Craftsman 13953973SRT garage door opener Parts

Your Craftsman garage door opener model number is typically printed on a label on the motor unit under a light lens. On the Craftsman 13953973SRT, check under the front light lens first; the model label is commonly placed there.

Where to look on the opener (fast checklist)

• Unplug the opener or turn off the breaker before opening any lens cover.
• Look under the front light lens on the motor unit.
• If you do not see it, check under the left light lens (when you are facing the garage door).
• Check the side opposite the antenna (many units place the label away from the antenna).
• Write down the full model number exactly as shown (letters and numbers).

What the model number helps you do

Knowing the exact model number (for example, 13953973SRT) helps us match the correct Craftsman garage door opener parts, wiring diagrams, and programming steps.

Common tasks that depend on the model

• Programming remotes and keyless entry
• Troubleshooting door reversal and safety sensor issues
• Identifying the correct wall control style and wiring terminals
• Finding the right repair instructions for drive, gear, or motor problems

Quick reference: label locations

What you see on the opener	Where to check next
Light lens on the front of the motor unit	Under the front light lens
Two light lenses (front and left)	Under the left light lens (facing the door)
Antenna wire hanging down	Opposite side of the antenna

Why it matters

Garage door opener parts and accessories can look similar across Craftsman models, but programming steps and compatible remotes can differ. Using the exact model number prevents ordering the wrong part and speeds up troubleshooting.

Helpful resources

• Use the 13953973SRT owner's manual to confirm label locations and identify your opener features.
• If you are shopping for parts by model number, start with the model parts list, or search by model on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

For a Craftsman garage door opener like model 13953973SRT, it’s cheaper to repair when the problem is limited to setup, controls, sensors, or a single worn component. Replacement is the better value when the opener is older, has repeated failures, or the repair total approaches the cost of a new unit.

Quick decision guide (repair vs replace)

Choose repair when:

• The door won’t close due to sensor alignment, wiring, or sunlight interference
• Travel limits or force settings are off (door reverses, stops short, or won’t fully open)
• The remote/keypad needs reprogramming or codes need to be erased
• The door is mechanically sound and properly balanced
• The opener has been reliable until this one issue

Choose replace when:

• The opener has frequent breakdowns or intermittent operation
• The motor unit has major internal wear (common after many years of use)
• You need modern features (battery backup, Wi-Fi control, quieter drive)
• Safety performance is inconsistent even after proper adjustment and testing
• The repair estimate is close to the price of a new opener plus installation

Typical cost comparison

Costs vary by area, but these ranges help you decide:

Option	Typical cost range	Best for
Basic repair/adjustment	$100 to $250	Sensors, force/travel tuning, minor electrical issues
Moderate repair	$200 to $500	Control board, gear wear, motor-related labor
Replace opener (unit only)	$200 to $600+	New features, improved reliability
Replace opener (installed)	$400 to $1,000+	Full upgrade with professional setup

Why it matters (safety and reliability)

Your opener’s safety systems must work every time. The manual calls out that after any force or travel adjustment, the safety reversal system must be tested, and it should be tested monthly. If the door is not properly balanced, it may not reverse when required, which is a safety risk.

What we recommend for model 13953973SRT before spending money

1. Confirm the garage door is properly balanced and moves smoothly by hand.
2. Check and correct travel limits and force settings; then test reversal.
3. Inspect and align the safety reversing sensors; clean the lenses.
4. Reprogram remotes/keyless entry if operation is inconsistent.

Use the procedures and test steps in the 13953973SRT owner’s manual. For model-specific troubleshooting paths (including diagnostic light patterns and code-style guidance), use Craftsman error codes. If you decide to replace instead of repair, you can search by model number on Sears PartsDirect to compare compatible parts and accessories.

Last updated: February 2026

Common problems on the Craftsman 13953973SRT garage door opener are power or control issues (won’t run from the wall control or remote), safety reversing sensor problems (door won’t close or reverses and the opener light blinks), and door-travel or force issues caused by a door that’s binding or out of balance. Use the 13953973SRT owner's manual troubleshooting steps first, then shop by model on Sears PartsDirect if you need replacement parts.

Most common symptoms and what they usually mean

• Opener does nothing (no response from wall control or remote): outlet, breaker, wall switch, or motor overload protector tripped.
• Remote works but wall control doesn’t: wall control wiring or the wall control itself is the likely issue.
• Door won’t close from the remote: safety sensor is missing or misaligned (the wall control can often close the door when held).
• Door reverses and opener light blinks about 5 seconds: safety reversing sensor beam is blocked or the sensors are out of alignment.
• Motor hums briefly then stops: door may be locked, springs may be broken, or the drive system is jammed.
• Short remote range: antenna position, vehicle location, or metal door/insulation interference.

Quick checks we recommend before replacing anything

1. Confirm power: plug a lamp into the opener outlet; reset the breaker if needed.
2. Check the door itself: disengage the trolley using the emergency release and move the door by hand; it should move smoothly and stay at mid-travel.
3. Inspect the safety sensors: clear obstructions, clean the lenses, and aim the sensors directly at each other.
4. Look for lockouts: make sure the wall control lock feature is off.
5. Let the motor cool: if it stopped after repeated cycles, wait about 15 minutes and try again.

What the lights and behavior can tell you

What you see	Most likely cause	Best next step
Opener light blinks for ~5 seconds after reversing	Safety sensor beam interrupted or misaligned	Align sensors; remove obstruction
Door won’t close from remote, but closes when holding wall button	Sensor not installed or not aligned	Correct sensor alignment and wiring
Remote range is very short	Antenna/interference/vehicle position	Extend antenna downward; reposition remote

Why it matters

Most “opener problems” are actually sensor alignment or a door that’s hard to move. Fixing those first prevents nuisance reversals and reduces strain on the motor, gears, and drive system.

Last updated: February 2026

If your Craftsman 13953973SRT garage door opener will not respond to remotes or the keypad, first check whether the wall control works. If the wall control works, the issue is wireless (battery, lock mode, programming, interference). If it does not, focus on power, wiring, or a safety condition; follow the 13953973SRT owner's manual.

Quick isolation test (wall control)

• Wall control works: troubleshoot remotes, keypad, antenna, and programming.
• Wall control does not work: check power to the opener, wall control wiring, and opener logic.
• Door starts down then reverses: treat it as a safety sensor or force/travel issue.

Fix the most common remote and keypad causes

• Replace batteries in every remote and the keyless entry keypad.
• Confirm the opener antenna wire is hanging down and not damaged.
• Turn off the wall control Lock (vacation) feature if it is enabled.
• Power-cycle the opener (unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in).
• Erase all codes, then reprogram remotes and reset the keypad PIN (see Programming in the manual).

When the door will not close from a remote

The manual notes the opener will not close from a remote if either safety sensor indicator light is off (misaligned or blocked); the opener light may flash during a sensor fault.

• Remove obstructions in the sensor beam path.
• Clean the sensor lenses.
• Align sensors so both indicator lights are on and steady.

Symptom	Most likely cause	Best next step
Wall button works, wireless does not	Lock mode, dead battery, lost programming	Reprogram devices; reset PIN
Wireless works only up close	Interference, antenna issue	Reposition antenna; reduce interference
Door will not close by remote	Safety sensor blocked/misaligned	Align and clear sensors

Why it matters

The opener is designed to ignore wireless commands in certain conditions (lock mode, lost codes) and to refuse closing when the safety reversing sensors are not working correctly.

For diagnostic flash patterns and common Craftsman symptoms, use Craftsman error codes. To search parts and accessories by model number, use Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026