A method for upgrading an elevator control circuit having a phase , alternate and phase input circuits, includes placing a first impedance of a switching device across a door motor armature of the elevator control circuit for enabling a selected door closure speed, and placing a second impedance of the switching device in series with a door motor field of the elevator control circuit for enabling a selected door operating torque. The method further provides a logic circuit enabling the impedances when an input signal is present at, at least one of, the phase and the alternate input circuits; and disabling the impedances when an input signal is present at the phase input circuit.