HOW TO: $4.85 Homelink

[badco]

One thing that I miss about my G35 is that it had a Homelink transmitter, while my Silverado does not. Using a garage door opener felt like a throwback to the 1980's.

I had an extra key-fob garage door transmitter laying around, so I decided to hard-mount it into my roof console.

Required: a momentary pushbutton switch, wire, solder, and an extra garage door opener. I used the Radio Shack 275-644 switch and added the 276-085 green LED. Pictured below with the transmitter disassembled:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/358701863_dde00a21fc.jpg?v=0

There's one Phillips screw holding the front of the console to the roof. Pull down on the rear gently to release the clips. Unclip the wiring harness and you're in business.

From an aesthetic and human factors perspective, I really wanted to mount the switch between the pocket and the map lights. This is where the factory Homelink buttons are located.

But....

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/358701857_d0a8cf3515.jpg?v=0

... the bracket for the dome lights obscures this area from behind, and it's plastic-welded to the console itself.

[DeadmanIncJS]

links dont work...

[badco]

No idea why the images are shown as links. I'm using IMG tags. This is disappointing.

I mounted them closer to the edge of the panel:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/358701872_78a683267b.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/358701867_b330705be1.jpg?v=0

You basically want to wire the switch to the switch that activates the opener, and wire the LED to the location of the LED. I pulled the old LED off the circuit board and left the old switch. Careful to keep the polarity of the LED (+ and -) the same as the original.

I used a 12v LED because the opener uses a 12v battery. I don't know anything about LED's.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/358706231_dc09267ff3.jpg?v=0

[badco]

The links don't work either? Dang! I'll finish then go back and see what I can do about images.

Here's my ugly wiring:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/358706237_7922c1e716.jpg?v=0

And here it is in the truck:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/358706263_bf9742f55f.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/155/358706265_62dd7d1c73.jpg?v=0

Cool thing is that there are two remaining channels on the remote so if I become a big baller and get a remote gate or lights I can mount two more buttons.

[badco]

Sorry about the pics not showing up. I'm using IMG tags to link to both Flickr and Picasa, so I don't think that's the problem. Maybe it's the board software, or maybe I don't have enough posts for my images to work.

Hope they work as links, at least.

[Mkader17]

the flicker ones worked for me but the google ones didn't. I'd really love to see them though =)

[CrossedFlags77]

Everything works for me, thats a cool idea. Good job on it.

[97rcsb]

nice work

[Joe]

I can see all of the images - that looks great :D

Was that a universal remote that is re-programable?

Great Thread :cool:

[CKTA]

I can see all of the images - that looks great :D

Was that a universal remote that is re-programable?

Great Thread :cool:


Agreed! Awesome thread and work! :10:

[CKTA]

BTW, that keyfob.....that came w/ you garage opener or is it a generic one that you some how programmed? :think:

[headkase33]

I did something similiar to my motorcycle. I had a universal remote that had been semi-crushed(wife, don't ask). Anyway, got it working, soldered a button to it and walla. It was the best mod I did to my bike.

[smpldezine]

Nice work! I have a question hopefully you can help me with. I have the homelink in my silverado but I dont think the garage opener has it? I still use the garage door opener :thud: TIA

[badco]

Thx guys!

It would work with a universal remote if the remote were already programmed to work with your garage door opener.

The keyfob remote was an extra that came with our Genie opener. It looks like there's room to hide a full-size remote in the console instead, if that's what you have.

Smpldezine - You might have an opener that uses a "rolling code." There's a good how-to on programming at Homelink's website http://www.homelink.com/home/home.tml

Otherwise, you might want to call their customer service 1-800 number. I had to call when I programmed it in my last car, and they were very helpful in walking me through a couple of tricks. Homelink customer service rocks.

M

[smpldezine]

Smpldezine - You might have an opener that uses a "rolling code." There's a good how-to on programming at Homelink's website http://www.homelink.com/home/home.tml

Otherwise, you might want to call their customer service 1-800 number. I had to call when I programmed it in my last car, and they were very helpful in walking me through a couple of tricks. Homelink customer service rocks.
M

Thanks! I will def. look into this during the week, I appreciate it!

[curly]

Nice work... this might be the answer to my problem of not being able to find a used console with homelink. I was thinking about taking the pocket out and mounting a faceplate that I could add various switches to (since I don't use the pocket except for holding my garage door opener anyway).