Even though these products are usually of high quality, they need repair from time to time. To find out what’s wrong with your door opener, use the Craftsman garage door troubleshooting charts below. This information can be a valuable addition to the Craftsman garage door opener manual. As soon as you understand the problem, you will be able to decide whether you can make Craftsman garage door repair by yourself.
315 SERIES 139.53939D is a residential garage door opener. The model is powered by a 1/2 HP motor. The garage door opener uses a belt drive to move the door, so it is more attractive for homeowners who value comparatively noiseless operation. The remote controls are rolling code on 315 MHz.
| Problems | Solutions |
| My door will not close and the light bulbs blink on my motor unit: | The safety reversing sensor must be connected and aligned correctly before the garage door opener will move in the down direction. • Verify the safety reversing sensors are properly installed, aligned and free of any obstructions. • Check diagnostic LED for flashes on the motor unit |
| My remotes will not activate the door: | • Verify your Motion Detecting Control Console does not display “Lock Mode.” If it does, deactivate the Lock Mode following the instructions for Using the Motion Detecting Control Console. • Reprogram remotes following the programming instructions. • If remote will still not activate your door, check diagnostic LED for flashes on motor unit |
| My door reverses for no apparent reason: | Repeat safety reverse test after adjustments to force or travel limits. The need for occasional adjustment for the force and limit settings is normal. Weather conditions in particular can affect door travel. • Manually check door for balance or any binding problems. |
| My door reverses for no apparent reason after fully closing and touching the floor: | Repeat safety reverse test after adjustments to force or travel limits. The need for occasional adjustment for the force and limit settings is normal. Weather conditions in particular can affect door travel. |
| My lights will not turn off when door is open: | • The garage door opener is equipped with a security light feature. This feature activates the light on when the safety reversing sensor beam has been obstructed. |
| My motor unit hums briefly: | • First verify that the trolley is against the stop bolt. • Release the door from the opener by pulling the Emergency Release Rope. • Manually bring the door to a closed position. • Loosen the belt by adjusting the outer nut 4 to 5 turns. This relieves the tension. • Run the motor unit from the remote control or control console. The trolley should travel towards the door and stop. If the trolley re-engages with the door, pull the Emergency Release Rope to disengage. • Decrease the UP travel. • Re-Tighten the outer nut until the trolley spring is approximately 1-1/4" (3.18 cm) in length. • If the trolley does not move away from the bolt, repeat the steps above. |
| Battery status LED is not lit properly: | • Check battery connections. |
| Problems | Cause |
| 1 FLASH Safety reversing sensors wire open (broken or disconnected). OR 2 FLASHSafety reversing sensors wire shorted or black/white wire reversed. | Symptom: One or both of the Indicator lights on the safety reversing sensors do not glow steady. • Inspect sensor wires for a short (staple in wire), correct wiring polarity (black/white wires reversed), broken or disconnected wires, replace/attach as needed. • Disconnect all wires from back of motor unit. • Remove sensors from brackets and shorten sensor wires to 1 -2 ft (30-60 cm) from back each of sensor. • Reattach sending eye to motor unit using shortened wires. If sending eye indicator light glows steadily, attach the receiving eye. • Align sensors, if the indicator lights glow replace the wires for the sensors. If the sensor indicator lights do not light, replace the safety reversing sensors. |
| 3 FLASH Control console or wire shorted. | Symptom: LED is not lit on control console. • Inspect control console/wires for a short (staple in wire), replace as needed. • Disconnect wires at control console, touch wires together. If motor unit activates, replace control console. • If motor unit does not activate, disconnect control console wires from motor unit. Momentarily short across red and white terminals with jumper wire. If motor unit activates, replace control console wires. |
| 4 FLASH Safety reversing sensors slightly misaligned (dim or flashing LED). | Symptom: Sending indicator light glows steadily, receiving indicator light is dim or flashing.dim or flashing. • Realign receiving eye sensor, clean lens and secure brackets. • Verify door track is firmly secured to wall and does not move. |
| 5 FLASH Possible RPM sensor failure. Unplug to reset. | Symptom: RPM Sensor = Short travel 6-8" (15-20 cm). • Unplug unit to reset. Try to operate motor unit, check diagnostic code. • If it is still flashing 5 times and motor unit moves 6-8" (15-20 cm), replace RPM sensor. • If motor unit doesn’t operate, motor unit is overheated. Wait 30 minutes and retry. If motor unit still will not operate replace logic board. |
One of the Craftsman’s most popular models, the 139.53663SRT garage door opener was created exclusively for residential use. It utilizes a 1/2 HP motor, which is the most common type for residential garage door openers. If the device is experiencing an issue, check the chart below for useful troubleshooting tips.
