Okay, we have tried everything. Both our garage doors are "rolling code" systems. We followed the Mini manual directions...no luck. Then we followed the garage door opener manual directions....no luck. Then I went to the Homelink website and followed their directions....no luck. :(

NOTE: We're VERY good at reading manuals and following directions. We've tried multiple times.

The instructions all say:

1. Press the "Learn" button on the back of the garage door opener. The light will start flashing slowly.

2. Press and release the Mini's Homelink button until the light on the back of the garage door opener turns solid. Then press the Homelink button again and the light on the back of the garage door opener will go out.

We've tried and tried and we can never get the light on the back of the garage door opener to stop flashing (which means it not receiving a signal from a Homelink device)

We did successfully cleared the garage door opener and then reprogrammed it using the factory remote control. Everything worked great and the instructions all made sense. But when we try to use the Mini Homelink buttons on the mirror, nothing ever happens.

Is there any chance that the HomeLink antenna didn't get connected by my dealership? The light on the mirror flashes correctly. We can reset the HomeLink mirror....no problem.

Our friends have a Honda Pilot with HomeLink. Maybe we'll have them bring their car over and see if we can use their HomeLink to program our garage door openers.

Anyone have any ideas? the nearest dealership is 3 hours away. We'll take the car to them if we have to, but I don't know how they can help us without us bringing our garage door with us.

 

I had similar problems - I followed the homelink site VIDEO precisely (including the first step of "programming" your mirror buttons using a plain old handheld remote - which doesn't actually make it work and seems pointless, but IS a required step). That did the trick. After umpteen tries with the written instructions that didn't work.

Good luck.

 

USe the Canadian instructions from the HomeLink Site - worked for two different BMWs and an 05 MCS - along with the neighbor's Mitsu... And we're in TN!

 

No way. That doesn't make any sense. But what the heck....we'll give it a try tomorrow. We're also going to call the HomeLink toll free number (they were already closed when we called today)

 

Can you give me the link to the Canadian instructions on the HomeLink site? I can't seem to find them.
(feeling really inadequate now)

 

I agree - doesn't seem to make sense - which is why I intelligently SKIPPED that non-value-adding step the first 8 or 10 tries. But it seems that the homelink needs that step to "know" that you're trying to program a rolling code remote so it goes into the right learning mode. Or something like that. Whatever, that was THE difference that made it work for me. The very first time I used the steps in the video, it worked.

 

Oh yeah, and I felt STUPID while I held that remote up to my mirror pushing the buttons, because OBVIOUSLY that can't have anything to do with making a ROLLING CODE remote work. I was so sure I was right. But nope. That made the difference. I was just as sure as you that it didn't make sense...

 

So I was curious enough I went to the Homelink site again and poked around... look what I found in the FAQ under troubleshooting programming problems:

• 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 choose 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.

So there you have it. They say that it DOES need to "hear" the rolling code signal from the standard remote FIRST before you can continue the rolling code process with the buttons on your garage door opener, etc. Just like in the video...

 

This is awesome news! I can't wait to try it in the morning. Thanks all! (I'll let you now)

 

Just checked the Home link site for a Mini (under BMW) - Canadian Instructions are linked in the 3rd step. You may have it by now with the other posts - once I had the programming done,the trick was to press the newly programmed button three times - open sesame!

 

my homelink works intermittently.... is there something else I should do? Sometimes, I need to park the car as close to the gate in order to activate it... now there is some fun! Pull close to gate... clutch in, car in 1st, press, press, press.. gate starts moving... accelerate before gate hits side of car.

 

Odd. Mine seems to work reliably and has reasonable range (though not as long as the range on my old Chrysler homelink). Is you gate really "yours" or is it a community gate or ??? If it's your gate, I'd suggest you take a look at how the opener antenna is oriented on it. Often openers have a wire antenna that comes "bundled up" by default - extending it significantly improves reception... just a thought.

Otherwise, I don't know of any "tuning" opportunities for your MINI's homelink - either it works or ...

 

IT WORKS! (thanks for all the help)

Turns out you all were right. Even if you know you have a rolling code system, you MUST go through the first steps. Plus....and this was my problem....you must hold your remote very close to the mirror. I called HomeLink Tech Support (800-355-3515) and they instructed me to point my garage remote at the third button (or the center of the mirror). That, and holding very close to the mirror made the difference!

Here's how I understand it: (your Mini must be running or the key must be in the On position)
Step 1: Hold your garage door remote about 1 inch from the mirror and so that it's pointing at the bottom center of the mirror.
Step 2: Simultaneously press the HomeLink button and your garage door opener button. (here's the critical part) Keep holding the buttons until the HomeLink light goes from flashing slowly to flashing rapidly, then release both buttons. You MUST be sucessful with this step. If you're not, move your garage remote closer and try again.
Step 3: (I'm not sure if you need to do this step) Press the HomeLink button and if it turns solid, your done. (this means your garage remote is NOT a rolling code model) If it flashes rapidly then turns solid, proceed to Step 4 (this means you have a rolling code model).
Step 4: Get out of your car, and press the "Learn" button on the back of your garage door opener motor. (mine began flashing slowly)
Step 5: Get back in your car. Press and hold the HomeLink button. It will flash rapidly then turn solid. Release the button when it turns solid, then repeat this step 2 more times. My garage door responded on the third try. (I think the first press is when the garage door recognizes the code and the second try confirms it, the third press is a final confirmation)

I then went on and programmed our other garage door without problems.

Thanks again for all the advice!

 

It's the gate for my house (guest house) and the main house. My neighbor says that her homelink (chevy) is intermittent as well. The whole system looks pretty ... old.

 

Genie sells an intellicode "upgrade" module that wires into an opener where a "pushbutton" connects and effectively replaces the "old" remote circuitry built into the opener with "new" intellicode circuitry. I actually had to wire one of these into my system a few years ago because my opener was an off brand non-homelink-compatible one. Worked like a champ - and has longer range than the old one.

So maybe you could lobby someone to investigate wiring one of these up to your gate opener and making it more wonderful...

Or just have them check the antenna on the old opener and make sure it isn't obstructed or chopped off...

 

mitchman - glad you got it working - I feel your pain
That was a long night when I figured that out...

 

A thread from the past saves me. Thanks NAM!