Automatic gates work hard in the UAE: heavy steel, dust, and summer temperatures that push motors to their limits. Most failures come down to a handful of causes. Here is what to check before you call a technician, and what the fix usually is.
Safety first: always switch off power to the gate before touching the motor, and keep children and cars clear while testing.
1. The remote does not work
Check: does the gate respond to any remote, or to the wall button or intercom?
- If the wall button works but remotes do not, replace the remote battery first. If one remote works and another does not, the faulty remote may need reprogramming.
- If nothing works, the problem is more likely the receiver, the control board or power to the motor.
Fix: reprogramming remotes or replacing the receiver is a quick job. Many owners switch to a GSM opener at this point so the gate opens with a phone call.
2. The gate stops or reverses halfway
Check: is anything blocking the photocells (the small sensors on either side of the gate)? Dust, spider webs, plants and sunlight shining straight into the sensor can all make the gate think something is in the way.
Fix: clean and realign the photocells. If the gate still reverses, the motor's force setting may need adjusting, or the gate may be catching on a worn wheel or bent track.
3. The motor overheats in summer
Signs: the gate works in the morning but stops in the afternoon, or works slowly after several cycles.
Cause: usually a motor that is too small for the gate, a gate that drags because of worn rollers, or a motor box in direct sun with no ventilation.
Fix: service the rollers and track so the gate moves freely by hand. If the motor is undersized, the lasting fix is a motor rated for the gate's weight and number of daily cycles.
4. Grinding noise or jerky movement
Cause: a worn or misaligned gear rack, dry or broken rollers, or loose rack screws.
Fix: realign or replace the rack, replace rollers and tighten fixings. Leaving it causes wear on the motor's gear, which is a much more expensive repair.
Prevent problems with regular servicing
A service every six months, before and after summer, catches most of these issues early: cleaning and lubricating, checking the rack and rollers, testing safety devices and checking the battery backup.
We repair and service automatic gates in Sharjah and Dubai, including motors we did not install. Call 056 794 3209.