Safety eye sensors have been required on all garage door openers manufactured on or after
January 1, 1993. The safety eye sensors shoot a beam across the width of the garage door
opening, if the beam is broken the door will not close. The opener also will not open with the
safety eyes removed. This safety eye sensor system is designed to prevent children from getting
entrapped under the door causing serious injury or death.
If you have broken wire from the opener to the safety eye sensor, it is a pretty simple thing to
fix if you have basic handyman skills. You will need to splice the wires back together or splice in
a new piece of wire, if there is not enough slack in the existing wire.
1. Unplug the operator from its power source to prevent accidental electrocution.
2. Separate the two pieces of wire. Note each wire contains two different colored wires
joined together.
3. Split the two different colored wires apart using a knife, split them about 3″-4″ inches
back. (Do this for both pieces of wire)
4. Strip the rubber coating off of each wire, you will need to strip off about 1/2″inch of the
rubber coating on each wire, 4 total.
5. Make sure you match up the wire colors and twist the wires of the same color together.
6. Use electrical tape to tape each splice together. You can also use wire nuts to connect
the wires together.
7. Plug the opener back in to the electrical outlet. The safety eye sensors light should
illuminate when you have them realigned properly.
8. Test the opener to make sure the safety eye sensor is working properly.
You can also replace the safety eye sensor if you do not wish to splice the wires back together.
Replacement safety eye sensors can be purchased at most home improvement stores like
Home Depot or Lowes or from a garage door service company. Make sure you purchase safety
eye sensors that will work with you manufacturer and model number opener, safety eye
sensors are not universal. New safety eye sensors installed by certified technician should cost $149-$179 depending on the type
you need.
