How to wire a garage door opener - DIY Chamberlain MyQ - part 2 of 3

How to wire a garage door opener is easy and simple. I demonstrate how to install a Chamberlain MyQ garage door opener specifically focusing on the wiring. This DIY project is easy and can be done by any DIY'er!
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Part 1: How to install garage door opener: • DIY replace your garag...
Part 3: How to connect your garage door opener to your smartphone: • How to connect garage ...
Buy a Chamberlain garage door: amzn.to/41nRoWt
FULL INSTALLATION (11 minutes): • DIY replace your garag...
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Tools Used in this video:
AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS:
- Chamberlain MyQ Garage Door Opener (no longer in stock): amzn.to/2vXWGQa use this for a similar garage door opener amzn.to/41nRoWt
- Milwaukee Wire Stippers (mine are old): amzn.to/39Ri2NA
- Eye Protection: amzn.to/3d0vkJw
- Work Gloves (any should do): amzn.to/2wU2wCc
- Husky utility knife: amzn.to/2w8JJ63
- Husky philips and flat head screwdrivers: amzn.to/2WiCwe6
- Hammer (not Husky in video and couldn't find husky but this is a good alternative): amzn.to/2QcZjV9
- Makita Drill: amzn.to/2Wb37Kf
- Milwaukee Bit Set (mine is no longer available): amzn.to/2Q8REqP
Disclaimer
This video was made to demonstrate how I/Colton/we/Homes by C & B/Colton Crump DIY personally completed this type of project. I/Colton/we/Homes by C & B/Colton Crump DIY assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. I/Colton/we/Homes by C & B/Colton Crump DIY recommend safe practices when working with/on any structure or object, seen or implied within this video. Information contained in this video does not create and hold any warranty or guarantee for any reason.This video was made for demonstration purposes and provides my/our own opinion on how to complete a project. I/we/Homes by C & B/Colton Crump DIY will not be held liable for any damage, injury, accident, or mishap that may happen to you when attempting the same or similar steps outlined. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from use or improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Homes by C & B, Colton Crump, Bailey Crump, or Colton Crump DIY.

[@ceecee4823]

Great instruction video. Straight to the point without a bunch of wasted time. Thank you for making this video. Others should learn from you.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Very kind of you! Thank you! Appreciate it 🙏

[@extrema]

Thank you for showing how to insert and remove wired into the unit.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Of course! Glad this helped!

[@mimandan6]

Waoooo. This video is a tone better than the one from Chamberlain. Thank you so much.

[@jackweaver9838]

This video was a big help, thank you!

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Thanks Jack for watching and commenting! Glad it helped!

[@blonklee4529]

you have a good clear explanation with good picture, thanks.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Thank you!! Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@frankrizzo3922]

This is way better then the directions included with my Chamberlain garage opener... thanks!

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Rock on! Glad this could help. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@megansharland1084]

Thank you!! For some reason the installer did not set up the wall button, so I thought it was going to be terribly complicated to do, but it was literally so easy with your video!

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Awesome!!! Glad to hear it! Thank you for watching and commenting on your success :)

[@quentinbell6287]

You guys saved the day!! Thank you so much for the quick and easy video.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@juanfer969]

Thank you so much ,guys, I see you wiring, and save, my work

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@anthonymallett4310]

thanks guys my old wire was ripped out. had to replace it. this video helped

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Glad it helped and you got it figured out! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@v_token1377]

awesome video

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Thanks Vince! Appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@bobwilsher7390]

Colton, That was great. Thanks, I searched everywhere. Why didn't I just come here in the first place. East to understand, thorough, and as @ceecee said, without a bunch of wasted time

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Glad you found this video useful!! Great to hear you enjoyed it so thank you for watching and commenting :)

[@u2sweetestallie]

Thank you!!!!! My garage door didn’t come with a manual but rather a shit for shit app that is mainly useless!

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Happy this was helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting :)

[@sklee1644]

Thanks for sharing. Do you know why the garage door does not go down after goes up?

