Question 1

When you press UP or DOWN, what happens?

Accepted Answer

Possible answers include: nothing (dead), motor hums but doesn't turn, only one direction works, goes the wrong direction, trips the breaker, or runs but won't stop. Each answer leads to a different diagnosis path.

Question 2

The motor runs the wrong direction. How do I fix it?

Accepted Answer

On a single-phase reversible motor, swap the T5 and T8 start-winding leads at the motor. Never swap L1 and L2 — that won't fix direction and can confuse other wiring.

Question 3

The lift hums but won't turn. What's wrong?

Accepted Answer

Usually a bad start capacitor or a stuck centrifugal start switch. If a manual kickstart gets it running, replace the start capacitor first; if not, the start winding may be open and the motor likely needs replacement.

Question 4

The breaker trips. Is it the motor or the wiring?

Accepted Answer

An instant trip usually means a shorted capacitor or both UP and DOWN contactors closing together. A trip after a few seconds of running points to overload — mechanical bind, voltage drop on a long undersized run, or a tired motor.

Question 5

Only UP or only DOWN works. Where do I look?

Accepted Answer

Suspect a tripped or stuck limit switch first, then the contactor for the dead direction, then the matching receiver channel. Swap UP and DOWN output wires at the receiver — if the fault follows, replace the receiver; if it stays, replace the contactor.