Free on-site gate assessment - hinges, posts, and your LiftMaster or Nice gate operator checked before anything is quoted
The assessment is free and the quote is the invoice.
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AfterTrusted Gate Motor Repair Nationwide
When a gate motor quits, the whole entrance stops working. The gate sits half open, or it hums and won’t move, or it slams shut on a car that was still rolling through. Gate motor repair is not guesswork with a screwdriver. It means finding out whether the motor itself is failing, or whether something upstream is making it look that way: a worn gear, a weak capacitor, a bad control board, a gate that has gotten too heavy for its hinges. Latch & Post Gate Repair has done this work since 2009 as part of the Cedarwell family of independently owned and operated gate specialists. The latch and the post are where every gate starts, and the motor is what we spend most of our service calls on. Call (626) 649-4572 and a live person answers, any hour, any day.
Gate Motor Repair for Swing and Slide Gates
Gate Motor Repair covers the drive unit that physically moves your gate: the electric motor, the gearbox, the limit switches, and the connection to the arm or chain. You need it when the gate opens slowly, stops partway, makes a grinding or whining noise, or does nothing at all when you press the remote. We repair the motor when repair makes sense and replace it when it doesn’t. A typical gate motor repair runs $150 to $600, and a full motor replacement runs $450 to $1,400 depending on the brand and the gate weight. You see the written number before we start. No pressure, no surprise invoice.
Motor, Gearbox, or Something Else
A motor that hums but doesn’t turn is often a failed start capacitor, a part that costs a fraction of a new motor. A motor that spins freely but the gate stays put usually points to a stripped gear or a broken coupling. We test before we recommend anything, so you only pay for the part that actually failed.
That kind of diagnosis is the difference between a $150 visit and a $1,200 replacement you didn’t need.
Swing Gates vs. Sliding Gates
Swing gate motors push or pull an arm, and they fail when the gate sags and the arm fights it. Slide gate motors drive a chain, rack, or wheel, and they fail when the track fills with grit or the gate drifts out of level. The repair is different for each, and so is the warning sign.
Gate Motor Troubleshooting You Can Check First
Before you call, a few checks take five minutes and sometimes save a service visit. Look at the power: a tripped breaker, a dead transformer, or a drained backup battery makes a healthy motor look dead. Look at the gate: if it has dropped on its hinges or something is lodged in the track, the motor is straining against a mechanical problem, and no amount of motor work will fix that. And try the manual release, so you know whether the gate moves freely by hand.
If the gate moves easily by hand and the motor still won’t drive it, the problem is electrical or inside the drive unit. That is where we come in. If the gate is stiff or heavy by hand, tell us when you call, because that changes what we bring. See our Gate Opener Repair page for the control side of the system, and Driveway Gate Repair if the gate itself is the problem.
Gate Motor Replacement vs. Repair
Gate Motor replacement is the right call when the windings are burned out, the gearbox is chewing itself apart, or the unit is so old that parts are no longer made. Repair is the right call when one component failed and the rest of the motor is sound. We lay out both prices and tell you which one we would pay for if it were our own driveway. Most owners who ask us about a replacement end up with a repair, and most who are told “repair” because a shop just wanted the quick fix come back within a year.
When Repair Wins
A bad capacitor, a worn limit switch, a loose wire, or a cracked arm bracket can all be fixed in one visit with parts we carry on the truck. The motor keeps running for years after.
If the repair is the sensible option, that is what we recommend, even when a replacement would pay us more.
When Replacement Wins
Burned windings, a seized gearbox, or a motor too weak for the gate it was bolted to will fail again. Putting in a correctly sized unit costs less over three years than patching the old one twice.
We size the new motor to your gate weight and daily cycles, not to whatever was on the shelf.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees – you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Gate Remote Control Repair
Gate Remote Control problems get blamed on the motor all the time. If the gate responds to the wall button or keypad but not the handheld remote, the motor is fine. The usual causes are a dead remote battery, a remote that lost its programming, or a receiver on the control board that has worn out. We test the signal, reprogram or replace the remotes, and swap the receiver if it has failed. Remote replacement runs $40 to $120 per remote, and a new receiver runs $90 to $250 installed.
Range and Interference
A remote that only works from ten feet away is usually a weak battery or a receiver antenna that got pushed against metal. We check both, and we move the antenna if that fixes it.
