Craftsman 13953738 garage door opener Parts

To find your garage door opener type for Craftsman model 13953738, identify the drive system (chain, belt, or screw) and the motor/control style (AC vs DC) by looking at the rail, trolley, and the opener head label. This helps you match remotes, troubleshoot issues, and choose the right repair approach.

Quick ways to identify the opener type

• Look at the rail above the door:
  • Chain drive: metal chain like a bicycle chain
  • Belt drive: rubber or reinforced belt (often quieter)
  • Screw drive: long threaded steel rod
• Check the opener head label (on the motor unit): brand, model number, and sometimes motor type
• Listen and observe: belt drives are typically quieter; chain drives often sound more mechanical
• Check the wall control and safety sensor behavior: blinking patterns and diagnostic LEDs can point to control-board style
• Confirm the model number: use 13953738 when searching parts and troubleshooting on Sears PartsDirect

What “type” usually means (and what to record)

What you’re identifying	Where to look	Why it matters
Drive type (chain/belt/screw)	Rail and trolley area	Determines common wear items and repair steps
Motor/control (AC vs DC)	Opener head label, diagnostic LED behavior	Affects error codes and troubleshooting flow
Remote technology (learn button vs DIP switches)	Under light lens or rear panel	Determines how you program remotes/keypads
Safety sensor setup	Sensors near floor on each side	Explains “won’t close” and reversal problems

If you see DIP switches vs a “Learn” button

• DIP switches (small switch bank): older style; remote must match the same switch pattern.
• Learn button (colored button near an LED): newer style; you program remotes to the opener.

Use error codes to narrow it down

If your opener has a diagnostic LED or light-flash pattern, use Craftsman error codes to match the flashes to a specific failure area (safety sensors, travel module, RPM sensor, logic board, wiring).

Why it matters

Correctly identifying the opener type prevents buying the wrong remote or keypad, speeds up troubleshooting (especially for sensor and travel issues), and helps you choose the right repair guide for your drive system.

Last updated: February 2026

Your garage door opener’s model number is printed on an ID label on the power head (the main motor unit mounted to the ceiling). On many Craftsman openers, including model family 139-series units like 13953738, the label is on the side, back, or under the light lens.

Where to look on the opener

Check these common spots on the power head unit:

• Side panel near the wiring terminals
• Back panel near the hanging bracket
• Under the light cover or behind the light lens
• Inside a flip-down cover (if your unit has one)
• Near the learn button area (sometimes on the same label)

What the label usually includes

The model label typically lists more than just the model number. Use these fields to match parts correctly.

Label item	What it’s used for	Example of what you might see
Model number	Identifies the exact opener version	13953738 or similar 139.xxxxxxx
Serial number	Manufacturing trace and version	Letters and numbers
Electrical rating	Confirms power requirements	120V, Hz, amps
Logic board or motor type	Helps with troubleshooting	AC or DC motor notes

If you cannot find the label on the power head

Use these practical backups to identify the opener:

• Check the wall control panel; some have a small model/series marking
• Look at the safety sensor housings for a part/series marking (helps narrow the family)
• Check the remote control model number (useful for programming compatibility)
• If the opener lights blink or you see diagnostic flashes, match them using Craftsman error codes

Why it matters

The model number determines which parts and accessories fit (logic board, travel module, safety sensors, wall control, remote compatibility). Using the exact model number prevents ordering the wrong garage door opener parts and speeds up troubleshooting.

For Craftsman model 13953738, you can use the parts list for this model, or search by the model number on Sears PartsDirect to find diagrams and compatible replacements.

Last updated: February 2026

You can buy replacement parts for your Craftsman garage door opener model 13953738 by searching the model-specific parts list and diagrams, then ordering the exact part that matches your opener’s configuration. If you also need parts for other Craftsman openers, search by model on Sears PartsDirect.

How we recommend buying the right part

• Confirm the opener model number is 13953738 (from the motor unit label).
• Use the parts diagrams to identify the exact assembly (rail, motor head, sensors, wall control, etc.).
• Match the part description to what you see on your opener (mounting style, connector type, wire length).
• Order by the exact part listing for your model to avoid fit and compatibility issues.
• If you are troubleshooting first, identify the symptom before ordering (no power, won’t close, lights blinking).