[@3kelley07]

Thank you this was so helpful on adjusting the garage door!!! After installation!!! Thanks guys🙋‍♀️(girl power) Have a good one!!!!

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Thanks for watching and commenting!! Glad this helped!

[@ArniAtlason]

You are doing fantastic thing on this channel.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Thanks Arni!! Appreciate you watching!!

[@chitownrider9247]

Made that look so easy lol

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

It totally is! Just do one step at a time, you can do it!

[@travisgau6126]

Do you not have too ground the switch? I’m trying to install and I have a ground wire with nowhere to wire it on.

[@j.c.7511]

thanks so much

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting

[@lowridingtrucks88]

Thanks👍

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@user-xu9yv7fq5t]

Question about adding a 2nd button for the same opener. Would it work to splice the wires of the second opener into the original wires that go into the opener??

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

You're talking like an example of: one opener by your door to go in your house and then another by a your door that goes to the backyard or something? Yeah I don't see why not. It would be sending the same signal through those wires to the opener to open your garage. Just have more wires to try to hide

[@marshadickerson6816]

This video helps a little bit but going into more depth on the unit itself would be much appreciated.. such as the door stopping at the right spot.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Apologies that I did not do that further. This was at a friend's house installation so if the opportunity arises again, I'll make sure to go in more depth next time.

[@humplucker2445]

I have 3 white cables and 3 blue. No black cable. ?

[@artriumph]

Thanks to the video. I have a Liftmaster opener from 2005 an the wires going to the control board keep loosing up probably due to vibration. Those little rectangular buttons you press to insert the wires don’t seem to hold them tight enough. Is there a trick to making them stay in there or do you have any suggestions? I believe this is causing range issues when using my remote. Thanks again.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Great question. If you have any extra wire or copper wire if the same thickness, take like an inch of it, make sure its stripped, and twist the copper wire, like you would pigtailing another wire, around the part that you insert into that slot. Essentially your making that wire a little thicker, and more rigid for that rectangle clip to grab on to. I hope that makes sense and helps

[@artriumph]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY Thank you for the suggestion. I will try that this afternoon. I’ve been trying to troubleshoot a range issue for about a month. I’m not using LEDs, changed out the control board, extended antenna, shut power off in garage and tan extension cord inside the house, bought new remotes, etc. I’m so frustrated.

[@shem718]

Which breaker do you disengage before you start stripping electrical wires?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

This house we worked on had a label (garage) and that was flipped and worked. You'd have to see what circuit your garage is on and flip that. Test it with a voltage tester before any work is done

[@oldarkie3880]

I am looking for a wire diagram on how to wire the control button and the sensors. This did not help. So the sensor wires are just combined?? I still do not understand. Locking elseware

[@retlem]

Mine won't go back down 😩. Nothing is obstructing the sensors and the light is green on one side and amber on the other. Not sure what I'm doing wrong..

[@ingfelixmendez7751]

Is it possible to install two pairs of security photoeyes?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

I'm not sure how that would work. Maybe? Could try wiring it all together and seeing what happens. I've never done it before.

[@Trevor_Green]

Any way to wire in regular contacts to the MyQ LiftMaster? Looking to wire to an automation system

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Regular contacts? Can you explain a bit what that is or send me an email with a photo and I can reply. This is one of the steps of making this garage door opener be apart of a smart home. I have the demonstration on how to connect this to wifi so you have a smart home automation system. Maybe those videos will help?

