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After reading about a few others installing a homelink system in their Mini I decided to try it myself. Ordered the rolling code homelink device for $20 on eBay. Took me about 3 hours total to do everything.
First thing you have to do is remove the buttons/cover from the homelink device. It is NOT easy to get off and I actually heated a screw driver up and slightly melted the tabs on the back to release it. I then cut off all the extra pieces of plastic from all sides of the device.
Next I popped off the cover for the Bluetooth system/map light area controls. It just pops out because it's doesn't have any screws. Then I removed the piece underneath by removing two screws that holds the piece in. Once the screws are removed you pop out the piece by pressing in the clips around the outside.
I then cut out most of the plastic in the middle of this piece. I also cut a small hole in the trim piece so the buttons could come through and attach to the trim piece.
Once everything looked good I ran a ground wire to a bolt in the ceiling and used a test light to find a constant power wire from the black wiring harness in the map light area. This was the 2nd to last wire from left to right. I simply tapped into this wire for my power source. I put everything back together and then just had to program it which was very easy.
Followed almost everything here to the tee, only had one issue finding a ground, but there was a 10mm bolt just to the left of the plastic bracket that worked perfect. I ran a wire up from the fusebox and used an Add-a-fuse and tapped the dome lights. Sorry for the crappy pic. Thanks for the great write up!
Last edited by -=gRaY rAvEn=-; Mar 14, 2016 at 08:17 AM.
I've joined the club! It took me twice as long to do it but I got it done. It looks good. The only thing I don't like is that you have to push the buttons quite hard for them to register. I guess since they aren't as close to the box as they used to be they have to travel further. Thanks for the idea, notes, and links guys
Last edited by -=gRaY rAvEn=-; Mar 14, 2016 at 08:17 AM.
I did my home link but it's on the other side and works great. I think there was something right behind the Homelink unit so it doesn't have any flex when I push it. Or you can hot glue it
Try putting small erasers in between the buttons and the unit. I am going to try it this weekend because I am having the same problem. I will let everyone know if it works after I do it.
Try putting small erasers in between the buttons and the unit. I am going to try it this weekend because I am having the same problem. I will let everyone know if it works after I do it.
Please let me know if this works for you. And share a picture of how you did it if you can.
Originally Posted by Cmv138
I did my home link but it's on the other side and works great. I think there was something right behind the Homelink unit so it doesn't have any flex when I push it. Or you can hot glue it
I actually did use hot some hot glue to hold it down. But I only put a little bit at the top of the box. It seemed to be holding well. I could probably double check though.
So I installed some erasers in between the buttons and the unit last night. They are about 1/16 of an inch thick. I used a small eraser from a mechanical pencil and the size is perfect. I attached them with a small drop of superglue. The buttons are perfect now. I am attaching a pic.
So I installed some erasers in between the buttons and the unit last night. They are about 1/16 of an inch thick. I used a small eraser from a mechanical pencil and the size is perfect. I attached them with a small drop of superglue. The buttons are perfect now. I am attaching a pic.