Sometimes a new light, a camera, or a neighbor’s device is the real source of interference. We test for that too.
Brand-Matched Remotes
Remotes are not universal. A LiftMaster unit wants a LiftMaster-compatible remote, and a DoorKing board wants its own. We carry the common ones and order the rest, so you are not stuck with a cheap clone that drops signal.
Gate Keypad Repair
Gate Keypad repair is the fix for a keypad that ignores buttons, shows the wrong code, or has stopped lighting up. You need it when guests, delivery drivers, or family members can’t get in without calling you. Keypads fail from water getting behind the faceplate, worn contacts from heavy use, or a cut or loose wire running back to the board. Most keypad repairs run $120 to $350, and a new weatherproof keypad runs $180 to $450 installed.
Water Damage and Corroded Contacts
A keypad mounted on a post takes rain, sprinklers, and morning dew every day. Once moisture gets behind the buttons, the contacts corrode and the pad starts missing presses. We replace it with a sealed unit and seal the wiring entry so it doesn’t happen again.
Resetting and Changing Codes
If a former tenant, contractor, or employee still has your code, we reset it on the spot and set up separate codes for the people who need them, so you can remove one without locking out everyone else.
Gate Closer Spring Replacement
Gate Closer Spring replacement matters on gates that close by spring tension, and on hydraulic closers where the spring controls the final swing. A weak or broken spring leaves the gate hanging open, or lets it swing shut with too much force. Springs are under load. Cutting or loosening one without the right tools can injure you, which is why this is a job we recommend not trying alone. Spring replacement typically runs $120 to $400 depending on the gate size and closer type, and it often takes under an hour.
Why Springs Fail
Springs fatigue from thousands of open and close cycles, and they rust at the coils in damp climates. A spring that rattles, sags in the middle, or has a visible crack is near the end of its life.
Adjusting Closing Speed
Not every gate closer problem needs a new part. Sometimes a closer is simply set too fast or too slow. We adjust the tension and the hydraulic valves so the gate shuts firmly but does not slam, which matters if kids or pets use the entrance.
Gate Operator Keypad Wiring and Setup
The Gate Operator Keypad is the link between the person at the post and the motor in the cabinet. When it is wired wrong or programmed to the wrong relay, the symptoms look like motor failure: the gate opens when it should close, ignores the code, or triggers only some of the time. We trace the wiring from the keypad to the operator board, confirm each relay does what it says, and correct any terminal that was landed in the wrong place. A full wiring check and reprogram usually runs $150 to $400.
Wired and Wireless Keypads
Wired keypads are steadier, but a buried or nicked cable can fail without any warning. Wireless keypads are easier to place, but they depend on batteries and a clear signal. We recommend whichever suits your distance and layout, and we explain the tradeoff plainly.
Gate Operator Repair and Control Boards
Gate Operator Repair deals with the brain of the system: the control board, the sensors, the safety inputs, and the settings that tell the motor how far to travel and how hard to push. A board that has taken a power surge or a lightning strike can leave a perfectly good motor sitting idle. A setting that drifted can make the gate reverse early or stop short of the post. We test the board, check the safety loop, and reset the travel limits. Operator repairs generally run $200 to $750, and a replacement board runs $350 to $900 installed.
Surge and Lightning Damage
If the gate died right after a storm, the board is the first place to look. We check the fuses and the surge protection, and we add a surge protector if the site doesn’t have one.
Safety Sensors and Reversing
An automatic gate has to stop and reverse when something is in the way. We test the photo eyes and edge sensors on every operator call, because a gate that ignores an obstacle is a hazard, no matter how well the motor runs. For a full new setup, see our Automatic Gate Installation page.
Brands We Service
We are factory-trained on the brands families actually own, including LiftMaster, FAAC, BFT, Linear, Viking, Ghost Controls, DoorKing, Elite, and Mighty Mule. The technician who arrives understands how your specific motor is wired, not just how gates work in general.
DoorKing and LiftMaster account for a large share of the motors we touch. We know their control boards, their gear sets, and the failure points that show up after years of daily cycles. Whether you have one of those brands or any other make, we can help, and we stock the capacitors, limit switches, and gears that fail most often.
Signs Your Gate Motor Needs a Pro Right Now
- The motor hums but the gate doesn’t move. That is often a failed capacitor or a jammed gear. Pressing the button again and again burns the windings, so stop and call before a cheap fix becomes a new motor.