[@Trevor_Green]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY essentially, I would like to connect to an insteon 2450 I/O linc. Using that and a closure sensor on the door. Basically the same wiring as any standard momentary contact button, like a normal garage door opener or a old school door bell button I'll have a look through your videos to see if you have any that are along that line.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

If you're going down the road of wanting to control your garage door to open or close through your phone, myQ does that for you and you don't need the insteon. But if you're going down the road of once the garage detects you left the garage or come into the garage it will automatically close or open without any push of a button or anything that's out of my wheelhouse

[@Trevor_Green]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY my plan is to use HomeSeer for the logic and interface. The insteon is only a convenience as I could tie this in other ways. One slick setup is that I can configure the insteon to have on=open door and off=close door as I tie in a door sensor. No more guessing. I'll also have it alert me if I leave the door open or islf it is opened while away mode is on. Might even install a controlled outlet that cuts the power to the opener when we're away for added measure. Last house I had, I had a multi key switch that backlit a button if the garage doors were open. Push the button and it closes the door. Super nice for bedtime.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

You sound like you know what your doing and know what you need to do. So, you let me know how it all goes. I think my videos are much more beginner level compared to what you're capable of. Good work!

[@ElCineHefe]

I was hoping you would show how the wall button gets programmed. MyQ shows flashing lights when I press my wall button and the light on that works but the door doesn't budge. Everything else works except that wall button, which was working fine when I upgraded from the Chamberlain Pro Liftmaster to the new MyQ unit. This has to be a programming issue.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Did you check out the 3rd video? I show how to program your garage door wirelessly in doing so also program the wall button. Here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGLLo4GGpdqXp9U

[@ElCineHefe]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY THANK YOU!!!!

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

I got chu. Hope it helps!

[@hecanet]

Thanks for the video.... two questions. 1. The garage door opener you just showed, is it wireless and just getting power from the wires or is it wired in a true sense (trying to understand how the two buttons on it work. One turns the lights on and off while the other opens the garage door. 2. What happens if you swap the wires (red vs white) and also if you accidentally short the wires?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

The button installed on the wall is directly wired to the opener, so it's always going to have a "on/off" switch for it. If you short the wires a couple things could happen. Won't work as you would have hoped (same with crossing the wires) or could mess something up on the opener.

[@hecanet]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY Thanks for your response, but I am referring to the type of wall mounted switches (inside the garage used to open/close the garage door from within the house) that have two buttons. One used to turn the lights on the garage door opener on/off and the other used to open/close the garage door. That's the switch am referring to.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Totally gotcha. That is the same switch that I show being installed on the wall and we wire it up the wall, over the ceiling, and down to it. This wire is often hidden behind the sheetrock. These switches/buttons usually have, a big button for opening/ closing the garage, one for the light, and one to lock it.

[@hecanet]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY Yes... so, are those wireless switches then and those two wires only serve to provider power to them? Else, how does the two buttons function over just two wires? Do you have any insights?

[@user-kt8xx5wn1e]

what if there is a black wire going to the control instead of white ? can short out the system by disconnect the wires to the control when there is power to the switch?, what does it mean when one of the sensor boxes does not light?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

So if you have this exact same model, one of the sensors not lighting up means you don't have appropriate power running to it. Some models only have the sensor flash red when something is in the way or others have made to where only one of the sensors are suppose to light up and the other is just there to send or receive the laser signal. As far as the black instead of white, really it doesn't matter what color the wire is, as long as the end points of that wire are connected to where they are suppose to and you label it what it needs to be. Hard to assess over messages and may be easier to hit up an electrician or play around with it a bit.

[@networth8754]

If I am installing a new motor head ONLY and the garage door is currently in the correct down position, what do I do with the "down arrow" in that case since the garage door is already in the correct down position? 2:23

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

So you're saying that your garage door is already connected to the moving piece on your track?

[@networth8754]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY I replaced the motor head which placed the chain in the exact same position on the new unit. I swapped out the motor head when the garage door was closed. So now the trolley and chain are in the exact same position on the rail with the new motor and the door remained closed throughout the replacement. So how do I adjust the down travel since it is already in the right place?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

That's a good question. I would honestly disconnect your garage door by pulling the red rope that way you only have to play with that moving connecting piece on your track and use the up and down arrows to tell the garage how far to go to close

[@c.dufresne3468]

Would it be possible to change the solid low voltage copper wire by a 20 gauge stranded copper wire?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Hey Claude. I'm honestly not too sure about that. We just used the wire the kit came with. Whats your reason for switching it out?

