Other Room

Why does the LED on my opener flash in a pattern?

The rear of the motor body has what the manual calls the "learn" button. Above it there is what the manual calls the learn indicator light. I notice that the light blinks in a regular pattern all of the time. Is that the way it normally works? (I'm trying to troubleshoot a safety sensor problem and I wonder if there is any relationship?)

The light should normally be off unless you are in the process of programming. The flashing LED is an indicator that a fault was sensed by the control board. The number of flashes indicate certain potential problem areas as follows:

1 flash - a shorted or reversed safety sensor wire.

2 flashes - an open sensor wire or a misaligned sensor or a sensor obstructed for more than 8 seconds or mismatched sensor eyes.

3 flashes - a shorted wall control wire.

4 flashes - intermittent sensor signal (slightly misaligned)

5 flashes - RPM sensor issue or an overheated or failed motor

6 flashes - a failed logic board relay

These codes can be a useful diagnostic tool to point you in the right direction. For example, a difference between 1 or 2 or 4 flashes might quickly lead you to the cause of your safety sensor problem. But you do need to be careful since a power surge can sometimes accidentally trigger the system or cause an incorrect fault code so the codes should be used as indicators of a potential problem source and not an absolute confirmation. After all, I have seen 5 flashes on an fully operating opener, and a problem with either the RPM sensor or Motor should make it impossible for the door to close or open. I have also seen occasional flashes caused by interference from cell phones or other signals in an area.

If you are seeing fault codes that look wrong, or appeared for no apparent reason, you can reset the diagnostic memory by simply unplugging the opener itself for a couple of minutes.