Have you ever seen a garage door opener smoking? This can be a shocking experience if you’ve never seen this happen before. Surprisingly, openers can smoke under specific conditions. Here is an overview of the common causes of garage door openers smoking and what you should do if it ever happens to you. 

Why Your Garage Door Opener is Smoking and How to Respond

How Can You Determine the Cause?

Narrowing down the cause behind a smoking opener is actually pretty easy. In addition to electrical malfunctions caused by external damage, many cases are a result of a blown capacitor. This component of the opener is a tubular fuse that helps start and stop the garage door motor. The inside of the capacitor is made of paper and chemicals, and if the capacitor’s seal is damaged, the paper could heat up and burn. If this happens, you should take care of it right away.

What Next Steps Should You Take?

Thankfully, repairing a blown capacitor isn’t expensive, and most garage door technicians will be able to handle it. If they can’t repair it, they will generally fix your opener by replacing the damaged capacitor with a new one. Keep in mind, not all blown capacitors smoke. If you hear a humming or clicking sound coming from your opener, have a technician inspect the capacitor. 

Is your garage door opener smoking? Don't hesitate to get in touch with Garage Door Systems Inc, located in La Crosse County, WI. They handle everything from garage door opener repairs to garage door installation and maintenance, and they are committed to always getting the job done right. They also carry an extensive inventory of custom overhead doors to meet your needs. Learn more about their services online, and call them at (608) 781-5881 to schedule a consultation today.