[@c.dufresne3468]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY Well, I find the solid wire too rigid, not easy to work with unlike the stranded wire cover with silicone which should be ideally flexible to be installed in every corner I have to installed it. Am I right?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

I mean, logically yeah it makes sense. If you switch that out for the more fine stuff that is generally more flexible to twist and braid into the same form, I assume so? Maybe check with an electrician first. Since it's low voltage just sending the signal to the door opener may not cause any big issues, but again, I may be missing something an electrician may know more about.

[@c.dufresne3468]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY thanks. Your opinion is highly appreciated.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Thanks Claude! Glad I could help in some way! Appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@csabi72]

only problem with my chamberlink unit is that when i try to jump wire to open or close, nothing happens just arrows flushing , any ideas?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

A few things: - sensors aren't lining up to give the signal to be able to open or close - the wires are cross wired somewhere - not a strong connection at either one of the end of the wire Those are top of mind possibilities

[@xXBiGD97Xx]

I just installed my garage door opener but it’s from mastercraft so I installed the wall switch and I’m doing the force close/open but when I’m reaching the point to close the garage door from the wall switch which’s the last step it’s telling the there’s something blocking the safety beam? Do u know what that means plz I need help?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Do you know if the door sensors actually have something blocking it? When the 2 sensors are installed, there is an invisible light connection or reflector connection and it anything is breaking that connection it won't close entirely. Or the sensors may not actually be lined up either. I'd check those 2 things first.

[@xXBiGD97Xx]

Thanks a lot man for replying and it turned out I had to connect the two sensors but we don’t have kids so I didn’t want to connect them and when I did it worked thanks a lot

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Awesome!! glad you got it figured out!

[@timdilenschneider5534]

I have to replace my wiring for the sensors...What is the easiest way to do this? I already bought new sensors off of amazon and when plugged directly into the unit they work...just need a longer wire to reach the garage door. What type of wire do I need for this?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Great question. I've seen/heard people use 18/2 bell wire, I've seen 18/2 security wire, 20/2 bell wire, some have even suggested a 22/2 wire. If it's for one garage door and it's a pretty basic/generic run of the mill garage door with sensors, you can get anywhere between a 20/2 bell wire to 22/2. Now this is all under the assumption that you are able rewire the sensors with a longer continual piece of wire, if not, you may have to cut the wire somewhere, strip it, cap it with more wire , then run that to your garage door opener. Does that help?

[@timdilenschneider5534]

@@ColtonCrumpDIYyes super helpful thank you! I’ve picked up some wire and I’ll get to it today. One last question- I have the same “quick connect” terminals as shown in this video, for the sensors did you connect 2 wires into each quick connect terminal (2 white/2 black in each slot) or did you splice the 2 separate sensor wires into 1 and then connect that 1 white/1 black into the terminal? Thanks!

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

@timdilenschneider5534 either way to be honest. I personally just took the same color of each sensor and made sure they went into the same terminal. Then the same with the other color. You'll probably get a more secure connection if you twist them together into one then inserted.

[@starcastleLomitas]

Whatif you don't have any black wires or red? I have orange, and green and blue and blue/white and green/white?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Dang.... wires colors out of the norm. What is your current brand of garage door opener? If it's working right now, how it's wired will tell you what the colors are equal to.

[@daniele_go]

Hi, my garage door opener comes with three wires....how am I supposed to install it?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

I would refer to the instruction manual that came with your opener. I bet you only have to connect 2 as the third is an antenna

[@brentlockhart7704]

What's the yellow wire on the opener for?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Mmm I'm not sure what yellow wire you're taking about. Can you provide a bit more detail?

[@jaylaw8242]

I got the same thing there a yellow wired that come with it similar to the purple one in the video

[@jmiii6277]

Ever figure it out ? I’m yellow wire stumped too

[@jenniferwallace8487]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY in your video, there is a yellow wire hanging from the motor device. Looks like an antenna wire but not sure if should be kept loose or tucked somewhere or if I am completely wrong.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Aw yes. At 2:13 in the video there is a yellow wire hanging down. That is the antenna wire to recieve the garage door signal. I don't like the look of a hanging wire so I tuck it into where the plastic pops down to change the light bulbs. If you aren't able to do that you can find a way to snug it up and keep it out of the way. Some say there is reason that when it's hanging messy looking, you have a wide range from when you can open your garage door. I haven't seen that to be proven yet.