| Situation | Probable Cause & Solution |
| The opener doesn't operate from either the door control or the remote control: | 1. Does the opener have electric power? Plug a lamp into the outlet. If it doesn't light, check the fiise box or the circuit breaker. (Some outlets are controlled by a wall switch.) 2. Have you disabled all door locks? 3. Is there a build-up of ice or snow under the door? The door may be frozen to the ground. Remove any restriction. 4. The garage door spring may be broken. Have it replaced. 5. Repeated operation may have tripped the overload protector in the motor. Wait 15 minutes. Try again. |
| Opener operates from the remote control\but not from the door control: | 1. Is the door control push bar lit? If not, Remove the bell w ire from the opener terminal screws. Short the red and white terminals by touching both terminals at the same time with a piece of w ire. If the opener runs, check for a faulty wire connection at the door control, a short under the staples, or a broken wire. 2. Are the wiring connections correct? |
| The door operates from the door control, but not from the remote control: | 1. Is any door push button flashing? If your model has the Lock feature, make sure it is off. 2. Your opener needs to re-learn a remote control code. 3. Does the batten, test light glow when the remote control push button is pressed? If not, replace the battery. 4. Program the receiver to match the remote control code. 5. Repeat the receiver programming procedure with all remote controls. |
| The remote control has short range: | 1. Check the battery test light. If the light is dim, replace the battery. 2. Change the location of the remote control in your car. 3. Check to be sure the antenna on the right side panel of opener extends fully. 4. Some installations may have shorter range due to a metal door, foil backed insulation, or metal garage siding. (Antenna Extender Kit 41A3504) |
| Opener noise is disturbing in living quarters of home: | If operational noise is a problem because of proximity of the opener to the living quarters, the Vibration Isolator Kit 41A3263 can be installed. This kit was designed to minimize vibration to the house and is easy to install. |
| The garage door opens and closes by itself: | 1. Be sure that all remote control push buttons and battery indicator lights are off. 2. Remove the bell w ire from the door control terminals and operate from the remote control only. If this solves the problem, the door control is faulty (replace), or there is an intermittent short on the wire between the door control and the opener. 3. Clear memory and reprogram all remote controls. |
| The door doesn't open completely: | 1. Is something obstructing the door? Remove the obstruction or repair the door. 2. Ii'the door has been working properly but now doesn't open all the way, increase the up force. 3. If door opens at least 5 feet, the travel limits may need to be increased. One turn equals 2 inches of travel. Repeat the safety reverse test after the adjustment is complete. |
| The door stops hut doesn't close completely: | Review the travel limits adjustment procedures Repeat the safety reverse test after any adjustment of door arm length, close force or down limit. |
| The door opens but won't close: | 1. If the opener lights blink, check the safety reversing sensor. 2. If the opener lights do not blink and it is a new installation, check the down force. For an existing installation Repeat the safety reverse test after the adjustment is complete. |
| The door reverses for no apparent reason and opener lights don't blink: | 1. Is something obstructing the door? Pull the emergency release handle. Operate the door manually. If it is unbalanced or binding, call for professional garage door service. 2. Clear any ice or snow from the garage floor area where the door closes. 3. Review the force adjustment procedures 4. If door reverses in the fully closed position, decrease the travel limits. Repeat the safety reverse test after adjustments to force or travel limits. The need for occasional adjustment of the force and limit settings is normal. Weather conditions in particular can affect door travel |
