How to Program Your Car to Open Your Genie Garage Door

Integrating your Genie garage door opener with your car’s built-in system, like HomeLink or Car2U, offers unparalleled convenience. No more fumbling for a separate remote – just press a button in your car, and you’re in. These systems are seamlessly integrated into your vehicle, typically located on the visor or overhead console, and powered directly by your car’s electrical system, eliminating the need for batteries. Genie garage door openers are designed to be compatible with both HomeLink and Car2U. HomeLink systems usually feature a single LED indicator and often have a house icon on the center button, while Car2U systems are recognized by three LED lights above the buttons.

Programming Your HomeLink System for Genie Garage Doors

For detailed instructions in PDF format, you can refer to the official HomeLink programming guide. A helpful video tutorial is also available here.

Step 1: Clear Existing HomeLink Programming

To begin, it’s recommended to clear any previous programming from your HomeLink system. Press and hold the outer two HomeLink buttons (usually buttons one and three) simultaneously. Keep holding them until the HomeLink indicator light changes from a slow to a rapidly blinking light. This typically takes about 20 seconds. Once it blinks rapidly, release both buttons. Clearing HomeLink ensures a clean slate for programming your Genie garage door opener. Note: This process will erase all previously programmed devices from your HomeLink system.

Step 2: Train HomeLink with Your Genie Remote Control

Next, you need to teach your HomeLink system to recognize the signal from your Genie garage door remote. Choose the HomeLink button you want to use for your Genie garage door. Position your Genie remote approximately two inches away from the selected HomeLink button. Press and hold the button on your Genie remote that you typically use to open your garage door. While still holding the Genie remote button, immediately press and hold the chosen HomeLink button in your car. Continue holding both buttons until the HomeLink indicator light first blinks slowly and then changes to a rapid blink. Once you see the rapid blinking, release both buttons.

Step 3: Program HomeLink to Your Genie Garage Door Opener

Now, you’ll need to synchronize the HomeLink system with your actual Genie garage door opener unit. The process varies slightly depending on whether you have a newer or older Genie model.

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

1. Locate the PROGRAM button on the powerhead unit of your Genie garage door opener. Press and hold this button until a round blue LED light turns ON. Once it’s lit, release the PROGRAM button. A long purple LED will then begin to flash.
2. Press and hold the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 for two seconds, then release. Repeat this press and release sequence one more time. After the second press, the long LED on your garage door opener should flash blue and then turn off.
3. To finalize the programming, press the HomeLink button a few more times. Your garage door should now activate. If it doesn’t move on the first try, continue pressing the button a few more times to ensure proper synchronization.

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

1. Locate the learn code button (often labeled “Learn”) on your Genie garage door opener powerhead. Press and release this button. A red LED light will start blinking.
2. Immediately press the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 one time. The red LED on the garage door opener should stop blinking and remain illuminated.
3. Press the same HomeLink button one more time. The red LED will turn off.
4. Press the HomeLink button again. Your Genie garage door should now open or close, indicating successful programming.

For further assistance, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual, visit HomeLink’s official website, or the Genie Company website.

Programming Your Car2U System for Genie Garage Doors

For detailed instructions in PDF format, you can find the official Car2U programming guide here.

Step 1: Reset Car2U to Factory Default Settings

It’s best practice to reset your Car2U system to its factory default settings before programming it with your Genie opener. The default settings are: Button 1 for Genie openers, Button 2 for LiftMaster, and Button 3 for Wayne Dalton.

Car Visor with Car2U Buttons

1. To reset, press and hold Car2U buttons 1 and 3 simultaneously for approximately 20 seconds. Keep holding until all three LED lights above the Car2U buttons begin to flash.
2. Once all three LEDs are flashing, release both buttons. Your Car2U system is now reset to its factory default settings. Note: This will erase any previously programmed garage door openers from your Car2U system.

Step 2: Program Car2U to Your Genie Garage Door Opener

The programming steps for Car2U are similar to HomeLink, and also depend on the model of your Genie opener.

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

1. Press and hold the PROGRAM button on your Genie garage door opener’s powerhead until the round blue LED illuminates and stays ON. Release the button. The long purple LED will start flashing.
2. Press and hold the Car2U button you wish to use for your Genie opener for two seconds and release. Repeat this press and release sequence one more time. After the second press, the long LED on the opener should flash blue and then turn off.
3. Press the programmed Car2U button a few more times until your garage door operates.

For Older Genie Garage Door Opener 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. Press the desired Car2U button once. The red LED will stop blinking and stay on.
3. Press the same Car2U button one more time. The red LED will turn off.
4. Test the programming by pressing the Car2U button again. Your garage door should now move.

Step 3: Changing the Factory Default Button for a Genie Opener (Car2U)

If you want to use a Car2U button other than button 1 (the default for Genie), follow these steps:

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 on your Car2U system for just ONE SECOND and release. All three LEDs will light up solid red.
2. Now, press and hold the button you want to reassign to your Genie opener (either button 2 or 3). The LED above that button will begin to flash. While continuing to hold this button, press and release button 1. Then, press and release button 1 again.
3. Release the button you were holding in step 2 and wait for the LED to stop flashing. This button is now programmed for your Genie opener. Repeat this step if you need to program a second Car2U button for another Genie opener.

For additional support, refer to your vehicle’s manual, visit learcar2u.com (the manufacturer of Car2U), or www.GenieCompany.com.

By following these steps, you can easily program your car’s HomeLink or Car2U system to control your Genie garage door opener, adding convenience and simplifying your daily routine.