How to Program Your Car to Open Your Genie Garage Door

Modern vehicles offer incredible convenience, and one feature many drivers appreciate is the ability to program their car to operate their garage door opener. Systems like HomeLink and Car2U are integrated directly into your vehicle, eliminating the need for a separate remote. These systems are powered by your car’s electrical system, meaning no batteries to replace, unlike traditional handheld remotes. If you have a Genie garage door opener and want to use your car’s built-in system, this guide will walk you through the programming process for both HomeLink and Car2U.

Programming Your HomeLink System for Genie Garage Doors

HomeLink is a widely used in-car system identifiable by a single LED indicator, often accompanied by a house icon on the center button. Follow these steps to program your HomeLink system to your Genie garage door opener.

Step 1: Clear Existing HomeLink Programming

Before programming a new garage door opener, it’s good practice to clear any existing programs in your HomeLink system. To do this, press and hold the first and third buttons on your HomeLink system simultaneously. Keep holding them until the indicator light blinks slowly at first, and then rapidly for about 20 seconds. Once it blinks rapidly, release both buttons. This reset will ensure a clean programming process.

NOTE: Clearing HomeLink will erase all previously programmed devices.

Step 2: Train HomeLink with Your Genie Remote

Next, you need to teach your HomeLink system to recognize the signal from your Genie garage door remote. Select the HomeLink button you wish to use for your Genie opener. Position your Genie remote approximately two inches away from the chosen 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, press and hold the selected HomeLink button at the same time. Continue holding both buttons until the HomeLink indicator light changes from a slow to a rapid blink. Once it blinks rapidly, release both buttons.

Step 3: Program HomeLink to Your Genie Garage Door Opener

The final step involves syncing HomeLink with your Genie garage door opener unit itself. The process differs slightly depending on whether you have a newer or older Genie opener model.

For Newer Genie Garage Door Openers with a “Program” Button:

1. Locate the “PROGRAM” button on your Genie garage door opener’s powerhead unit. Press and hold this button until a round blue LED light turns ON. Release the button. A long purple LED will then begin to flash, indicating it’s in programming mode.
2. Press and hold the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 for two seconds, then release. Repeat this process by pressing and holding the same HomeLink button again for another two seconds and release. The long LED on your Genie opener should flash blue and then turn off.
3. Test the connection by pressing the programmed HomeLink button a few more times. Your Genie garage door should now activate and open or close.

For Older Genie Garage Door Openers with a “Learn” Button:

1. Find the “learn code” button on your Genie garage door opener powerhead. Press and release this button. A red LED light will start blinking, indicating it’s ready to learn a new code.
2. Press the desired HomeLink button one time. The red LED on the garage door opener should stop blinking and remain lit.
3. Press the same HomeLink button one more time. The red LED light on the opener will turn off.
4. Test the programming by pressing the HomeLink button again. Your Genie garage door should now respond and move.

NOTE: For more detailed instructions, always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, the HomeLink website (www.homelink.com), or the Genie Company website (www.GenieCompany.com).

Programming Your Car2U System for Genie Garage Doors

Car2U systems are another type of in-car garage door opener, often recognized by three LED lights positioned above the three control buttons. Here’s how to program your Car2U system to work with your Genie garage door opener.

Car2U buttons for opening a garage door

Step 1: Reset Car2U to Factory Default Settings

Like HomeLink, it’s recommended to reset your Car2U system to its default settings before programming it with your Genie opener. Car2U systems have default settings pre-programmed:

• Button 1 = Genie® Openers
• Button 2 = LiftMaster® Openers
• Button 3 = Wayne Dalton® Openers

To reset, press and hold buttons 1 and 3 simultaneously for approximately 20 seconds, or until all three LEDs on the Car2U system start flashing. Once they flash, release both buttons. The Car2U system is now reset to its factory defaults.

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

Step 2: Program Car2U to Recognize Your Genie Opener

Now, you’ll program Car2U to learn the signal from your Genie garage door opener.

For Newer Genie Models:

1. Locate the “PROGRAM” button on your Genie garage door opener’s powerhead. Press and hold it until the round blue LED turns ON, then release. The long purple LED will start flashing.
2. Press and hold the Car2U button you want to use for your Genie opener for two seconds, then release. Repeat this press and hold for another two seconds and release. The long LED on the Genie opener should flash blue and then turn off.
3. Test the programming by pressing the Car2U button a few more times. Your Genie garage door should now be activated.

For Older Genie Models:

1. Locate the “learn code” button on your Genie garage door opener powerhead. Press and release it. The red LED will begin to blink.
2. Press the Car2U button you wish to program one time. The red LED should stop blinking and stay on.
3. Press the same Car2U button one more time. The red LED will go out.
4. Test by pressing the Car2U button again. Your garage door should now move.

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

If you wish to assign a Genie opener to button 2 or 3 on your Car2U system (since button 1 is 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. Press and hold the button you want to change to operate your Genie opener (either button 2 or 3). The corresponding LED will 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. That button is now programmed for your Genie opener. Repeat this step if you have a second Genie opener to program to another Car2U button.

NOTE: For further assistance, consult your vehicle’s manual, the Car2U website (learcar2u.com), or the Genie Company website (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 streamlining your daily routine. Enjoy the ease of opening your garage door with just the touch of a button in your car!