Garage Opener Programming

[nomoracin]

Okay, I've encountered my second problem now…(I'm a new owner of a 2011 35i)

How the heck do I program the garage opener???

First, I cleared it by pressing buttons 1 and 2 for 20 seconds.

Then I…

- press and hold both button 1 and garage door opener button…nothing happens

- hit the learn button on the garage unit and then press and hold button 1…nothing

- hit the learn button on the garage unit and pressed the button 1 three times…nothing

What gives? Help please!

TIA

[Marcoose]

I’ve followed the manual instructions and it worked fine. Do you have a manual?

[AM26]

I also have the same problem with 2011 model

[KennyP]

There are a few ways to program door openers depending on what type of transmitter your door system uses... Single signal or alternating signal...

i think all my 3 buttons are occupied with the single signal type... and they were easy to program... hold buttons simultaneusly on the mirror and on transmitter remote that is located right next to the mirror.

But there is a second way to program those buttons..

Its in the owners manual:

https://www.carmanualsonline.info/bm...-manual/11#101

[nomoracin]

Originally Posted by KennyP

There are a few ways to program door openers depending on what type of transmitter your door system uses... Single signal or alternating signal...

i think all my 3 buttons are occupied with the single signal type... and they were easy to program... hold buttons simultaneusly on the mirror and on transmitter remote that is located right next to the mirror.

But there is a second way to program those buttons..

Its in the owners manual:

https://www.carmanualsonline.info/bm...-manual/11#101

Yea, I feel like I tried all those methods from the manual...unless I messed up somewhere. I'll run through those steps again. Thanks!

[GerryC]

What color is the program button on your door opener?

If it's a round yellow button, it uses the newer SECURITY+2.0 coding. It came out around 2011.

The Homelink system in the Z4 uses the older 315 MHz security system. And BMW didn't update the system at all, so I have the same issue with my 2016 Z4.

The solution is a Homelink Repeater. It's a unit you plug in your garage. You program the Z4 to it and the Repeater to your opener. Bit of a nuisance, but it works.

Gerry

[nomoracin]

Originally Posted by GerryC

What color is the program button on your door opener?

If it's a round yellow button, it uses the newer SECURITY+2.0 coding. It came out around 2011.

The Homelink system in the Z4 uses the older 315 MHz security system. And BMW didn't update the system at all, so I have the same issue with my 2016 Z4.

The solution is a Homelink Repeater. It's a unit you plug in your garage. You program the Z4 to it and the Repeater to your opener. Bit of a nuisance, but it works.

Gerry

darn...i was hoping this wasn't it. i ran into this problem with my '04 GX470 too, but i figured a 2011 model should be fine. meh!

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by nomoracin

darn...i was hoping this wasn't it. i ran into this problem with my '04 GX470 too, but i figured a 2011 model should be fine. meh!

I just got caught by it as I had to replace my door opener. The old one was from 2009 so it worked ok.

The wife's G05 X5, supports the new system so it worked straight away, but no luck with the Z4. I had to get the repeater.

Which model cars have what is a bit of a guessing game as BMW rolled in the updated parts when it was convenient. What I was able to determine is to check the build sheet/VIN decode.

If the car has code 876 RADIO FREQUENCY 315 MHZ, it is the old system and you'll need the repeater to work with newer openers with the Yellow program button.

If it has code 319 INTEGRATED UNIVERSAL REMOTE, it will work with all openers after built after 1992 with program buttons.

[nomoracin]

Originally Posted by GerryC

I just got caught by it as I had to replace my door opener. The old one was from 2009 so it worked ok.

The wife's G05 X5, supports the new system so it worked straight away, but no luck with the Z4. I had to get the repeater.

Which model cars have what is a bit of a guessing game as BMW rolled in the updated parts when it was convenient. What I was able to determine is to check the build sheet/VIN decode.

If the car has code 876 RADIO FREQUENCY 315 MHZ, it is the old system and you'll need the repeater to work with newer openers with the Yellow program button.

If it has code 319 INTEGRATED UNIVERSAL REMOTE, it will work with all openers after built after 1992 with program buttons.

uhhh...mine has both! haha

[KennyP]

Mine has only 319 listed on that same vindecoder website and on others too.

[nomoracin]

Originally Posted by KennyP

Mine has only 319 listed on that same vindecoder website and on others too.

Originally Posted by KennyP

Mine has only 319 listed on that same vindecoder website and on others too.

And yours work?

…meaning only having 319 will it work?

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by nomoracin

And yours work?

…meaning only having 319 will it work?

I would say that should be true.

If it has 876 it won't work as the 315 MHz was phased out starting in 2010 for the newer multifrequency openers.

from Liftmaster:

Between 1993 and 2005, most garage door manufacturers used the 390 MHz radio frequency to operate remote controls for residential garage door openers. During that time, Chamberlain used Billion code and Rolling Code technology. In 2005, many manufacturers, including Chamberlain, switched their radio frequency to 315 MHz, in response to the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security use of the 390 Mhz frequency to operate their nationwide Land Mobile Radio (LMR) system. Then, in 2010, Chamberlain introduced Security +2.0, a narrow band signal that works on 3 different frequencies to reduce interference that causes short range.

I expect there was some time after that before Homelink had a version that supported the new standard. BMW is also unlikely to do a rolling change, waiting for a model change instead.

I have a 2016 Z4 and it does call out both 319 and 876. So I expect that none of e89 Z4s got the newer remote.

I went back and pulled up build sheets on all my past vehicles. The 2017, 2018, and 2022 all show 319 but not 876. They had new remotes.

The 2006, 2010, and the 2016 (my Z4) show both 319 and 876. They were the old 315 MHz remotes.

The 2002, and the 2 2004s show 876 but not 319 as the remotes were sold as accessories and dealer installed. They were a small module that installed between the map lights in the e46. For my 2004 Z4, I had to replace the mirror.

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by nomoracin

And yours work?

…meaning only having 319 will it work?

Well i dont exactly use it for opening garage doors... I have 1 motorized yard gate and 2 different boom barriers programmed there and they all work fine...

Though all these gates and barriers probably use a simple signal that isnt that secure to operate. They can be easily copied and then used.

For garage doors you would probably want something more secure that cant be easily copied and used. And thats where the compatibility problems start...

[nomoracin]

Originally Posted by GerryC

What color is the program button on your door opener?

If it's a round yellow button, it uses the newer SECURITY+2.0 coding. It came out around 2011.

The Homelink system in the Z4 uses the older 315 MHz security system. And BMW didn't update the system at all, so I have the same issue with my 2016 Z4.

The solution is a Homelink Repeater. It's a unit you plug in your garage. You program the Z4 to it and the Repeater to your opener. Bit of a nuisance, but it works.

Gerry

Is this what I need?

https://www.amazon.com/Garage-Opener...73D0&srpt=DOOR

[nomoracin]

Originally Posted by nomoracin

Is this what I need?

https://www.amazon.com/Garage-Opener...&srpt=DOOR

Originally Posted by nomoracin

Is this what I need?

https://www.amazon.com/Garage-Opener...&srpt=DOOR

It worked!!!

Tyty!!!