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Ghost Controls Keypad & Intercom Repair: The Agoura Hills Owner’s Guide
Ghost Controls keypad and intercom repair in Agoura Hills typically runs $165 to $385 installed, and in most cases we complete the swap the same day we arrive. The figure depends on whether we are replacing a wired keypad, a wireless keypad, or the intercom module itself, and whether the existing wiring can be reused. Most Agoura Hills homeowners discover the problem the same way: the gate works fine from the remote and the keypad beeps, but the code no longer opens the gate. Or the intercom crackles, drops audio, or the call button does nothing at all.
We stock Ghost Controls-compatible keypads and intercom components on our trucks, and we are one of the few shops in the Conejo Valley that does, because Victor Salinas made the call years ago that a parts run to a distributor in the Valley mid-job is a waste of the customer’s afternoon. If it rolls or swings, we can sort it out – and we will tell you exactly what we found before we touch a thing.
Key takeaways:
- Installed keypad and intercom repair runs $165 to $385 in Agoura Hills, quoted and agreed before work starts.
- Most Ghost Controls keypad failures are water intrusion or dead batteries, not the circuit board.
- We carry OEM and quality aftermarket Ghost Controls parts, and we match them to your exact model before we begin.
- Every repair is backed by our written 90-Day Done Right Promise.
Which Ghost Controls Models This Applies To
Ghost Controls has two main lines that show up on Agoura Hills driveways: the original AXDP/AXZL series and the newer TSS1/TSK series. The keypads are not interchangeable between them, and that is the first thing we check on the bench. The older AXDP keypad is a hardwired, die-cast unit with a blue backlight. The newer TSS1 keypad is also hardwired but uses a different four-pin connector and a quieter tactile key. If you have a wireless Ghost Controls keypad, it will carry the model prefix TSK and runs on a 9-volt battery that lives in the lower housing.
The easiest way to identify what you have is the label on the back of the keypad or inside the intercom faceplate. It lists the part number and the voltage. If the label is gone, the connector shape tells us everything. The intercom modules follow the same split: AXZT for the original line, TSZT for the newer. A common compatibility gotcha we see in Agoura Hills: homeowners buy a used AXDP keypad on eBay for a TSS1 opener and cannot figure out why the connector will not seat. The pins are offset differently. We keep both series on the truck so the correct part goes in regardless of the gate’s age.
Just so it is clear: Ironworks Gate Co. is an independent gate service provider. We are not affiliated with Ghost Controls, but we have been trained on their hardware and we keep their parts in rotation alongside LiftMaster, Mighty Mule, and DoorKing.
Signs Your Ghost Controls Keypad & Intercom Repair Is Failing
- Keypad beeps but the gate does not move. This is usually a failed relay on the control board, not the keypad itself. The board hears the code, beeps to confirm, then never sends the signal to the motor. We test the relay output before recommending any parts so you do not pay for a keypad you do not need.
- No beep, no backlight, dead keys. On wired Ghost Controls keypads this is typically a break in the low-voltage line between the keypad and the board, often at the hinge side where the wire flexes every time the gate opens. In Agoura Hills, with our summer heat cycling, that insulation eventually cracks and corrosion finishes the job.
- Intermittent operation, usually worse after rain. Water has found its way past the gasket on the keypad face. The fix is a new gasket and a good cleaning of the contact pads, or a replacement unit if the corrosion is too deep. This failure is more common in hillside neighborhoods like Ladyface and Old Agoura where gates face the prevailing weather.
- Intercom rings through but the audio is garbled or silent. The intercom handset speaker or the microphone module has failed, often after years of direct sun on the call box. Ghost Controls intercom speakers are small and not rated for the UV load that a westward-facing Agoura Hills pedestal gets.
- Call button on the intercom does nothing, but the keypad still works. The button switch itself has worn out or the intercom module has lost power. A quick continuity test at the call box tells us which, and we swap the failed part on the spot in most cases.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
Here is what we quote in Agoura Hills, and what the price covers:
- Hardwired keypad replacement (AXDP or TSS1): $165 to $245 installed, including the keypad, weather sealing, and wiring verification at the board.
- Wireless keypad replacement (TSK): $195 to $280 installed, including programming and a fresh battery.
- Intercom module replacement (AXZT or TSZT): $245 to $385 installed, including the module, speaker testing, and door station alignment.
- Repair instead of replacement (new gasket, cleaned contacts, rewired hinge point): $120 to $180, labor and small parts included.
The spread on these numbers comes down to one thing: whether the wire between the keypad and the board is still healthy. If we have to pull a new low-voltage line through a gate post and under a driveway expansion joint, the labor goes up. We always quote the total before we turn a screw, and that number is the number on the invoice. The 90-Day Done Right Promise covers every repair we complete, written, no fine print to argue over.
DIY or Call Us?
Ghost Controls keypads and intercoms run on low voltage, so there is no shock hazard like you would have with a 120-volt opener circuit. But the failure mode that sends most homeowners up the ladder is not the keypad itself – it is the wiring, the board relay, or a grounding problem at the control box. You can safely do three things before calling us: replace the wireless keypad battery, tighten the two screws on the keypad faceplate, and wipe the keypad contacts with a dry cloth. If the gate still will not respond, the next step involves a multimeter at the control board, and that is where a well-meaning weekend fix turns into a dead opener and a bigger bill.
One more thing worth knowing: Ghost Controls boards are sensitive. A loose wire arcing inside the box can take out the entire control board, and that is a $300 to $500 part instead of a $165 keypad. If the keypad is not responding, call us at (213) 293-3886 and we will diagnose it properly the first time. The estimate is free.
FAQs
We typically see 8 to 12 years out of the hardwired keypads and 5 to 8 years from intercom speakers that sit in direct sun. The wireless keypads depend on mounting location; shaded units can run 10 years, while a west-facing pedestal unit often needs replacement at year 6 due to UV damage to the keypad face and gasket.
Often yes. If the failure is a corroded contact, a perished gasket, a broken hinge wire, or a dead speaker, we can repair the unit for less than a full replacement. If the board itself is gone, replacement is nearly always cheaper and faster. We will tell you which it is before we start, and you will see the written price first. Call (213) 293-3886 for a straight answer.
A keypad or intercom swap typically takes 45 to 90 minutes on site, including programming and testing at the gate and the control board. Exceptions are jobs where the subsurface wiring has failed and we need to run a new line; those can stretch to two hours, and we will tell you before we begin.
We stock both the AXDP/AXZL and TSS1/TSK series keypads and intercom modules on our trucks, along with replacement gaskets, batteries, and speakers. Most repairs occur in one visit, with no return trip needed.
If your Ghost Controls keypad is dead or the intercom has gone quiet, call (213) 293-3886. A live person answers, day or night, and we will schedule a time that works for you. Free estimates, upfront pricing, and the written 90-Day Done Right Promise on every job. Ask about the $50 Off Any Repair Over $250 and the permanent 5% Senior and Veteran discount.
Written by Victor Salinas, Owner, Ironworks Gate Co. at Ironworks Gate Co., serving Agoura Hills and nearby areas.
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