| The door reverses for no apparent reason and opener lights don't blink: | 1. Is something obstructing the door? Pull the emergency release handle. Operate the door manually. If it is unbalanced or binding, call for professional garage door service. 2. Clear any ice or snow from the garage floor area where the door closes. 3. Review the force adjustment procedures on. 4. If door reverses in the fully closed position, decrease the travel limits. Repeat the safety reverse test after adjustments to force or travel limits. The need for occasional adjustment of the force and limit settings is normal. Weather conditions in particular can affect |
| The door reverses for no apparent reason and opener lights blink for 5 seconds after reversing: | Check the safety reversing sensor. Remove any obstruction or align the receiving eye. |
| The opener lights... | don't turn on: Replace the light bulb(s) (100 watts maximum). Use a standard neck garage door opener bulb if regular bulb bums out. don't turn off: Is the Light feature on? Turn it off. |
| The opener strains or maximum force is needed to operate door: | The door may be out of balance or the springs are broken. Close the door and use the emergency release handle to disconnect the trolley. Open and close the door manually. A properly balanced door will stay in any point of travel while being supported entirely by its springs. If it does not, disconnect the opener and call for professional garage door service. Do not increase the force to operate the opener. |
| The opener motor hums briefly, then won't work: | 1. The garage door springs are broken. 2. If the problem occurs on the first operation of the opener, door may be locked. Disable the door lock. Repeat the safety reverse test after the adjustment is complete. |
| The opener won't operate due to power failure: | 1. Use the emergency release handle to disconnect the trolley. The door can be opened and closed manually. When power is restored, press the Door Control push button and trolley will automatically reconnect (unless trolley is in lockout position.) 2. The Emergency Key Release accessory (for use on garages with no service door) disconnects the trolley from outside the garage in case of power failure. |
Craftsman 139.30437 is a residential garage door opener. It has a timer-to-close feature, which allows you to set the opener to automatically move your door down after a specified period of time. This model also utilizes the AssureLink Connectivity feature.
| Up | Down | Symptom | Cause | Resolution | |
| Code | Arrow | Arrow | |||
| 1―1 | 1 Flash | 1 Flash | The garage door opener will not close and the light(s) will flash | Safety sensors are not installed, connected, or wires may be cut | Inspect sensor wires for a disconnected or cut wire{s). If the sending sensor with the amber LED is NOT lit, check the wire and connections for that sensor. If sending sensor LED is lit, check the wire connections leading to the receiving sensor (green LED). Reattach wire or replace wire (22 gauge wire) as needed. If pre-wired home, check the splices. Close the garage door using the remote control or the door control. |
| 1―2 | 1 Flash | 2 Flashes | Safety sensor wire shorted or reversed | Inspect sensor wire for incorrect wiring or a pinched wire. If the sending sensor (amber LED) is not lit, check the wire leading to and from that sensor. Check staple points. If sending sensor LED is lit, check the wire leading to the receiving sensor (green LED). Reattach wire or replace wire (22 gauge wire) as needed. If pre-wired home, check the splices. Close the garage door using the remote control or the door control. | |
| 1―3 | 1 Flash | 3 Flashes | Wall mounted door control will not function | The wires for the door control are shorted or the door control is faulty | Inspect door control wires for a short (staple in wire), replace wire (22 gauge wire) as needed. After installing new door control wires, if door control still does not operate garage door opener, replace the door control. |
| 1―4 | 1 Flash | 4 Flashes | The garage door opener will not close the door and the light(s) flash | Misaligned or obstructed safety sensors | Realign the receiving sensor (green LED) by ensuring the LED is steady and not flickering. A flicker of the safety sensor LED indicates a misalignment. Make sure nothing is hanging or mounted on the door interrupting the sensor’s path while closing. Close the garage door using the remote control or the door control. |
