E39 Universal Transmitter and Genie Intellicode Door Openers

[heckler]

Ok, i'm losing my patience. According to my 2003 E39 manual I've been following the instructions to program my Garage door opener into the on-board Universal transmitter - but it doesn't take.

The door opener I have is a Genie "Intellicode" model - which claims it changes its codes all the time - hence i'm wondering if it will work with the car's transmitter system. I've tried several times to no avail to get the BMW to learn the code. Anyone got any suggestions?

My opener does have the little "house" logo which is mentioned in my E39 owners manual as being compatible - but again, no joy. Help!

 

[vlad]

Follow your Genie garage door opener's manual for instructions on adding a new remote control. That combined with the Universal Transmitter's instructions, should work.

 

[jrt67ss350]

My parents' 2002 Chevy Impala LS has a universal transmitter built into it, but I know that it will not work with a rolling code system like the Genie Intellicode. I suspect that the BMW system won't work with it - it would have to know the algorithm Genie uses to create the next correct code. That's not to say that the BMW system isn't more advanced than the one in the Impala, but I doubt it.

 

[vlad]

My Craftsman garage door opener has a roaming/rolling code, and the universal tansmitter works with it. Homelink's web site lists Genie as a "partner".

HomeLink's Programming FAQ:
I can't program my HomeLink?
You can either call our customer service number (1-800-355-3515) or contact us by email for complete programming assistance. First try the following troubleshooting tips:

** Check the frequency of the device’s hand-held transmitter (usually found on the back). HomeLink is compatible with radio-frequency devices operating between 288-399MHz (some 2001 and newer vehicles may be compatible up to 418MHz. Please contact us for vehicle compatibility).

** Put a brand new, store bought battery in the hand-held transmitter. During the programming process the battery's energy tends to drain (more so with an older battery). A new battery will increase the speed and accuracy in which the hand-held transmitter sends its signal to HomeLink.

** Retrain HomeLink holding the hand-held transmitter at different lengths and angles from the HomeLink button you are trying to program. Try 4-6 inches away at a different angle.

**Cycle the hand-held transmitter during programming: Press and hold the HomeLink button while you press and release the hand-held transmitter every 2 seconds until the indicator light changes from a slow blink to a rapid flash.

**To verify HomeLink has programmed to a non-rolling code ("fixed") device, press and hold the HomeLink button. If the indicator light remains solid, it has picked up the signal and should operate the device. If it remains a slow blink, HomeLink has not picked up the signal from the hand-held remote. Try programming the button again or chose another button to program.

** To verify HomeLink has picked up a rolling code signal: press and hold the programmed HomeLink button. If the indicator light blinks rapidly for two seconds and turns solid, HomeLink has successfully picked up the rolling code signal. Please follow the rolling code instructions outlined in the "programming a garage door opener" section to complete the process.

 

[Jimmyg50]

I had problems too. However I discovered that you have to have your key in teh accessory position for the darned thing to work.

Boy, did I feel stupid.

 

[heckler]

I'm still not getting it to work. I had my 530i with key in, turned to the accesory position. Went by the instructions in the BMW handbook - cleared out the car's trasmitter buttons, and clicked both (within 2" of each other) in order to program the car's button. No dice. It was even blinking like it said in the book, but the button in the car does nothing.

Confounding.

 

[heckler]

Success! Just got around to fiddling with the remote and the Universal Transmitter.

The key for you "rolling code" garage opener folks is to first program the car's button to your handheld remote.

Second is to depress the overhead power unit (the garage door opener motor) button which "syncs" the motor/main unit to a remote. Press that button, then get back into the car and press and hold the button you programmed with the your handheld remote.

Bingo!

Also - make sure your keys are in the ignition and turned to position 2 (one short of starting the car)

 

[SoonerE39]

I had a similar problem in getting homelink to work in my 2002 Sequoia. After several attempts, it finally started working.

 

[M3Animal]

E39/E46 Intellicode Opener Compatability

Okay - I've struggled with this for about 30 minutes, and I finally got my E46 M3 BMW (and my wife's Volvo) in-car transmitter synched with the Genie Intellicode opener. Here are the simple steps, all in one nice list (and I actually give credit to a few folks in the forum here who gave the right suggestions -- I only summarize them here for convenience)

1. Synch the transmitter in the car with your existing garage door opener:

1a. Press the handheld transmitter button less than 2 inches from your car visor
1b. At the same time, press the desired button on your car built-in visor opener
1c. Wait until the light on your visor blinks rapidly and then holds solid.

2. Sync your car with the opener in the roof of your garage:

2a. Press the synch botton on the opener mounted in your house (usually this is a button located next to the light bulbs. The LED next to that button should begin to flash slowly
2b. Within 30 seconds, go to your car and press the button on the visor (the same one you programmed in step #1!). The light in the visor opener should blink and then again go solid.
2c. Repeat step 2b a second time within another 30 seconds until the light in the visor opener blinks and then goes solid.

3. Push the visor opener button and verify the synch.

4. Store your old opener someplace secure where you can find it.

5. Get in BMW and drive someplace with lots of twisties...