Programming Your Genie Garage Door Opener to Your Car: A Comprehensive Guide

Integrating your Genie garage door opener with your car’s built-in remote system offers unparalleled convenience. No more fumbling for a separate remote – simply press a button in your car, and you’re in! Vehicles equipped with systems like HomeLink and Car2U allow you to do just that. These in-car technologies, often found with buttons located on your visor or overhead console, operate directly from your car’s power, eliminating the need for batteries. Genie garage door openers are designed to be compatible with both HomeLink and Car2U.

Cars using HomeLink are typically identifiable by a single LED indicator and often feature a house icon on the central button. Car2U systems, in contrast, have three LED lights, one above each button. This guide will walk you through the process of programming both HomeLink and Car2U to your Genie garage door opener, ensuring a smooth and seamless integration.

Programming Your HomeLink® System for Genie Garage Door Openers

HomeLink is a widely used system for integrating garage door openers and other home automation devices into your vehicle. Here’s how to program your HomeLink system to work with your Genie garage door opener.

Step 1: Clearing the HomeLink System

Before programming a new garage door opener, it’s a good practice to clear any existing programs from your HomeLink system. This ensures a clean slate for programming your Genie opener.

1. Press and hold the first and third buttons on your HomeLink system simultaneously.
2. Keep holding both buttons until the indicator light on the HomeLink starts to blink slowly and then rapidly. This process usually takes about 20 seconds.
3. Once the indicator light blinks rapidly, release both buttons. Your HomeLink system is now cleared.

NOTE: Clearing HomeLink will erase all previously programmed devices.

Step 2: Training HomeLink with Your Genie Remote

Next, you’ll need to train your HomeLink system to recognize the signal from your Genie garage door opener remote.

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

Step 3: Programming HomeLink to Your Genie Opener

The final step involves programming the HomeLink system to communicate directly with your Genie garage door opener unit. The procedure varies slightly depending on whether you have a newer or older Genie model.

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

Newer Genie openers are equipped with a ‘Program’ button, typically located on the powerhead unit of the opener in your garage.

1. Locate the PROGRAM button on your Genie garage door opener powerhead. Press and hold this button until the round blue LED illuminates. Then, release the button. The long purple LED will begin to flash.
2. Within 30 seconds of pressing the program button, press and hold the pre-selected HomeLink button in your car for two seconds and release. Repeat this process – press the same HomeLink button again for two seconds and release. The long LED on the opener will flash blue and then turn off.
3. To finalize programming, press the HomeLink button a few more times until your garage door begins to move.

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

Older Genie models usually have a ‘Learn’ button instead of a ‘Program’ button.

1. Find the learn code button on your Genie garage door opener powerhead. Press and release this button. The red LED indicator will start to blink.
2. Within 30 seconds of pressing the learn button, press the desired HomeLink button in your car one time. The red LED on the opener will stop blinking and remain on.
3. Press the same HomeLink button in your car one more time. The red LED on the opener will turn off.
4. Press the HomeLink button again to test the programming. Your garage door should now open or close.

NOTE: For more detailed instructions, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, visit www.homelink.com, or www.GenieCompany.com.

Programming Your Car2U® System for Genie Garage Door Openers

Car2U is another in-car system compatible with Genie garage door openers. By default, Car2U buttons are pre-set for different brands, with Button 1 typically designated for Genie openers. However, you might need to program or reconfigure it.

Car2U buttons for opening a garage door, showing three buttons with individual LEDs above each button

Step 1: Resetting Car2U to Factory Default Settings

If you are unsure of previous programming or want to start fresh, resetting Car2U to its default settings is recommended.

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 on your Car2U system simultaneously for 20 seconds.
2. Continue holding until all three LEDs begin to flash.
3. Once all LEDs are flashing, release both buttons. The Car2U system is now reset to factory defaults.

NOTE: Resetting Car2U will erase all previously programmed garage door openers.

Step 2: Programming Car2U to Your Genie Opener

Similar to HomeLink, programming Car2U involves a slightly different process for newer and older Genie opener models.

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 wish to program for your Genie opener for two seconds and release. Repeat this – press the same Car2U button again for two seconds and release. The long LED on the opener will flash blue and then turn off.
3. Press the programmed Car2U button several times to check if your 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 begin to blink.
2. Within 30 seconds, press the desired Car2U button one time. The red LED will stop blinking and stay illuminated.
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 respond.

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 Genie button), follow these steps to change the factory default setting.

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

NOTE: For further assistance, consult your vehicle’s manual, visit learcar2u.com, or www.GenieCompany.com.

By following these straightforward 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.