| The garage door opener clicks but no movement | Bad logic board | Replace the logic board. | |||
| 1―5 | 1 Flash | 5 Flashes | The opener runs approximately 6-8' and stops and/or reverses | Commun. error to travel module | Disconnect all power, remove cover, and locate the travel module. Ensure the wires for travel module are connected, if wires are connected, then replace the travel module. |
| 3―3 | 3 Flashes | 3 Flashes | The garage door opener is idle and the battery LED is constantly flashing green | Batten/ LED flashing Green, charging circuit stops and starts to drain causing battery charging status. | Replace the logic board. |
| 4―1 | 4 Flashes | 1 Flash | Door is closing, stops and reverses | Obstruction, binding or sticking door | If your door is binding or sticking, contact a trained door systems technician. If your door is okay, reprogram the travel. If you get this error code after testing the safety reversal system, close the door to reset the code. |
| 4―2 | 4 Flashes | 2 Flashes | The door stops while opening for no apparent reason | Manually open and close the door. Check for binding or obstructions. For further information | |
| 4―3 | 4 Flashes | 3 Flashes | The door reverses for no apparent reason or after touching the floor | If your door is binding or sticking, contact a trained door systems technician. If your door is okay, reprogram the travel, | |
| 4―4 | 4 Flashes | 4 Flashes | My door reverses for no apparent reason or after touching the floor | Manually open and close the door. Check for binding or obstructions. For further information | |
| 4―5 | 4 Flashes | 5 Flashes | The opener runs approximately 6-8’ and stops and/or reverses | Commun. error to travel module | Disconnect all power, remove cover, and locate the travel module. Ensure the wires for travel module are connected, if wires are connected, then replace the travel module. |
| 4―6 | 4 Flashes | 6 Flashes | The door reverses for no apparent reason while traveling down | Safety sensors were temporarily obstructed or misaligned | Review Diagnostic Codes 1-1.1-2, and 1-4 correct as necessary. If problem persists remove the sensors from the brackets and realign the sensors ensuring the LED’s are steady and not flickering. Check for a temporary obstruction such as a rope attached to the door. Excessive vibration on the door rails may cause the sensors to be misaligned while the door is closing, secure rails or re-install the sensor brackets to the wall or floor, |
| SITUATION | PROBABLE CAUSE & SOLUTION |
|---|---|
| OPENER DOESN'T OPERATE FROM EITHER THE WALL PUSH BUTTON OR TRANSMITTER | 1. Have you disengaged all door locks? |
| Does the opener have electric power? Plug a lamp into the outlet. If it doesn’t light, check fuse box or circuit breaker (Some outlets are controlled by a wall switch) | |
| 3. Repeated operation may have tripped the overload protector in the motor Wait 15 minutes Try again. | |
| 4. Is there a build-up of ice or snow under door? Door may be frozen to ground Re- move any obstruction | |
| 5. Remove bell wire from opener terminals Short red and white terminals by touch- ing both terminals at same time with a piece of metal (screwdriver or coin) If opener runs, check for a faulty wire connection at wail push button or a short under staples. | |
| OPENER OPERATES FROM TRANSMITTER BUT NOT FROM WALL PUSH BUTTON | 1. Is wall push button lit? |
| 2. Are wiring connections correct ? | |
| DOOR OPERATES FROM WALL PUSH BUTTON BUT NOT FROM THE TRANSMITTER | 1. Does the battery test light glow when transmitter push button is pressed? if not, replace the battery |
| 2. If you have two transmitters and only one operates. ALL transmitters must be set to same code | |
| 3. Is transmitter(s) operating any other remote control devices? | |
| 4. Did you press the transmitter button designated to operate garage door opener? | |
| 5. Reprogram receiver and ALL transmitters Try setting ALL transmitter code switches on plus, center or minus positions If transmitters) works, you can try a random code switch setting again, if you desire | |
| TRANSMITTER HAS SHORT RANGE | 1. Check battery test light If the light is dim, change the battery |
| 2. Change the location of the transmitter in the car. | |
| 3. A metal garage door or foil-backed insulation or metal siding will reduce the transmission range Antenna extender kit is available from any Sears Store or Service Center. | |
