It sure sounds like lightning damage. The light blinking 6 times is the code for logic board failure which is common with lightning. There isn't a surge protector made that can protect against a lightning strike. I would take the model number off the opener and call around to see if one of the local shops has a used one on hand. When they swap out openers they usually will save some of the parts.

Well I wiggled some wires on the back of the unit and pressed the red button on the back and PRESTO it works - some of you other fellas may want to also attempt this tried and true method!

GRMNJM, I wish you wouldn't spread that around. Heck, you will put us technicians out of work with your expertise. Did you do that from Ohio or did you go to Florida?

I had to replace power transistors twice on my opener after lightning storms. I solved that problem. Radio Shack used to sell MOV (metal oxide varistors) or "varistors" that you attach across the leads that go to switches or sensors. If lightning is picked up by the wire the MOV breaks down and shorts the high voltage.You pick a the MOV voltage just above the normal voltage on that wire. Do a Google on varistors. Raychem is a supplier but may be wholesale only

Surge protectors use MOV varistors but they only protect the power line not the switch or sensor lines. Incidentally use them on a security system if you have one.

Keep dreaming that your little varistor is protecting your equipment from lightning. That big bad voltage hasn't seen anything that can stop it.

Unlike California we have dozens of lightning storms here in Georgia every year. NO, MOV 's will NOT protect a direct hit but they have protected my opener now for nine years when we had 6 strikes on trees within 300 YARDS of the garage. I will dream on.

Well payback is a b____! Now, my Craftsman door opener will only go up about an inch and it stops. when I press the button on the wall unit, it goes down to the bottom, then back up an inch and stays there - ditto when I use the remote. Worse yet, if I release the handle and go manual - it slams to the ground, and I can't lift it up manually (it is a wooden door). So I can't get the darn thing up at all. Help!!!

P.S. The old wiggle of the wires and push the reset button trick did not work this time!

Your spring is broken.
There is a torsion spring located about 12 inches above your door, with a long tube running through the middle of it. You will see a gap in the spring about 2 and a half inches wide.
This is not something you want to puttz with, you can get seriously hurt. Call your local door company to do it.
If you have a big double door, you will have 2 springs up there. They were both installed at the same time and they have both done the same amount of work. When one breaks, it's usually not long before the other breaks, so you would be well advised to change both at the same time.
Springs break because of the number of times the door has been put up and down. (cycles).

Hi achuck, if your door is wooden, the springs are probably extension springs on the side of the jamb, not torsion springs above it. The extension springs may be changed as a DIY but only by someone strong enough to lift door with broken spring, and who who can also reliably secure door in up position whilst doing replacement. Better yet just get a few estimates, let someone who is pro do it. Think safe!

GDS:

You're right on - thanks for the help!

GRMNJM, this evening my garage door did the exact thing that you describe, and yes, the problem is the same as described by GDS - a broken spring on top. Even though there is only one door, there are two springs that are, strangely, not quite symmetrically spaced. The one on the left (as I stand inside the garage facing the door) is just off center to the left, whereas the one on the right is all the way to the right. Anyway, it is the right spring that is broken - there is a clear inch or inch and a half gap in it.

Care to share who you called (I was thinking Sears 'cos it is Craftsman), and what it cost you to get it fixed, GRMNJM? Would help. Thanks.

I moved in to my house about a year ago. The craftsman 1/2 HP garage door opener in my garage was already installed I think by the previous owners. Recently My wife and I went out of town and when we returned the garage door would only open about a foot then would stop. I tried using both remotes one of which is a replacement, the keyless entry unit that I installed , and even the manual button in the garage but nothing works. When the door opens it will only go about a foot and if I help push up a little it will go up on its own otherwise it stops about a foot up. It comes down on it's own fine. I did notice that one of the sensors was about to fall off and I tightened it up but that did not help. I also noticed one sensor has a green light that goes on and off if the beam is broken but the sensor that was almost off has a yellow light on that does not falsh at all. I tried adjusting the sensor to see if it was out but that dosn't seem to work either. Any suggestions?

My Craftsman model # 41A5483-2C door does not open. The motor will try to run but the lights just blink. Do I need the sensors installed or the wall unit installed for it to go up or down? This is an individual garage in a condo unit so there is no access to the house and that is why I did not put in the sensor or wall unit. Could the motor be fried or am I missing something? Thanks

Just moved into our new house three weeks ago, our 1/2hp craftsman garage door opener was working fine till a couple days ago. It closes down just fine on its own, however it bounces back up without touching the remote and then only goes up to about 2/3 of the opening. Any suggestions? thank you in advance. Nelson

It sounds like you may have a broken door spring. Depending on the door the spring(s) may be over the door or one on each side.

I have a 2005 Craftman Garage door opener. Every time i use the remote to close the door. It starts up and moves about 2 inches and then stops. To close the door, I have to use the wall switch and hold it completely down until the door is closed. Help!!!!. I hate my garage door. Can you give some advice? The door is not wood. So weight is not the issue. Do you have a manual to referr to?

Thanks
Kathy

Replaced both the large plastic gear (stripped) and the worm gear. Now the motor will not cycle completely. One door sensor is green the other is amber. Are they suppose to both be green?

I have a craftman garage door opener which came with my house. It has been working fine, but now the remote won't work (I have changed the batteries). I don't know if the code got messed up or what. My model # is 137.53778 -- pls help.

The best fix for a Craftsman garage door opener is to remove it and place it in a landfill. They are among the most unreliable devices ever built. Search this forum if you don't believe me. There are literally countless problems with them. A hamster on a conveyor belt would work better.

Please advise One elctronic eye is Green and the other is Yellow . Tried to adjust both sensors and wiring in unit . IIt is 10 degrees outside . Thanks Zenni

139.53965srt 1/2 HP screw opener. Sensors working, but door just wants to close -- not open. Amber LED on back of motor unit flashes 5 times then off for a short time and repeats. Contacts to stop door at ends of motion (inside motor unit with nylon gear) seem to be ok.