01-09-2006, 11:05 AM

Contributed by: statdoc
I spent the better part of a day installing two new garage door openers at my home, to replace two old ones. At the very end, I tried to program the HomeLink built-in transmitter in my BMW, to open the garage doors, without success. I followed the BMW Owners Manual instructions to the letter, I looked on my garage door manufacturer's website (in this case, Genie), and still got nowhere.
After some serious Googling, I found some instructions on HomeLink's website, but was dashed to find these instructions were identical to those in the BMW manual. Just when I was convinced I would have to carry the Genie remote control, I found a small variation of the programming instructions on HomeLink's site, supposedly just for Canadians. Why these would be different than in the USA, I don't know.
By following the slightly different instructions for Canadians, I was able to easily program my on-board HomeLink transmitter for my new garage door opener. I was having the same issue with my wife's Mercedes (since they share a common source for this HomeLink transmitter), and these instructions worked perfectly for her car, as well.
I have copied and pasted the instructions from HomeLink's site, with the vital addition highlighted. I hope you are able to avoid some of the frustration I had today!
NOTE: Some vehicles may require the ignition to be turned on or to the second (or “accessory” or ACC) position for training and/or operation of HomeLink. It is also recommended that a new battery be replaced in the hand held transmitter of the device being trained to HomeLink for quicker training and accurate transmission of the radio frequency.
If programming a garage door opener or gate, it is advised to unplug the device during the 'cycling' process to prevent possible motor burn-up.
During programming, your hand-held transmitter may automatically stop transmitting. Continue to press and hold the desired HomeLink button while you press and re-press (“cycle&rdquo your hand-held transmitter every two seconds until the frequency signal has been learned. The indicator light will flash slowly and then rapidly after several seconds upon successful training. If necessary, follow steps 5-7 to complete the training for a rolling code device.
Retain the original transmitter of the RF device you are training for use in other vehicles as well as for future HomeLink training. It is also suggested that upon the sale of the vehicle, the trained HomeLink buttons be erased for security purposes. Refer to step 1 only.
1. For first time training, press and hold the two outer HomeLink buttons releasing only when the HomeLink indicator light begins to flash after 20 seconds. (Do not perform this step when training the additional HomeLink buttons.)


2. Position the hand-held transmitter 1-3 inches away from the HomeLink surface (located on your overhead ) keeping the HomeLink indicator light in view.
3. Using both hands, simultaneously press and hold both the desired HomeLink button and hand held transmitter button. During programming, your hand-held transmitter may automatically stop transmitting. Continue to press and hold the desired HomeLink button while you press and re-press (“cycle&rdquo your hand-held transmitter every two seconds until the frequency signal has been learned. The indicator light will flash slowly and then rapidly after several seconds upon successful training. DO NOT release until the HomeLink indicator light flashes slowly and then rapidly. When the indicator light flashes rapidly, both buttons may be released. (The rapid flashing indicates successful training.)
4. Press and hold the trained HomeLink button and observe the indicator light.

• If the indicator light is solid/continuous, training is complete and your device should activate when the HomeLink button is pressed and released.
• If the indicator light blinks rapidly for 2 seconds and then turns a solid/continuous light, proceed with the following training instructions for a rolling code device. A second person may make the following steps quicker and easier. Please use a ladder or other device. Do not stand on your vehicle to perform the next steps.

5. 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.
HomeLink should now activate your device.

In case you need it, Homelink's on-line reference site is at http://www.homelink.com/training/train.taf and BMW's programming instructions can be found in your Owner's Manual.
Good Luck!!