How to Program HomeLink with Rolling Code Garage Doors
/* Posted October 1st, 2008 at 8:34am *//* Filed under Automotive, Gadgets */
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HomeLink is a universal garage door opening system comes in a variety of vehicles, usually as a luxury add-on. HomeLink can be found on a number of car manufacturers and works with a number of garage door manufacturers. New technology in garage door openers has resulted in a rolling code security system, obsoleting the old dip switch remote controls that could be “guessed” open by anyone willing to try all the combinations. Rolling code garage door remote controls don’t have any dip switches to set, instead they must “learn” how to open a garage door from the actual garage door motor unit. While programming the stock Chamberlain or Genie garage door remotes with the corresponding manufacturer is usually an easy process, getting your vehicle’s HomeLink to play nice with a rolling code system is a different story.
- If this is your first time setting up your HomeLink, or you bought a used car with HomeLink that you want to program, you may want to consider resetting the HomeLink device by pressing and holding the two outermost buttons simultaneously until the indicator light flashes for 20 seconds. There’s no need to do this more than once, for instance when you try to program another button.
- Make sure your vehicle is within a reasonable distance from the garage door with rolling code you are programming the HomeLink for. You will eventually need to trigger the garage door opener’s “learn” button and the range for any learning remote is generally within 10 feet.
- Take a stock garage door remote control and hold it within 3 inches of your HomeLink unit. Then press and hold the button to open the garage door and simultaneously press and hold the desired HomeLink button you wish to program. Continue to hold both buttons as the indicator light flashes slowly, then rapidly, then not at all. Then release both buttons. Be forewarned that your garage door will open or close when you do this, so make sure there is nothing or no one under it.
- The previous step was necessary to bring the HomeLink into the proper mode to program with a rolling code. Regular dip switch remotes would have programmed the HomeLink with just the last step and you’d be done. But since the HomeLink is compatible with all kinds of garage doors, it needed to fail the last step to prep for this step. Now locate the “learn” button on your garage door opener motor unit and press it (maybe grab a friend for this step). You’ll have usually 30-60 seconds to program a remote after you press this button. Run to your vehicle and again press and hold the HomeLink button you are training. It should take only a few seconds for the HomeLink to finally learn the rolling code. Usually your garage door light will blink and you will hear a relay clicking sound (like what you hear when you use your turn signals) when this occurs. When this happens your HomeLink button is now programmed to open your rolling code garage door.
I have tested this process to work with Chamberlain and Genie garage door units on a Toyota and Honda.
Image/Flickr/kgantz
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The detailed instruction here was extremely helpful in programming the garage door opener for my X5 and 135i. BMW instruction was not so clear. Thank you very much! – Shekar – 15Feb2009
Hi, I have a new Toyota Highlander. ihave tried to program the HomeLink with my garage remote several times. i followed the instruction excatly. It failed. I need ur help ?????
Jimmy
I recently purchased a highlander also and perhaps this is not your issue (which I hoped you have solved since your post 5 months ago) but one feature I discovered is that my garage door must be open to ‘teach’ homelink. Perhaps this is a little extra security added by the maker.
This Video Explains the process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbRUjmLA9ig
I have programmed many cars to rolling code openers. My problem is adding a few more cars to a system. Is there a limit on the number of cars that can be programmed for one door? We have about 4 now and the system does not accept any more.
Thanks these were the successful instructions. All others failed on my Lexus.
Hey man…Just wanted to tell you, I have been working on Hondas for 25 years and I have a 08 Pilot that I could not program my home link, and a 08 Lexus with the same problem. I have never heard of this procedure before and it made sense, so I tried it and it worked perfect. Thanks so much , I will spread the word at work. BTW… this information is not published anywhere in the manuals or in service bulletins. Thanks again
Ed, Honda Tech NH
I found the instructions in my volvo v50 manual for homelink. after programming the first step, press the program button on the motor unit until the LED goes on, then run to the car and press the programmed button on homelink 3 times. This worked for both the V50 and Audi S4.
Thanks for the info.. this will work with a 2005 Kia also