Common parts people replace on Craftsman openers

Even without a part list shown here, these are the most frequently replaced garage door opener items:

Symptom	Most common part area	What to check first
Door won’t close	Safety sensors	Sensor alignment, dirty lenses, sun glare
Remote won’t work	Remote/keypad/wall control	Battery, reprogramming, lock/vacation mode
Motor runs but door doesn’t move	Drive system	Chain/belt tension, worn gears
Lights blink repeatedly	Control logic/sensors	Count blinks and match to code

Use error codes to avoid buying the wrong part

If your Craftsman opener is flashing diagnostic lights or showing a code, use the code to narrow the failure to a sensor circuit, travel module, wall control, or motor/logic issue before ordering parts. See Craftsman error codes.

Why it matters

Garage door opener parts are highly model-specific. Ordering by Craftsman 13953738 helps ensure the replacement part matches your opener’s wiring, mounting points, and safety sensor setup.

Last updated: February 2026

Common problems on a Craftsman garage door opener like model 13953738 usually fall into three buckets: safety sensor issues (door will not close), drive or gear wear (grinding, slipping, door stops), and control or remote problems (no response, intermittent operation). We start by checking sensors, door balance, and error-code patterns.

Most common symptoms and what they usually mean

• Door will not close; lights blink: safety sensors blocked, misaligned, or wiring issue.
• Opener hums but door does not move: stripped drive gear, broken belt/chain connection, or a jammed trolley.
• Grinding or clicking noise: worn drive gear/worm gear, loose sprocket, or dry rail.
• Remote/keypad works sometimes: weak battery, interference, or receiver/logic board issue.
• Door reverses or stops mid-travel: force setting too sensitive, binding door, or travel limit out of adjustment.
• Wall control dead: power issue, bad wiring, or failed control board.

Quick checks we recommend first (fast and safe)

1. Confirm power: outlet works, opener lights on, and no tripped breaker/GFCI.
2. Inspect safety sensors: both lenses clean, both LEDs steady, brackets not bent.
3. Try manual door movement: pull the emergency release and lift the door by hand; it should move smoothly and stay about halfway.
4. Listen during operation: grinding points to gear wear; repeated clicking often points to travel/force problems.
5. Check for blinking light patterns and match them to Craftsman error codes.

Troubleshooting map (symptom to next step)

Symptom	Most likely area	Best next step
Won’t close	Safety sensors	Align sensors; clear obstructions; verify steady LEDs
Won’t open	Door binding or drive	Test door balance; inspect rail/trolley; listen for gear noise
Reverses	Force/travel settings	Adjust force/travel; verify door moves freely
Remote won’t work	Remote/receiver	Replace battery; reprogram; reduce interference

Why it matters

Most “opener problems” are actually door or sensor problems. Fixing alignment, balance, and friction first prevents repeated shutdowns, stripped gears, and premature motor wear.

For model 13953738 parts lookup and diagrams, use the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

For a Craftsman garage door opener like model 13953738, compatibility is determined by the opener’s control system (learn button vs dip switches) and the accessory type (remote, keypad, wall control, safety sensors). We match parts and accessories by the exact model number first, then confirm the programming method before you buy on Sears PartsDirect.

What to match for Craftsman 13953738 compatibility

Start with the opener’s motor head label and the programming method it uses.

• Exact model number: 13953738 (use this for all searches)
• Programming style: learn button programming vs dip switch coding
• Accessory type: remote, wireless keypad, wall control, safety sensors, smart controller
• Existing remote clues: dip switches inside the remote usually mean fixed-code
• Door behavior clues: a door that will not close often points to sensors, not the remote

Quick compatibility guide (what to look for)

Use this to narrow down what will work with your opener.

What you find on the opener/remote	System type	What that means when shopping
Dip switches on opener or remote	Fixed-code	Choose a fixed-code compatible remote/keypad
Learn button on motor head, no switches	Rolling code	Choose a rolling-code compatible remote/keypad
Door reverses or opener lights blink during closing	Safety/force issue	Fix sensors or force settings before replacing remotes

Steps we recommend before buying

These steps prevent ordering the wrong accessory and also catch common “it won’t work” issues.

• Confirm the model label on the motor unit reads 13953738.
• Check whether your current remote has dip switches (open the battery door to look).
• If the door will not close, inspect and align the photo eyes; use a sensor troubleshooting resource such as garage door wont close safety sensor troubleshooting video lights blink 10 times.
• If remotes will not program or respond, follow a programming walkthrough such as how to program garage door opener remotes video.
• If the opener shows diagnostic flashes or codes, identify them using Craftsman error codes.

Why it matters

Garage door opener accessories are not universal. Matching the correct control system (fixed-code vs rolling code) avoids programming failures and prevents misdiagnosing a safety sensor problem as a remote compatibility problem.

Last updated: February 2026