Programming Garage Door?....

Wcollins · 02-19-2010, 08:47 AM

Are there any tricks to getting the garage door linked to the car? I'm sure its a non rocket scientist task but I have reviewed the instruction in the manual several times and followed step by step and still cannot get the car to link up. I have a Lexus and Toyoto Tundra that can do it in a couple of clicks and the instructions are easy and plain but it seem BMW tried to make it as complicated as possible. Maybe its the car, me or plain ole bad luck. Anyone else having this problem?

alan64 · 02-19-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wcollins

Are there any tricks to getting the garage door linked to the car? I'm sure its a non rocket scientist task but I have reviewed the instruction in the manual several times and followed step by step and still cannot get the car to link up. I have a Lexus and Toyoto Tundra that can do it in a couple of clicks and the instructions are easy and plain but it seem BMW tried to make it as complicated as possible. Maybe its the car, me or plain ole bad luck. Anyone else having this problem?

same here I have tried and tried and cant get it to work and have read the manual carefully also and nothing

Ibaghi · 02-19-2010, 09:10 AM

It works just after programming but not after 30 min.

BOGONY · 02-19-2010, 09:27 AM

You have to program the main unit and you must also point the hand held remote at the front of the car. I think that you have about 30 seconds to do this. The engine must be running.

Wcollins · 02-19-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOGONY

You have to program the main unit and you must also point the hand held remote at the front of the car. I think that you have about 30 seconds to do this. The engine must be running.

Well I followed the insructions as you have discribed and as the manual says but all that resulted was the rest of the cars had to be reprogrammed because the main unit erased them. Thankfully that only took a few minutes as they have a user friendly process. I guess I'll keep trying but I don't want to have to program the rest of the cars every time I fail. I guess I'm just whining now.

Chuck76 · 02-19-2010, 10:43 AM

It depends on the garage door opener.
Some brands will simply require you to push the feature/scan button on the main unit of the garage opener and then push one of the three numbers underneath the bmw mirror in 30 sec.

I have a liftmaster that scrambles the code, so there are instructions for homelink to connect to these. You need to teach it three times in a row and there are instructions on the net to do this. I almost just said screw it when I couldn't for the life of me get it to work following the bmw manual.

Do a search, you'll find it.

Kief · 02-19-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wcollins

Well I followed the insructions as you have discribed and as the manual says but all that resulted was the rest of the cars had to be reprogrammed because the main unit erased them. Thankfully that only took a few minutes as they have a user friendly process. I guess I'll keep trying but I don't want to have to program the rest of the cars every time I fail. I guess I'm just whining now.

Don't feel bad. I can't get mine to work either. I've given up!!!

Wcollins · 02-19-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck76

It depends on the garage door opener.
Some brands will simply require you to push the feature/scan button on the main unit of the garage opener and then push one of the three numbers underneath the bmw mirror in 30 sec.

I have a liftmaster that scrambles the code, so there are instructions for homelink to connect to these. You need to teach it three times in a row and there are instructions on the net to do this. I almost just said screw it when I couldn't for the life of me get it to work following the bmw manual.

Do a search, you'll find it.

Thats exactly the model I have but even as you suggest I went to their Web site and reviewed the instructions. My wife even tries and couldn't figure it out...and she is alot smarter than me! Now that the weekend is here I guess I can use it to figure it out. I have little patients with this kind of stuff so if I will give it another try and if it dosen't work...I'll just clip and opener to the visor and call it done. Thanks BMW! GEEEZZZZ

Chuck76 · 02-19-2010, 12:38 PM

At the garage door opener receiver (motorhead unit) in the garage, locate the “learn” or “smart” button (usually near where the hanging antenna wire is attached to the unit). If there is difficulty locating the training button reference the garage door opener’s manual or contact us.
6. Press and release the “learn” or “smart” button (the name and color of the button may vary by manufacturer). NOTE: Once the button is pressed, there are 30 seconds in which to initiate the next step.
7. Return to the vehicle and firmly press and hold the trained HomeLink button for two seconds and release. Repeat the “press/hold/release” sequence up to 3 times to complete the training process.

