The motor and the control board are the heart and brain of your gate. When either one goes wrong, the gate stops. I repair and replace motors and control boards for all the major brands.
Common motor faults
- Motor hums but the gate doesn't move – often a failed capacitor, a jammed gate or a stripped gear
- Gate moves slowly or struggles – worn gearbox, a gate that's dropped, or a motor that's too small for the gate
- Clunking or grinding – worn gears or bearings. See noisy electric gates
- Water in an underground motor – blocked drainage in the foundation box
- Hydraulic motors – oil leaks, lost pressure, slow or jerky movement
- One gate of a pair not working – a fault in that motor, its cable or its output on the board
Gate Motor Repairs in Carlisle and the Surrounding Area
Gate motors work hard, especially on heavy gates or exposed sites, and Cumbrian weather adds to the strain. Worn gearboxes, failed capacitors, damaged limit switches and water getting into the motor housing are the faults we repair most often around Carlisle and the surrounding villages.
We test the motor and its electrical supply before deciding on a repair, so you're not paying for parts the gate doesn't actually need. If the motor is beyond economical repair, we'll explain why and give you a price for a modern replacement before going any further.
Control Board Repairs That Get Gates Working Again
The control board is the brain of the gate, and lightning strikes, power surges and damp can all damage it. Sometimes a board can be repaired; sometimes a replacement is the more reliable option, particularly on older systems where faults tend to come back.
Either way, we set the new or repaired board up properly, programme the remotes, retest the safety devices and force test the gate before we leave. You get a gate that works as it should, and a clear record of what was done.
Common control board faults
- Water damage – a leaking box lid or cable entry
- Lightning and power surges – often after a storm
- Failed components – relays, fuses and power supplies wear out
- Lost settings – the gate doesn't stop in the right place or reverses for no reason
- Old age – boards from years ago can be hard to repair or support
How I repair it
- Diagnose properly. Test the power, the motors, the board, the safety devices and the gate itself, so I fix the cause, not just the symptom.
- Give you a price. Before any work.
- Repair or replace the part. Using genuine or compatible parts.
- Test and set up. Including the safety devices and the closing forces, because a repair can change how the gate behaves.
Read more
- Repair or replace? When an old gate motor is worth fixing
- Sagging or misaligned gates
- Upgrading old gate motors and control boards
Please don't…
…open the control box yourself. It has mains electricity inside, and the settings control the gate's safety. A gate that's been fiddled with can close with dangerous force.
Call or WhatsApp Adrian on 07854 037752.
Questions people ask me
Can a gate control board be repaired?
Sometimes, yes – especially simple faults like fuses or relays. Otherwise a replacement board is often the better option.
Why does my gate motor hum but not move?
Common causes are a failed capacitor, a jammed gate or worn gears. Don't keep trying it – call me.
Can you repair hydraulic gate motors?
Yes, from all the major brands.