Powered garage doors are built to last, but if you've had issues with installation and have an exposed gearbox for your door, electronic and mechanical failures can happen quickly and often. Whether you're dealing with a bad installation or normal wear and tear, a few inspection and troubleshooting techniques can help you fix the problem, or at least know which parts to order.

Rotating Gear And Sliding System

Many garage doors operating on a system of gears and rollers that grip and carefully slide the door into proper position. The rollers are generally smooth, with a specific pressure and space setting to press against the door's rails.

If the gearbox enclosure isn't properly sealed, the roller system can be clogged by dirt and debris caking up around the axis. Turning becomes harder, and the motor inside the gearbox may burn from stress.

You'll need to get machine cleaning lubricant or cleaning oil to break apart the debris. Avoid the electronic components if exposed and try to spray only the rollers and gear system. This will allow the debris to break away and keep movement free for months. Make sure to inspect the system every 4 to 6 months.

If you need to clean the oil, metal cleaning wash solutions are acceptable. Try to spray a small amount of oil directly onto the gears after cleaning to allow freedom of movement.

Wire Failure And Motor Burnout

If the system isn't moving at all and the engine seems to have failed, make sure that the garage door system is unplugged from any power source before looking further. Look inside the motor enclosure for any burned or frayed wiring, and be sure to take note of the wiring scheme. 

The wires should have a specific color code to correspond with different leads inside the motor area. These wires represent different instructions, such as opening, closing or other operations for the motor.

By recording the color scheme, replacing the wires is easier as you won't have to guess where the replacement wires need to go. If necessary, acquire solder and a soldering iron to attach the wires securely. If you're unable to solder a small enough connection or lack soldering experience, contact an electrician or repair professional.

Be sure to write down the motor model number as well. Even within the same garage door brand, there may be different motor brands depending on year or supply. With the parts recorded, contact a garage door parts supplier such as The Garage Door Co Ltd to get what you need for an efficient repair.