Mighty Mule gate opener troubleshooting and repair

Описание: In this video, I fix my Mighty Mule Model FM350 automatic electric gate opener for free (no parts needed), and show how to fix a couple of common problems with these remote control gate opener arms.

A common problems with these arms – especially here in our climate in the Pacific Northwest – is that the arms get moisture inside them, and this either blocks the rev counter emitter / detector, or shorts out the rev counter board (a $41 part from Mighty Mule).

In this case, I make sure the rev counter emitter / detector is clean and dry, but I notice that the open position limit switch's small metal arm is bent, and covered in grease. My guess is that the acme screw had stiff grease (wintertime temperatures) and / or frost on it – and when the arm retracted, the built-up grease and frost bent the microswitch's arm, so the switch did not work, and the arm retracted too far and bound up the motor, causing the controller to fault out because the controller's stall force limit circuit worked.

Once I fixed the limit switch and reassembled, the gate opener has worked perfectly for the past 2.5 months. I'm always glad when I can repair something without having to buy any parts!