For a LiftMaster 973LM, Chamberlain Group's Security+ 390 MHz compatibility chart says discontinued models in this group are replaced by available MAX accessories. The current 893MAX is a three-button option that supports Security+ 390 MHz and LiftMaster openers made since January 1993. Verify the actual opener or receiver before ordering if the old 973LM controlled an external receiver or gate.
Diagnostic snapshot
- Answer
- LiftMaster 973LM is a Security+ 390 MHz legacy remote that Chamberlain Group marks unavailable; current MAX-family accessories are the manufacturer-documented replacement path, with 893MAX providing a current three-button option.
- Check first
- Confirm the old remote really says 973LM and identify whether it paired directly to a residential opener or to a separate receiver.
- Strong clue
- The current 893MAX explicitly supports Security+ 390 MHz and LiftMaster garage door openers manufactured since January 1993.
- Model / generation note
- Do not extend the 973LM replacement rule to white-button Security+ 3.0 openers or unidentified third-party receivers without checking their exact chart row.
Start replacement from the old remote model, then verify the receiver generation
What exact model is printed on the old LiftMaster / Chamberlain remote?
A current universal/MAX remote can replace multiple older accessories, but the migration path should start from the documented old model or receiver generation—not case shape or button count.
What you are likely to notice
- The old remote is labeled 973LM
- You want a current OEM replacement rather than a used 973LM
- The opener/receiver is from the Security+ 390 MHz generation
- Marketplace listings show many visually similar remotes with unclear compatibility
Check these in order
1. Confirm the old accessory really says 973LM
Use the model printed on the remote case or battery area. Do not substitute a nearby-looking 371LM, 373LM or 971LM because Chamberlain Group separates accessory families by radio generation, not by case shape.
2. Identify the receiver or opener generation
Chamberlain Group lists the 973LM under Security+ 390 MHz rolling-code receivers. On a residential opener, a red/orange LEARN-button generation is a useful cross-check, but an external receiver can change the compatibility path.
3. Use a current MAX-family option
The official compatibility chart marks 973LM unavailable and states that available MAX accessories replace discontinued models in this family. The 893MAX is the closest current three-button path for a homeowner who wants similar multi-door capacity.
4. Program the replacement using the new remote's procedure
Do not copy old 973LM button sequences from memory. The 893MAX has its own program-button workflow and uses a learn-button-color selection step before pairing to the opener.
Why 893MAX is a better replacement target than another used 973LM
The manufacturer chart is more useful than a used-parts marketplace because it tells you the radio family, not just the old part number. The 973LM appears in LiftMaster's Security+ 390 MHz rolling-code table, and Chamberlain Group marks that model as no longer available while directing discontinued accessories in the group to current MAX replacements. The 893MAX remains a current three-button remote and explicitly supports Security+ 390 MHz.
That preserves the important compatibility characteristic without requiring you to hunt for new-old-stock electronics. A used 973LM can still work when it is healthy, but age, battery contacts and button wear become extra variables. A current replacement also gives you current programming documentation and a supported product page.
The receiver matters more than the remote's plastic shell
A 973LM may have been paired directly to a ceiling opener or to a separate receiver used for a gate or older operator. That distinction matters. The compatibility chart is organized around receiver technology, so identify the actual device receiving the signal whenever the installation is more complicated than one residential opener.
For a typical post-1993 LiftMaster residential opener, 893MAX provides broad compatibility across green, red/orange, purple and yellow learn-button generations. Do not extend that statement to white-button Security+ 3.0 openers or unrelated third-party receivers without checking the current chart for that exact hardware.
A three-point check before you order the replacement
First, match the old model label: 973LM. Second, match the receiving hardware to the Security+ 390 MHz generation or a current compatibility row. Third, decide whether you still need three buttons. Those three checks protect against the most common replacement mistake: buying a current remote that looks right but was chosen without identifying what actually receives its signal.
If all three checks line up, the 893MAX path is straightforward. If the old remote was tied to an external receiver, record that receiver model as part of the purchase decision. That small step makes the lookup reproducible later and gives you a useful fact if programming fails.
Stop DIY troubleshooting when…
- The old remote operated a commercial gate or external receiver you cannot identify
- The opener predates the documented compatible generation
- The LEARN button/receiver information conflicts with the 973LM label
- You would need to bypass or modify receiver wiring to make a replacement work
Garage door springs, cables and a falling/unbalanced door can store or release dangerous force. Those are door-system problems, not just opener settings.
Common questions
Is 893MAX a direct replacement for 973LM?
Chamberlain Group marks 973LM as no longer available in the Security+ 390 MHz table and says current MAX accessories replace discontinued models in that family. 893MAX is a current three-button MAX remote that supports Security+ 390 MHz.
Can I use 890MAX instead?
890MAX is also a current MAX-family remote with broad post-1993 LiftMaster compatibility, but it is a mini remote. Choose based on button count/form factor after confirming the receiver generation.
Does the replacement copy the old remote automatically?
No. The new remote must be programmed to the opener or receiver using its documented procedure. There is no reason to clone the old transmitter by appearance.
Manufacturer sources used
These links are the factual baseline for the diagnostic claims above. Model-specific manuals can supersede general guidance.