- The gate opens slowly or stalls halfway. A weak motor, a worn gearbox, or a gate that has gained weight from rust or sag. It usually gets worse each week.
- You hear grinding, clicking, or a loud clunk. That is a worn gear, a loose bracket, or a chain that has stretched. The noise tends to be the last warning before something breaks.
- The motor housing is hot to the touch. An overworked motor is working against a gate that is too heavy, out of level, or binding. Heat shortens its life quickly.
- The gate reverses or stops for no reason. Could be a sensor or a board setting, but an unpredictable gate is unsafe around kids and pets. Don’t wait on this one.
Our Process, Step by Step
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Listen and inspect. We ask what the gate does and when it started, then check power, hinges, track, and the manual release. You get a diagnosis before any work is approved. If you don’t like the plan, we leave and you owe nothing.
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Quote the repair. The written quote breaks out parts and labor line by line, with a repair price and a replacement price when both make sense. A live person confirms every appointment.
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Protect the site. Drop cloths go down wherever we set tools on finished concrete or stone. We ask before moving anything of yours, even a bike or a potted plant.
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Repair and test. We fix or replace the failed part, reset the travel limits, and run the gate through full open and close cycles. We test the safety sensors and the remotes before we call it done.
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Clean up and walk through. We sweep, remove packaging, and show you how the gate behaves now. The job isn’t done until you have seen it work yourself.
How Much Does Gate Motor Repair Cost?
Most gate motor repairs run $150 to $600. A full motor replacement runs $450 to $1,400. Remote controls run $40 to $120 each, keypads $120 to $450, closer springs $120 to $400, and control board work $200 to $900. These are honest ranges, not teaser prices.
What moves the number: the brand and size of the motor, how heavy the gate is, how many parts failed, and whether the gate itself needs work. The way to avoid overpaying is simple. Get the diagnosis in writing, ask whether a repair is possible before agreeing to a replacement, and check that safety sensors are tested as part of the visit. That is exactly what our free estimate includes. Every quote is written, explained line by line, and yours to keep with no obligation.
Where We Work
Latch & Post Gate Repair serves homeowners and businesses across the United States through local crews working to the same Cedarwell Care Promise. Each location is an independent local business, not a distant national operation. The technician who arrives knows the local climate, the local soil, and the local building practices. The standard of care, the written pricing, and the cleanup routine stay exactly the same. Planning a new gate instead? See Gate Installation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gate Motor Repair
Gate motor repair is the diagnosis and fix of the drive unit that moves your gate, including the motor, gearbox, capacitor, and limit switches. It also covers checking whether the real cause is the control board, the remote, or a gate that has become too heavy. Call (626) 649-4572 for a free estimate.
Most repairs run $150 to $600, and a full motor replacement runs $450 to $1,400 depending on brand and gate weight. You see the exact written number before any work starts, with parts and labor broken out. Call (626) 649-4572 for a free, no-pressure estimate.
Repair makes sense when one part failed, like a capacitor, limit switch, or gear, and the rest of the motor is sound. Replacement makes sense when the windings are burned out or the unit is badly undersized for the gate. We give you both prices and tell you which one we would choose.
The most common causes are a failed start capacitor, a stripped gear, or a gate that is binding on a hinge or track. Stop pressing the remote, because repeated attempts can burn out the motor. Call us and describe the sound, and we can usually tell you what is likely before we arrive.
Yes. We repair and replace remote controls, keypads, closer springs, and control boards on LiftMaster, FAAC, BFT, Linear, Viking, Ghost Controls, DoorKing, Elite, and Mighty Mule systems. Many gate problems that look like motor failure turn out to be one of these smaller parts.
Every repair is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise. If the work isn’t done right within the year, Latch & Post makes it right, no argument and no fine print. That is in addition to any manufacturer warranty on the motor or parts.
Schedule Your Gate Motor Repair Today
Call (626) 649-4572 for a free, no-obligation estimate. A live person answers 24/7, even on weekends and holidays. We’ll find the real cause, put a written price in your hands, and schedule the work when it fits your day. No pressure, no surprises, and a 365-Day Done Right Promise on every repair.
Written by Cody Beckman, Owner at Latch & Post Gate Repair, serving homeowners since 2009.