How to Program Your Genie 1028 Garage Door Opener to Your Car

Integrating your Genie garage door opener with your car’s built-in remote system offers unparalleled convenience. No more fumbling for a separate remote – with a few simple programming steps, you can control your garage door directly from your vehicle. Both HomeLink and Car2U are popular in-car systems designed for this purpose, and they are compatible with Genie garage door openers. This guide will walk you through the process of programming your Genie 1028 garage door opener to your car, ensuring a smooth and efficient setup.

Understanding In-Car Garage Door Opener Systems: HomeLink and Car2U

Before diving into the programming steps, it’s helpful to understand the two main types of in-car garage door opener systems you might encounter: HomeLink and Car2U. These systems are typically integrated into your car’s visor or overhead console and offer a seamless way to operate your garage door without a traditional remote.

HomeLink: Often found in a wide range of vehicle makes and models, HomeLink systems are recognizable by a single LED indicator. Many HomeLink buttons also feature a house icon on the center button. HomeLink is powered by your car’s electrical system, eliminating the need for batteries.

Car2U: Car2U systems, while less common than HomeLink, also provide in-car garage door control. Vehicles equipped with Car2U feature three LED lights positioned above each of the three buttons. Like HomeLink, Car2U is powered by your car’s electrical system.

Knowing which system your car uses will help you follow the correct programming instructions.

Preparing to Program Your Genie 1028

To successfully program your Genie 1028 garage door opener to your car, ensure you have the following:

1. Identify Your In-Car System: Determine whether your car utilizes a HomeLink or Car2U system by looking at the button layout and LED indicators as described above.
2. Locate Your Genie Garage Door Opener’s Program/Learn Button: Access your Genie garage door opener motor unit in the garage. You will need to locate either the “Program” button (typically for newer models) or the “Learn” button (for older models). The “Program” button is often accompanied by a round blue LED, while the “Learn” button is usually paired with a red LED.
3. Have Your Genie Remote Ready: You will need a working Genie remote control to begin the programming process for both HomeLink and Car2U systems.

Step-by-Step Guide to Program HomeLink with Genie 1028

Here’s how to program your HomeLink system to your Genie 1028 garage door opener:

Step 1: Clear HomeLink

Before programming a new garage door opener, it’s recommended to clear any previous programming from your HomeLink system.

1. Press and hold the first and third buttons on your HomeLink system simultaneously.
2. Continue holding until the indicator light blinks slowly and then rapidly. This process may take about 20 seconds.
3. Release both buttons. Your HomeLink system is now cleared.

Step 2: Train HomeLink with the Genie Remote

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

1. Choose the HomeLink button you want to use for your Genie garage door opener.
2. Position your Genie remote approximately two inches away from the chosen HomeLink button.
3. Press and hold the button on your Genie remote.
4. While holding the Genie remote button, press and hold the selected HomeLink button at the same time.
5. Keep holding both buttons until the HomeLink indicator light changes from a slow blink to a rapid blink.
6. Once the indicator blinks rapidly, release both buttons.

Step 3: Program HomeLink to the Genie Opener

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

For Newer Genie Garage Door Openers (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. Then, release the button. The long purple LED will start flashing.
2. Press and hold the chosen HomeLink button for two seconds, and then release. Repeat this press and release sequence a second time. The long LED on the opener will flash blue and then turn off.
3. Press the programmed HomeLink button a few more times to test if your garage door activates.

For Older Genie Garage Door Openers (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 and release the desired HomeLink button once. The red LED will stop blinking and remain on.
3. Press and release the same HomeLink button a second time. The red LED will turn off.
4. Press the HomeLink button again to verify that your garage door now opens and closes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Program Car2U with Genie 1028

If your car is equipped with a Car2U system, follow these steps to program it with your Genie 1028 opener:

Step 1: Clear Car2U to Default Settings

Resetting Car2U to its default settings is a good starting point.

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 on your Car2U system for approximately 20 seconds, or until all three LEDs begin to flash.
2. Release both buttons. The Car2U system is now reset to factory default settings.

Car2U buttons for opening a garage door

Step 2: Program Car2U to the Genie Opener

Similar to HomeLink, you’ll train Car2U using your Genie remote and then synchronize it with the opener unit.

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 illuminates. Release the button. The long purple LED will start flashing.
2. Press and hold the Car2U button you wish to program for two seconds and release. Repeat this press and release sequence a second time. The long LED will flash blue and then turn off.
3. Press the programmed Car2U button several times to test if the garage door operates.

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 start blinking.
2. Press the desired Car2U button once. The red LED will stop blinking and stay illuminated.
3. Press the same Car2U button again. The red LED will turn off.
4. Press the Car2U button again to confirm that the garage door is now working.

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

Car2U systems have factory default settings assigned to each button. Button 1 is typically pre-set for Genie openers. If you need to use button 2 or 3 for your Genie opener, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 for ONE SECOND and release. All three LEDs will light up solid red.
2. Press and hold the button you want to change to Genie (button 2 or 3). While holding it, press and release button 1, and then press and release button 1 again. The LED of the button you are holding will flash.
3. Release the button you held in step 2 and wait for the LED to stop flashing. This button is now programmed for your Genie opener. Repeat for another button if needed for a second Genie opener.

Conclusion

Programming your Genie 1028 garage door opener to your car’s HomeLink or Car2U system enhances your daily convenience and simplifies your routine. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can easily integrate your garage door control into your vehicle. For more detailed information, always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, the HomeLink website (www.homelink.com), the Car2U website (learcar2u.com), or the Genie Company website (www.GenieCompany.com).