[@kw9568]

I need help. I have three wires. They contain 1 red one white. How to I wire this???

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

You have 3 wires coming from where?

[@kw9568]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY I figured it out already. I put two red wires together, two white wires together, one white, then one red into the garage motor. Works perfectly!

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Nice work!! Glad you were able to figure it out. Apologies I didn't get to you comment until later!

[@MaaZy_]

What’s up with Roger?😂😂

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

He's camera shy and this was one first times with someone else I did a project for/with.

[@3kelley07]

Thank you this was so so helpful!!!🙋‍♀️but wanted to add this to the comments because I was a little confused on the left over wires and this may help someone else.....> put the other two All white wires in the second white wire hole, (I call it white#2) put the other two wires that have color on them in the (last hole) black/gray wire hole! That should give you power to the wall and power on the beams on each side of your garage! Hope this helps! 💁‍♀️ (girl Power) and I will link a video that helped me program/adjust the door (going up and down). Have a good one!! 😊kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnylfaR7a5xjo7sfeature=shared

[@nuclearchris832]

Well sob. I just could not figure out why my door would not close. It was a intermittent thing. I finally checked the wiring at the control box. Wouldn’t you know it one of the wires was loose and only making a inconsistent connection causing all the problems

[@Liefpj]

Haha this the second vid to not show how the wires go into those holes.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Hey leaf! The wires are a simple insert. You push in the color thumb tab that you want, take the wire (make sure its stripped a good 1/2" to 3/4") put the wire in the hole, then let off the thumb tab you're pushing.

[@Liefpj]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY thanks yeah I’m just replacing an old unit. Using all the old wires/sensors/hardware is nice. My push button is not working though. So I’m gonna swap for the new one. Will I lose my open/close memory settings if I unplug everything?

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

That's a great question. You "shouldn't" the device should be able to remember it all if you just unplug and replug it. Just like a power outage, it should be able to remember it.

[@BitSmythe]

No need to say “what’s going on”.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

What about... "what's happenin'"

[@BitSmythe]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY Hm, that's another question, not a greeting. Still, I like your vids. Keep rockin'! ;-)

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

Haha thank you! Maybe I'll experiment with some greetings that aren't questions.

[@hsbrooks]

No. Nothing like breezing over safety issues. Oh wait! You didn’t mention any at all. Do you realize there is an entire federal code for placement of the electric eye sensors and door auto reversal on contact while closing? I suspect not.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

The door auto reversal on contact is built with the motor. When there is resistance when trying to close, this is made to automatically come back up. As far as the eye sensors, I already mention they are not suppose to be greater than 6 inches off the ground to fit within code. Outside of that the sensors can't be more than 20' apart, and no more than 6" installment within the path of the door. Did I miss anything Stuart?

[@fritzalokoa2893]

You're rushing. If you're trying to teach someone on your channel slow down and go specific on the steps

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

I'm actually filipino... close though..... lol I'm kidding. Thanks for letting me know.

[@steve-n-stacydowdy8722]

The explaining was to fast, and his camera views were not in the right place, as the back of his hands were in the way of what he was trying to show. Should have screened his video and corrected these problems before he posted the video.

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

I'm sorry. Doing the project, recording the project, editing the clips of the project, writing a script, doing the voice over, editing images, getting the creative planned and completed, publishing this video with the appropriate tags and SEO value, trying to provide a semi useful video, all on my own as a 1 man band, all while balancing a family life... I should have done more to make sure you were satisfied with my content.

[@Queenbeeofhoneydos]

@@ColtonCrumpDIY 👊🤣🤣🤣

[@ColtonCrumpDIY]

👊