Instructions for the rolling code with liftmaster to homelink. See how step 7 says do it 3x's for rolling code garages.

mcbeee · 02-19-2010, 12:58 PM

I just did mine a couple of weeks ago, Liftmaster with rolling codes..

Easy, right out of the book in the glovebox.

First you have to program the button in the car:
Program the little button on the bottom of the mirror by pointing a remote at the little dot at the top of the mirror and pushing the button you want to program until it flashes. Check the manual for exact wording.
Once you have done this, open the window , you'll see why in a minute.
On the back of the Opener unit (probably, mine is) there is a "learn" button, push it, an LED should come on, don't stand there admiring it, get down and go push the programmed button in the car for a while (Through the open window). The opener should flash it's lights. That's it, you're done.

I did my Zed and my Gf's 325 Ci, it all took about five minutes total.

mcbeee · 02-19-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wcollins

Well I followed the insructions as you have discribed and as the manual says but all that resulted was the rest of the cars had to be reprogrammed because the main unit erased them. Thankfully that only took a few minutes as they have a user friendly process. I guess I'll keep trying but I don't want to have to program the rest of the cars every time I fail. I guess I'm just whining now.

That's what happened with our 325Ci but after doing the Zed I did the 325 the same way and everything works fine. (we have 4 vehicles)

You have to program the button in the car first from one of the handhelds

richard in NC · 02-19-2010, 07:08 PM

I've also found to program the button in the car you have to hold it real close to the mirror. Less than 1 inch (2 cm).

mcbeee · 02-19-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard in NC

I've also found to program the button in the car you have to hold it real close to the mirror. Less than 1 inch (2 cm).

Exactly, I saw that too.

An inch or two right in front of the little sensor at the top of the mirror

tranquility · 08-07-2010, 03:50 PM

I managed to get 1 of the garage openers linked up but for my 2nd opener, I have a pre-historic Stanley model (no 'learn' button): I'm wondering if anyone w/ old garage openers (no 'learn' button) managed to link up w/ the universal remote and how they did it?

16thBMW · 08-07-2010, 04:35 PM

Older openers don't use rolling code communication, they just have the same code programmed into the opener as is in the remote, via a series of toggle switches (this is why you have to take the second step with rolling code openers of coordinating your car with the opener via the learning button). Sometimes just doing the first step, which is teaching your car the code by holding it close to the in car buttons after you've pushed the in car button and its flashing is all it takes. The car unit has learned the non-rolling code. So just try doing step one in the programming manual for the in car Homelink, and then try your in car button and see if it opens the garage door.

Also, if you program a new number in and then some other devices stop working, its because there is limited memory in your Garage Door Opener, and the new code has shoved the oldest code out of memory. Check to see how many codes your Opener can hold.

Freude am Fahren...

siscobmw · 08-08-2010, 02:05 AM

have you tried to look if infos on homelink.com are the same as those on the user manual?
Francesco

tranquility · 08-08-2010, 01:50 PM

I've tried again w/ my old garage opener (it has no 'learn' button), using different angles, distance from the universal remote w/o success.

BMWZ4 · 08-10-2010, 07:29 AM

I have a Chamberlain (rolling codes model) and got mine working straight away; had to visit the Homelink site for additional tips, but got it working no problem.

Dave

tranquility · 08-10-2010, 01:31 PM

I guess I'll try again w/ the car parked differently. Sigh.

MDLFCS · 08-16-2010, 03:06 AM

For me, I could not get them to work with the car outside the garage door, no matter how many times on separate days. I have the newer rolling code opener.

What worked was that the car was inside the garage. So, I was able to quickly open the door back up once I was successfully programmed a button under the mirror and after testing it.

