How to Program Your Genie Garage Door Opener to Your Car Remote (HomeLink & Car2U)

Effortlessly opening your garage door as you arrive home is a modern convenience many of us appreciate. In-car remote systems like HomeLink and Car2U make this possible, eliminating the need for traditional, hand-held garage door openers. These integrated systems, typically found with three buttons located on your car’s visor or ceiling console, operate directly from your vehicle’s power, meaning no more worrying about dead batteries. Good news for Genie garage door opener owners: both HomeLink and Car2U are fully compatible with Genie systems.

Cars equipped with HomeLink usually feature a single LED indicator, often accompanied by a house icon above the center button. Car2U systems are identifiable by three LED lights positioned above each of the three buttons.

Understanding how to program your Genie garage door opener to these in-car systems can seem daunting, but it’s a straightforward process. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for programming both HomeLink and Car2U, ensuring seamless access to your garage with your Genie opener.

Programming Your HomeLink® System for Genie Openers

HomeLink programming involves a simple process of clearing any old settings, training the system with your Genie remote, and then syncing it with your Genie garage door opener unit.

Step 1: Clear Existing HomeLink Programming

Before programming a new garage door opener, it’s best to clear any previously programmed settings from your HomeLink system. This ensures a clean slate for the new programming.

1. Press and hold the outermost left and right buttons (usually button 1 and button 3) on your HomeLink system simultaneously.
2. Continue holding both buttons for approximately 20 seconds.
3. Observe the indicator light on your HomeLink system. It will initially blink slowly, and then after about 20 seconds, it will begin to blink rapidly.
4. Release both buttons once the indicator light is blinking rapidly. This indicates that the HomeLink system’s memory has been cleared.

NOTE: Clearing HomeLink will erase all previously programmed devices. You will need to reprogram any other devices linked to your HomeLink system after this step.

Step 2: Train HomeLink with Your Genie Remote Control

This step involves teaching your HomeLink system to recognize the signal from your Genie garage door remote.

1. Choose a HomeLink button you wish to use for your Genie garage door opener.
2. Position your Genie remote approximately two inches away from the chosen HomeLink button in your car.
3. Press and hold the button on your Genie remote that you typically use to open your garage door.
4. Simultaneously press and hold the chosen HomeLink button in your car.
5. Keep holding both buttons until the indicator light on your HomeLink system changes from a slow blink to a rapid blink. This might take between a few seconds and up to 20 seconds.
6. Release both buttons once the indicator light blinks rapidly. This signifies that the HomeLink system has learned the frequency from your Genie remote.

Step 3: Program HomeLink to Your Genie Garage Door Opener

The final step involves syncing your HomeLink system with your actual Genie garage door opener unit. The process varies slightly depending on whether you have a newer or older Genie opener model.

For Newer Genie Garage Door Openers (with a Program Button):

Newer Genie openers are equipped with a “Program” button, usually located on the powerhead unit of the opener in your garage.

1. Locate the “PROGRAM” button on your Genie garage door opener motor unit.
2. Press and hold the “PROGRAM” button until a round blue LED light turns ON. Then release the button. A long purple LED will then start flashing, indicating it’s in programming mode.
3. Immediately return to your car and press the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 for two seconds and release.
4. Repeat pressing and releasing the same HomeLink button a second time for another two seconds.
5. Observe the long LED on your Genie opener unit. It should flash blue and then turn off, indicating successful programming.
6. Test the connection by pressing the programmed HomeLink button again. Your garage door should now activate. If it doesn’t, you may need to repeat steps 1-5. You might also need to press the HomeLink button a few times to complete the synchronization process.

For Older Genie Garage Door Openers (with a Learn Button):

Older Genie openers use a “Learn Code” or simply “Learn” button, often red in color.

1. Locate the “Learn” or “Learn Code” button on your Genie garage door opener motor unit.
2. Press and release the “Learn” button. A red LED light will begin to blink, indicating it’s ready to learn a new code.
3. Within 30 seconds, return to your car and press the desired HomeLink button one time.
4. Observe the red LED on the Genie opener. It should stop blinking and remain on solid.
5. Press the same HomeLink button one more time.
6. Observe the red LED again. It should now turn off.
7. Test the programming by pressing the HomeLink button once more. Your garage door should now open or close. If not, repeat steps 1-6.

NOTE: For more detailed instructions or troubleshooting, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, visit the official HomeLink website (www.homelink.com), or the Genie Company website (www.GenieCompany.com).

Programming Your Car2U® System for Genie Openers

Car2U systems, while similar in function to HomeLink, have a slightly different programming process. Car2U often comes with factory default settings, which may include pre-programmed settings for Genie openers on button 1. However, resetting and reprogramming can ensure optimal performance.

Car2U buttons for garage door operation in a vehicle

Step 1: Resetting Car2U System to Factory Default Settings

Resetting Car2U to its default settings is recommended to start with a clean configuration. The default Car2U settings are:

• Button 1 = Genie® Manufactured Openers
• Button 2 = LiftMaster® Manufactured Openers
• Button 3 = Wayne Dalton® Manufactured Openers

To reset:

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 on your Car2U system simultaneously.
2. Continue holding for approximately 20 seconds, or until all three LED lights above the buttons begin to flash.
3. Release both buttons once all three LEDs are flashing. The Car2U system is now reset to its factory default settings.

NOTE: Resetting Car2U will erase all custom programming. You will need to reprogram any garage door openers or devices after this reset.

Step 2: Programming Car2U to Your Genie Opener

Similar to HomeLink, programming Car2U involves using the “Program” or “Learn” button on your Genie garage door opener.

For Newer Genie Models (with a Program Button):

1. Press and hold the “PROGRAM” button on your Genie garage door opener powerhead until the round blue LED turns ON. Release the button. The long purple LED will start flashing.
2. Within 30 seconds, press and hold the Car2U button you want to program for your Genie opener for two seconds and release.
3. Repeat pressing and releasing the same Car2U button a second time for another two seconds.
4. Observe the long LED on your Genie opener. It should flash blue and then turn off, confirming successful programming.
5. Test the connection by pressing the programmed Car2U button. Your garage door should now respond. If not, repeat steps 1-4, and try pressing the Car2U button multiple times.

For Older Genie Models (with a Learn Button):

1. Press and release the “Learn Code” button on your Genie garage door opener powerhead. The red LED will begin to blink.
2. Within 30 seconds, press the desired Car2U button one time.
3. Observe the red LED. It should stop blinking and stay on.
4. Press the same Car2U button one more time.
5. Observe the red LED again. It should turn off.
6. Test the programming by pressing the Car2U button once more. The garage door should now operate. If not, repeat steps 1-5.

Step 3: Changing Factory Default Button for a Genie Opener (Optional)

If you wish to use button 2 or 3 for your Genie opener instead of the default button 1, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 on your Car2U system for ONE SECOND and release. All three LEDs will light up solid red.
2. Press and hold the Car2U button (2 or 3) you want to assign to your Genie opener. The corresponding LED will flash. While still holding this button, press and release button 1. Press and release button 1 again.
3. Release the button being held in step 2 and wait for the LED to stop flashing. This button is now set for your Genie opener.
4. Repeat Step 2 if you need to program a second Car2U button for another Genie opener.

NOTE: For further assistance, consult your vehicle’s manual, visit learcar2u.com, or the Genie Company website (www.GenieCompany.com).

By following these instructions, you can easily program your car’s HomeLink or Car2U system to control your Genie garage door opener, adding convenience and seamless access to your home.