A universal controller for an automatic door system including a door carried on a frame for movement along a predetermined path of movement between open and closed positions. The universal controller includes a housing for mounting the controller in a stationary position relative to the door frame and an assembly including a processor carried by the housing for processing data operatively received from a plurality of sensors and relating to the operation of the movable door. The processor is configured to generate operational values which are transmitted to and control a drive motor used to move the door between the open and closed positions. The assembly further includes an arrangement for adjusting the operational values generated by the processor and transmitted to the drive motor. A modular harness connects the controller to the drive motor and to the sensors. An apparatus operably coupled to the modular harness identifies the particular drive motor and sensors used in combination with the automatic door system. A method for automatically controlling operation of an automatic door system having at least one door movable between open and closed positions in response to operation of an output drive of a bi-directional drive motor is also provided.