It is helpful to have the top open to get in and out from the opener itself to the homelink to quickly program the button.

I would have the original remote on hand in case the homelink button does not work...

fisherman · 08-16-2010, 10:55 AM

Just did mine yesterday. Took a couple tries, but got it done. With the rolling code openers, you have the extra steps involved.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 08-16-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wcollins

Are there any tricks to getting the garage door linked to the car? I'm sure its a non rocket scientist task but I have reviewed the instruction in the manual several times and followed step by step and still cannot get the car to link up. I have a Lexus and Toyoto Tundra that can do it in a couple of clicks and the instructions are easy and plain but it seem BMW tried to make it as complicated as possible. Maybe its the car, me or plain ole bad luck. Anyone else having this problem?

Did you get it to work yet?

If not don't feel bad, most of us had the same problem. I got help here too and it finally worked.

1) have your car running.
2) make sure your memory is clear on the button you press and select below your rear view mirror (follow instructions in your BMW manual).
3) find your LEARN / TEST button on your unit mounted in the garage and press it (most likely depending on the manufacture something will flash).
4) within 30 seconds you then must press and hold the button you wish to program (below your rear view mirror).

That is all it should work. Let us know.

Cheers,

Rolf-Dieter

02-19-2010, 08:47 AM	#1
Wcollins Wcollins 4 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2010 Z4 35i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Decatur AL iTrader: (0)	Programming Garage Door?.... Are there any tricks to getting the garage door linked to the car? I'm sure its a non rocket scientist task but I have reviewed the instruction in the manual several times and followed step by step and still cannot get the car to link up. I have a Lexus and Toyoto Tundra that can do it in a couple of clicks and the instructions are easy and plain but it seem BMW tried to make it as complicated as possible. Maybe its the car, me or plain ole bad luck. Anyone else having this problem?
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02-19-2010, 09:10 AM	#3
Ibaghi New Member 2 Rep 15 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	It works just after programming but not after 30 min.
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02-19-2010, 09:27 AM	#4
BOGONY Enlisted Member 6 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2012 335i cab /2011 535 XI Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Use remote You have to program the main unit and you must also point the hand held remote at the front of the car. I think that you have about 30 seconds to do this. The engine must be running.
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02-19-2010, 10:43 AM	#6
Chuck76 Private First Class 18 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 3.5i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	It depends on the garage door opener. Some brands will simply require you to push the feature/scan button on the main unit of the garage opener and then push one of the three numbers underneath the bmw mirror in 30 sec. I have a liftmaster that scrambles the code, so there are instructions for homelink to connect to these. You need to teach it three times in a row and there are instructions on the net to do this. I almost just said screw it when I couldn't for the life of me get it to work following the bmw manual. Do a search, you'll find it.
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02-19-2010, 12:38 PM	#9
Chuck76 Private First Class 18 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 3.5i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	At the garage door opener receiver (motorhead unit) in the garage, locate the “learn” or “smart” button (usually near where the hanging antenna wire is attached to the unit). If there is difficulty locating the training button reference the garage door opener’s manual or contact us. 6. Press and release the “learn” or “smart” button (the name and color of the button may vary by manufacturer). NOTE: Once the button is pressed, there are 30 seconds in which to initiate the next step. 7. Return to the vehicle and firmly press and hold the trained HomeLink button for two seconds and release. Repeat the “press/hold/release” sequence up to 3 times to complete the training process. Instructions for the rolling code with liftmaster to homelink. See how step 7 says do it 3x's for rolling code garages. Last edited by Chuck76; 02-19-2010 at 12:47 PM..
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02-19-2010, 12:58 PM	#10
