Instead of immediately calling a electric gate technician, you could try checking a few common issues to repair your gate without having to pay for service call.
Rule Out Non-Electrical Issues
First, let’s rule out any non-electrical issues. Shut the power off, disconnect the gate arm (if it’s a swing gate), or disconnect the chain (if it’s a slide gate). Try to move the gate open by hand. If the gate opens easily, then the gate itself is not the culprit.
- Swing gates – look for a physical obstruction. If it is not that, check on possible damage to the gate arm or problems with the hinges.
- Slide gates – look for issues with the wheel bearings, track, or chain.
Common “fixes” for non-electrical problems are:
- Lubricating swing gate hinges.
- Replacing wheels on a slide gate.
If the problem is a physical issue that you don’t feel comfortable tackling yourself, take some pictures and give us a call. Pictures and a good description could eliminate multiple service trips to repair your gate.
Checklist for electrical problems
1. Check the board for any indicator lights. If none, reset the power on the gate operator. Disconnect, unplug or switch off your breaker, transformer, backup power, or battery (it depends on the type of system you have). Bottom line, disconnect all power to do a full reset of the equipment. This is how I “fix” most of my computer issues! Honestly, the fix is often this simple and there is no need to spend your money on a repair call.
2. Even if you have solar panels, power could still be the problem.
- Check the battery connected to your solar panels with a voltmeter (which can be purchased at many stores like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc.). The voltage reading should be at or above the voltage required. This will be on the manufacturer’s sticker in operator. It is usually 12V or more.
- If your battery is over 2-years old, it is highly likely it needs to be replaced.
- Has there been a recent storm in your area? Storms can cause a power surge and destroy your board and/or wiring system. Look and smell for anything that appears burned.
NOTE: For battery replacements, we use Batteries Plus in Weatherford, Texas. Be sure to let them know we sent you because they can direct you to the kind of batteries we would recommend for your system.
3. If you have power after the reset, and the gate just won’t open/close, check the following:
- Check the photo eyes (if your system has them). Do you see light on inside the device? That will indicate if it is getting power. If so, are they clean? Do you see any obstructions like leaves, plants, etc.? This is a very common yet fixable issue we are called to repair your gate.
- Make sure that a “hold open” command has not been entered into the keypad.
- If the problem is the exit probe, the remote and keypad may still open the gate. Or, the system will just hold itself open. The exit probe is underground and must be dug up and replaced. Unless you want to get dirty, give us a call to replace this.
These are the basics, and many issues depend on who or how the system was installed. Sometimes we just need to set up a repair call to come look at the problem. But, you can call and schedule a time to talk to Frankie. They can often walk you through the issue over the phone. We do not charge for phone consultations.
Or, shoot us your questions below. We’d love to help here if we can.
I was just reading your trouble shooting advice on determining if you have an electrical problem with your gate. Not sure on mine. The gate works when you can get the remote to work. You just have to keep hitting the remote several times to get it to open. We have 3 remotes for it and I have the same trouble with all of them so I know it’s not just the one remote. Is there a sensor I need to check in the control box?
Thanks for reading our article. We think that your problem could be one of 2 issues. First (and most likely), if you have a battery operated system, it may be low and not totally funding the relay. Second, you could have a loose antenna on the radio receiver on your box. Most of the time, it is the first issue. Hope this helps!
Let us know if you are in our service area and are still having trouble with your gate. You can find our service area on this page of our website … https://aberdeengate.com/gate-maintenance-and-repair/
I wonder if you can help me with our issue.The gate does not open/close fully .The 2 red lights are on and an amber light is on.I have checked the rail for any obstructions , there is nothing it is clean.
We would need more information to answer … like some pictures or a video would be very helpful. Our answer depends on what brand of equipment you have and if we are familiar with it.
Before you call someone for repair service though, you could look up the manual for your equipment online to see what those lights mean. We find most all equipment we install has an online manual. However, depending on what yours is, it could be in a foreign language. Hopefully not the case!
one side of the gate opens and closes on command from keypad or remote. Other side I can hear the mechanism working but the gate does not open or close. Except without the electric use and I just open manually and close manually. can just hear as though it would be working but this side of the gate does not move. What needs to be done? Thanks.
Nancy,
Sounds like you do have some real problems. I wish I could be of more help, but this sounds like it would take a service call to figure it out. There are too many possibilities. We would need to see and what is going on in person to be of any help.
Wow great blog post! I definitely learned some new techniques. Cant wait to try them out.
Hi
We had a power cut last night and had to open gates manually. Now turn back to locked position but gets won’t open. Can hear motor start and cogs turn but doesn’t seem to engage
Sounds like you’ll have to put in an order for service to diagnose and fix this issue. I wish I could be more help.
Hi, we’ve got a digigate system and the gate wouldn’t open back up the other day. I had the cover off and rebooted it, and when that didn’t work I headed towards the keypad to check it, and the gate started going. I called the tech that the boss has contracted with and He said that something was “worn” and needed to be replaced or the chain was just going to keep coming off. The motor part IS really old, and has been discontinued so he said it’s going to be hard to find parts. I’m wondering if i can keep the control module and just upgrade the motor and pulley system with ANY kind, or if you have any recommendations on what is the best way to proceed? Thanks!
I would definitely lean on technician and company that has worked on your system. Or, if you need a second opinion, call a company in your area that can take a look. Especially since your system is older. You need to have experts take a look in person.
My parking garage at my Apts
Has a sliding gate with a gate opener but lately the reset button on the back of the motor keeps popping every other day we just push it to reset it and it works fine for a few days then it pops again any suggestions that can help me
I’m not familiar with this problem. A tech would need to take a look at it, or maybe you can call the manufacturer and see if it is a common problem for the make/model you have.
I find it helpful to know that I should probably replace the battery of my solar panel battery that is powering my automatic gate if it’s already more than two-years-old. The automatic driveway of our house has not been working properly lately. I had to manually open the car for the past two days. I’ll take note of your advice and check our solar panels later. If it’s working properly, I’ll contact a repair service first thing tomorrow. Thanks.
Great Levi! Thanks! Appreciate your comments.
These are just the basic steps for automated port problem testing. However, it is necessary to have experts with many years of experience to accurately identify related errors.
Although we all know that the principle of operation of the automatic gate motor of the same type is the same. However, each manufacturer has different installation programs, so the best advice for customers is to find the distributors of those brands for repairs.
Yup. Agreed.
My solar powered security gate opens: stays open for the minute and a half closes, and immediately opens back up, for the minute and a half. Will not stop covered eye when gate was open. Any suggestions?
Is it over closing and breaking the photoeye beam?
I need to make an appointment. We have went thru all the check points that you list and the gate still won’t work. Our swing gate is solar and electric.
Are you local to Weatherford, TX? If so, call our office number at 817-596-7678. Please leave a message because we rarely answer. We will call back. My extension is 4.
Have a solar power swinger gate opener with a buried exit probe. Recently when I walk between the end of probe and gate the gate opens. I finely figured out it is where I step exactly, any ideas on how to fix? I am thinking a short, but if so can probe wire be repaired if dug up?
Repair may be a possibility. But, you could also contact the manufacturer to see if the exit sensor is still under warranty.