difference in that the doors stay put a couple feet off the ground, instead of at 5-6 ft. He tried the capacitor but that made no diff. The screw DID turn for a second and stopped. Then back to the buzz. Either way, the doors needed to be balanced, so if I replace the genie or manage to fix it, that will help. I still need to try replacing the transformer on the genie as I've read the buzz/hum can be an indicator that the transformer is bad. The tech was surprised to see a transformer separate from the board, but there it was.

[jimlin]

I removed the track, checked the coupler (which is fine, not stripped), wiped down the track and applied a tube and a half of the Genie lube specific for the screw drive. I replaced the transformer, tried the power, it turned for a second and stopped again. So I reconnected the original transformer again. With the screw removed from the motor, I tried it, and it wouldn't turn then either. I had thought maybe it was the resistance from the screw itself, but even with out that connected to the motor, it wouldn't turn. So it appears the issue is in fact the motor itself (or something keeping it from turning).

The weird thing is the once today it did start to turn a bit before stopping again.

[gdoorpro]

just to be sure, check that the limit switches are not stuck in a closed position. If this is the case it will not move.

Also, when you tried to turn the screw drive disconnected from the operator, did you have the carriage released from the door, that would have made it difficult to turn.