mcbeee Lieutenant 5 Rep 446 Posts Drives: '09 Z4 s35i & '03 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 Z4 3.0i [5.00] 2001 Z3 3.0i [0.00] 2009 Z4 s35i [7.00]	I just did mine a couple of weeks ago, Liftmaster with rolling codes.. Easy, right out of the book in the glovebox. First you have to program the button in the car: Program the little button on the bottom of the mirror by pointing a remote at the little dot at the top of the mirror and pushing the button you want to program until it flashes. Check the manual for exact wording. Once you have done this, open the window , you'll see why in a minute. On the back of the Opener unit (probably, mine is) there is a "learn" button, push it, an LED should come on, don't stand there admiring it, get down and go push the programmed button in the car for a while (Through the open window). The opener should flash it's lights. That's it, you're done. I did my Zed and my Gf's 325 Ci, it all took about five minutes total.
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02-19-2010, 07:08 PM	#12
richard in NC Colonel 1229 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	I've also found to program the button in the car you have to hold it real close to the mirror. Less than 1 inch (2 cm). __________________ 2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s 2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i
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08-07-2010, 03:50 PM	#14
tranquility sportscars only 3233 Rep 3,193 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I managed to get 1 of the garage openers linked up but for my 2nd opener, I have a pre-historic Stanley model (no 'learn' button): I'm wondering if anyone w/ old garage openers (no 'learn' button) managed to link up w/ the universal remote and how they did it?
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08-07-2010, 04:35 PM	#15
16thBMW Enlisted Member 0 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Z4 35is [7.00]	Older Openers Older openers don't use rolling code communication, they just have the same code programmed into the opener as is in the remote, via a series of toggle switches (this is why you have to take the second step with rolling code openers of coordinating your car with the opener via the learning button). Sometimes just doing the first step, which is teaching your car the code by holding it close to the in car buttons after you've pushed the in car button and its flashing is all it takes. The car unit has learned the non-rolling code. So just try doing step one in the programming manual for the in car Homelink, and then try your in car button and see if it opens the garage door. Also, if you program a new number in and then some other devices stop working, its because there is limited memory in your Garage Door Opener, and the new code has shoved the oldest code out of memory. Check to see how many codes your Opener can hold. Freude am Fahren... __________________ Driving: 15th(F25/2017 X3); 16th(E89/2016 35is) BMW's Retired: 14 BMW's (1968 1600-02, 1972 2002, E30x3, E34, E36x2, E39x2, E46, E83x2, E85) Current: 8 BMW's in Family
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08-08-2010, 02:05 AM	#16
siscobmw freude am fahren ....scheiden freude... 17 Rep 299 Posts Drives: Z4 Sdrive30i tiefseeblau Join Date: May 2009 Location: Italy iTrader: (0)	have you tried to look if infos on homelink.com are the same as those on the user manual? Francesco
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08-08-2010, 01:50 PM	#17
tranquility sportscars only 3233 Rep 3,193 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I've tried again w/ my old garage opener (it has no 'learn' button), using different angles, distance from the universal remote w/o success.
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08-10-2010, 07:29 AM	#18
BMWZ4 Major General 1908 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I have a Chamberlain (rolling codes model) and got mine working straight away; had to visit the Homelink site for additional tips, but got it working no problem. Dave __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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08-10-2010, 01:31 PM	#19
tranquility sportscars only 3233 Rep 3,193 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montréal iTrader: (0)	I guess I'll try again w/ the car parked differently. Sigh.
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08-16-2010, 03:06 AM	#20
MDLFCS Private First Class 14 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2009 Zee Four 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	For me, I could not get them to work with the car outside the garage door, no matter how many times on separate days. I have the newer rolling code opener. What worked was that the car was inside the garage. So, I was able to quickly open the door back up once I was successfully programmed a button under the mirror and after testing it. It is helpful to have the top open to get in and out from the opener itself to the homelink to quickly program the button. I would have the original remote on hand in case the homelink button does not work...
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08-16-2010, 10:55 AM	#21
fisherman Private 2 Rep 92 Posts Drives: 2011 sDrive 30i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: RI iTrader: (0)	Just did mine yesterday. Took a couple tries, but got it done. With the rolling code openers, you have the extra steps involved.
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