Sommer
Disengaged or Stripped Drive Carriage
Garage door will not open; motor runs briefly but carriage does not move along the Sommer rail.
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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
Carriage manually released and not re‑engaged, Worn drive coupling inside motor carriage, Broken carriage locking pawl
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Ensure the door is supported and will not fall when re‑engaging the opener.
- 1. Check emergency release: Verify the red release cord has not left the carriage in manual mode. Move the door until the carriage re‑locks (you should hear a click).
- 2. Observe carriage during operation: Run the opener and watch the carriage. If the motor spins but the carriage does not move, the internal drive mechanism is likely stripped.
- 3. Inspect for broken plastic parts: With power off, remove the carriage cover (if accessible) and look for broken gears or couplers.
- 4. Replace carriage: Order the correct Sommer motor carriage assembly for your model and replace it following the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Sommer Motor Carriage Assembly
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