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FAAC Gate Motor Replacement: The Burbank Owner’s Guide
Most FAAC gate motor replacements in Burbank run between $1,100 and $2,400 installed, depending on the model series and whether the mounting hardware survived. We stock FAAC-compatible motors and OEM FAAC replacement parts on the truck for same-day swaps on most residential swing gates. What usually brings the call: the gate starts moving slower than it did last summer, then one morning it hums but doesn’t move, or trips its breaker, or simply sits dead with the keypad still lighting up. The motor itself rarely fails without warning. In Burbank’s heat, the capacitor goes first, then the limit switches drift, and eventually the winding insulation gives out. By the time a homeowner phones us, the gate has often been running on optimism for about three years.
We’re an independent gate repair company, not affiliated with FAAC. That means we match the motor to your existing setup rather than steering you toward whatever we happen to prefer. If your FAAC 400 series is still worth saving with a capacitor and limit switch reset, we’ll tell you that and charge less than a full motor swap. If the motor is done, we’ll install the right replacement and document every setting before we leave.
Which FAAC Models This Applies To
The most common FAAC motors we replace in Burbank are the 400 series (Swing Gate Operator 412, 415, 422) and the 750/760 series on heavier residential gates. There’s a compatibility gotcha worth knowing: some FAAC 400-series motors were sold under the “FAAC Simply” line with a different control board pinout, so a motor labeled 412 may not drop into an older 412 housing without re-pinning the connector. We check the data plate before ordering anything. The data plate sits on the underside of the motor housing and carries the model number, voltage (115V or 24V), and serial. A photo of that plate is the single fastest way for us to price the job accurately over the phone.
The OEM-versus-aftermarket question comes up on every FAAC estimate. FAAC’s own replacement motors are precise, well-sealed, and expensive. Quality aftermarket equivalents from brands like US Automatic and Nortek exist for the 400 series and usually save $150 to $300, but the capacitor specs and travel-stop tolerances vary. For Burbank summers, where a black gate box in direct sun can hit 140°F plus, we lean toward OEM seals and thermal protection on anything that faces south or west. We’ll show you the price for both and tell you honestly which makes sense for your gate’s exposure and cycle count.
Signs Your FAAC Gate Motor Replacement Is Failing

Here’s what we find on the Burbank service route when a FAAC motor is nearing the end. Most of these show up weeks or months before total failure:
- The gate slows noticeably in the last third of travel. This is usually the motor drawing more current as internal resistance builds, or a capacitor losing microfarad capacity. We test the capacitor before condemning the motor. In Magnolia Park alone, we’ve replaced enough heat-swollen FAAC capacitors to recognize them by the slight dome on the casing.
- A humming noise with no movement. This points to a failed start capacitor or a seized gear. If the capacitor tests good, the motor bearings or gearbox are the culprit. On FAAC 750-series units, this often means the worm gear has eaten its thrust washer.
- The gate opens but won’t close, or closes but opens again. This is usually a limit switch problem, not a dead motor. The switch is a $30 part and a 20-minute adjustment. We check limit-switch readings before recommending a motor replacement, because a good percentage of “dead” FAAC motors are actually just mis-set switches.
- Tripped breaker or GFCI when the gate cycles. If the breaker trips only while the gate moves, the motor is pulling too many amps. A high amp draw under load means worn windings or a failing run capacitor. We confirm with a clamp meter before calling it a motor failure.
- The gate shudders or jerks mid-travel. This can be a broken motor capacitor, a damaged gear tooth, or on FAAC’s articulated arm models, a worn articulation joint. We identify which before ordering parts so you don’t pay for a motor when the real fix was an arm pin.
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
Replacement cost for FAAC motors in Burbank breaks down roughly like this:
- FAAC 400-series motor replacement: $1,100 to $1,600 installed, including labor and new mounting hardware if the old bolts are corroded.
- FAAC 750/760-series motor replacement: $1,600 to $2,400 installed, factoring in the heavier gate duty and typically larger motor.
- Capacitor-only repair: $140 to $260, depending on access and capacitor rating.
- Limit switch replacement and reset: $120 to $240, including setting travel stops and photographing the final positions.
The spread within each range depends on how much of the old mounting hardware is reusable, whether the control board needs re-termination, and whether the gate itself is out of alignment. An out-of-alignment gate destroys a new motor in months, so part of every motor replacement includes checking hinge wear and gate level. The written price we hand you before any work starts includes the motor, the labor, the hardware, the setup, and the cleanup. Under Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, you see the flat price in writing before we touch a tool, and that price doesn’t change unless we find something you approve in writing first.
DIY or Call Us?

FAAC gate motors run on 115V or 24V, depending on the board. Either way, the capacitor holds a charge after the breaker is off, and an accidental discharge is a genuine shock risk. This is not a part we recommend replacing DIY. The electrical and mechanical hazards aside, the finer adjustments matter: limit switch dead-stops, force settings, and the auto-close timer all live on the control board and need to be set for your specific gate weight and travel arc. The most common DIY outcome we see in Burbank is a new motor installed with the old limit settings, which then either slams the gate or fails to close it. The few checks a homeowner can safely do: confirm the breaker isn’t tripped, confirm the keypad has power, and visually check that the arm isn’t binding. Everything after that needs a meter and some FAAC-specific knowledge.
If you’re in Burbank and the FAAC motor is humming, tripping, or dead, call us at (213) 577-1120. We’ll ask for a photo of the data plate, give you a price range over the phone, and schedule the visit.
FAQs
A properly installed FAAC 400-series motor in Burbank typically runs 8 to 12 years, but gates facing south or west with a dark housing in direct sun may see capacitor failures at the 5 to 7-year mark. The heat here shortens capacitor life far more than motor life. Regular limit-switch and hinge maintenance will get you the upper end of that range. If your motor is over 10 years old and showing two or more of the failure signs above, replacement is usually cheaper than chasing repairs. Call (213) 577-1120 and we’ll give you an honest read.
Yes, in roughly one out of three cases the motor itself isn’t the failure. Capacitor, limit switch, and control board issues account for a large percentage of “dead” FAAC motors we see, and those are repairable for a fraction of replacement cost. We test before we quote. If the motor windings or gearbox are genuinely done, replacement is the economical fix and we’ll show you the test readings that brought us to that call.
Most FAAC motor replacements take between two and four hours on site, including removing the old motor, fitting the new one, setting travel stops, setting force, cycle-testing the gate, and documenting everything with photos. If the mounting post or hinge needs welding, the job may stretch longer and we’ll tell you that in the written estimate before we begin.
We stock the most common FAAC 400-series motors, capacitors, limit switches, and control boards on the truck, along with compatible hardware. For less common FAAC models or specific OEM board versions, we may need a day to source the exact part. We’ll tell you on the phone whether the job is same-day or next-day based on your model number. We also carry parts for LiftMaster, Mighty Mule, and Ghost Controls on the truck, so if your property has mixed-brand gates, one visit covers all of them.
Name what you found. Name what it costs. Name what you left behind. That’s the standard every Vance Gate Repair Burbank visit is measured against. If your FAAC motor is dead, call (213) 577-1120 and we’ll walk through the symptoms, get the model number, and give you a written price before we arrive.
Written by Adrian Vance, Owner, Vance Gate Repair Burbank, serving Burbank and nearby areas.





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