| 4. Check to be sure antenna on the back panel of opener extends fully downward. | |
| THE GARAGE DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES BY ITSELF | 1. Is there a neighbor with a garage door opener using the same frequency code? Change your code |
| 2. Check to be sure that none of the transmitter push buttons is stuck in the 'down’ position- | |
| 3. Remove bell wire from opener terminals and operate from transmitter only. If this solves the problem, the wall push button is faulty (replace), or there is a short or broken wire between push button and opener. | |
| DOOR DOESN’T OPEN COMPLETELY | 1. Is something obstructing the door? |
| 2. If door opens at least 5 feet, travel limits may need to be increased. One turn equals 2 inches of travel. REPEAT SAFETY REVERSE TEST after the adjustment is complete. | |
| 3. If door has been working properly but now doesn't open all the way, increase the UP FORCE. REPEAT SAFETY REVERSE TEST after the adjustment is complete. | |
| DOOR DOESN’T CLOSE COMPLETELY | 1. Is something obstructing the door? |
| 2. Review the Travel Limits Adjustment Chart. REPEAT SAFETY REVERSE TEST after any adjustment of door arm length, close force or down limit. | |
| DOOR WON’T CLOSE | 1. The infrared Reversing Sensor (If you have installed this accessory) may misaligned or obstructed Disconnect sensor and check door operation. If problem disappears, correct alignment |
| DOOR REVERSES FOR NO APPARENT REASON | 1. Is something obstructing the door? Pull red emergency releas handle Operate door manually If it is unbalanced or binding, call a garage door serviceman to correct the problem |
| 2. Clear any ice or snow from garage floor area where garage door closes | |
| 3. Review the Force Adjustment Chart. REPEAT SAFETY REVERSE TEST after adjustment is complete. | |
| 4. If door reverses in FULLY CLOSED position, decrease travel limits | |
| 5. The Infrared Reversing Sensor (If you have installed this accessory) may be misaligned or obstructed Disconnect sensor and check door operation ff problem disappears, correcl alignment | |
| OPENER LIGHT | DOESN’T TURN ON 1 Replace the light bulb (75 watts maximum) Use a "garage door opener bulb" if standard bulb burns out prematurely due to vibration Vibration may be caused by loose end panel Retighten screws DOESN’T TURN OFF 1 There may be a defective ground at ceiling or wall receptacle UNIT MUST BE GROUNDED. |
| OPENER STRAINS OR MAXIMUM FORCE IS NEEDED TO OPERATE DOOR | 1. Door may be out of balance or springs are broken Close door and use emergency release rope and handle to disconnect trolley Open and close door manually A properly balanced door will stay in any point of travel while being supported entirely by its springs if it does not, call a garage door sen/iceman to correct the problem, |
| OPENER MOTOR HUMS BRIEFLY, THEN WON’T WORK | 1. Garage door springs are broken. |
| 2. The trolley may be jammed into stop bolts Pull or push on door while motor is humming to release jammed condition Re-adjust door limits to prevent over-travel. | |
| 3. REPEAT SAFETY REVERSE TEST after adjustment is complete. If the problem occurs on first operation of the opener, door is locked DISABLE DOOR LOCK. If chain was removed and reinstalled, motor may be out of phase Remove chain; cycle motor to the down position (Observe drive sprocket When it turns in clockwise direction and stops in down position.) Reinstall chain. REPEAT SAFETY REVERSE TEST after adjustment is complete. | |
| OPENER WON’T OPERATE DUE TO POWER FAILURE | 1. Use emergency release rope and handle to disconnect trolley Door can be opened and closed manually. When the power is restored, press the wall push button and trolley will automatically reconnect |
| 2. The emergency release Key Lock accessory (for use on garages with no service floor) disconnects the trolley from outside the garage in case of power failure | |
| CHAIN DROOPS OR SAGS | 1. it is normal for chain to droop slightly in the closed door position Use emergency release rope and handle to disconnect trolley If chain returns to normal height when the trolley is disengaged and door reverses on a one-inch obstruction, no adjustments are needed |
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