Overhead Door
Disengaged or Broken Trolley / Carriage
Garage door opener motor runs but door does not move (chain/belt moves but trolley stays put)
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Emergency release left in disengaged position, Broken trolley carriage, Worn drive teeth on trolley, Broken release lever spring
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Keep hands clear of moving chain/belt and rail while testing.
- 1. Check emergency release position: Ensure the red release cord and lever are in the engaged position (usually toward the opener). Pull the cord toward the door to re-engage on many models.
- 2. Run the opener: With the door closed, run the opener and watch the trolley. If the chain/belt moves but the trolley does not, the trolley may be broken.
- 3. Inspect trolley: Unplug the opener and examine the trolley carriage on the rail. Look for cracked plastic, missing teeth, or a broken release mechanism.
- 4. Replace trolley carriage: Remove the chain/belt tension per the manual, slide off the old trolley, and install a new Overhead Door-compatible trolley. Re-tension the chain/belt to the specified sag.
- 5. Reconnect and test: Re-engage the trolley to the door arm, restore power, and test full open/close cycles.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Trolley / Carriage Assembly
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