Programming your car’s built-in garage door opener system can greatly enhance convenience. However, older garage door openers, like some Stanley Vemco models, may lack a “learn” button, presenting a unique challenge. This guide provides a workaround using a universal garage door remote to successfully program your Stanley Vemco opener to your car.
Understanding the Challenge: Older Stanley Vemco Openers
Many modern garage door openers feature a “learn” or “program” button that simplifies the programming process with car systems. However, older Stanley Vemco openers, often found in homes with Overhead Door systems, operate using DIP switches. These switches, numbered typically from 1 to 9, are set to either the “ON” or “OFF” position to establish the security code for your garage door. This system predates the rolling code technology and learn button methods common today.
The Universal Remote Solution
To bridge the gap between your older Stanley Vemco opener and your car’sHomelink or similar system, a universal garage door remote serves as an intermediary. A universal remote, like the Chamberlain KLIK1U Clicker, can be programmed to mimic the DIP switch settings of your Stanley Vemco opener. Once the universal remote is programmed, it can then be paired with your car’s garage door opener system.
Step 1: Programming the Universal Remote to Your Stanley Vemco Opener
This step involves configuring the universal remote to communicate with your Stanley Vemco opener by replicating its DIP switch settings.
- Access Your Stanley Vemco Opener Switches: Locate the control panel on your Stanley Vemco garage door opener unit. Open the cover to reveal the DIP switches.
- Record the Switch Settings: Observe the position of each switch (ON or OFF). For example, in the original post, the code was “134678” which corresponds to switches 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 being ON, while 2, 5, and 9 are OFF. Note down your specific switch configuration.
- Open the Universal Remote: Open your universal remote to access its internal DIP switches.
- Match the Switch Settings: Configure the DIP switches inside the universal remote to precisely match the settings you recorded from your Stanley Vemco opener.
- Engage the “Learn” Function (If Available on Remote): Some universal remotes have a “learn” button in addition to DIP switches. If your remote has one, press and release it. This may activate an LED indicator on the remote.
- Test the Universal Remote: Press the button on your universal remote. Your Stanley Vemco garage door should activate, confirming successful programming of the universal remote to your opener.
Alt text: Chamberlain KLIK1U universal garage door remote for programming older garage door openers.
Step 2: Programming the Universal Remote to Your Car
With the universal remote now working with your Stanley Vemco opener, the next step is to program your car’s built-in system to recognize the universal remote’s signal. The process may vary slightly depending on your car’s make and model, but the general steps are similar, often involving the Homelink system or a comparable integrated garage door opener.
- Clear Existing Car Programs (If Necessary): If you are programming a new button or encountering issues, you might need to clear existing programs. For many car systems, this involves pressing and holding the outer two buttons on your car’s built-in opener system until the indicator light blinks rapidly, clearing previous settings. Note: Refer to your car’s manual for specific instructions on clearing memory.
- Initiate Car Programming Mode: Press and hold the button in your car that you want to program to your garage door. Keep it pressed until the indicator light begins to blink slowly. This indicates the system is in learning mode.
- Transmit Signal from Universal Remote: Immediately press and hold the programmed button on your universal remote close to your car’s rearview mirror or designated Homelink area.
- Observe Indicator Lights: Watch for the indicator light in your car. It should transition from a slow blink to a rapid blink. This rapid blinking indicates that your car has successfully learned the signal from the universal remote.
- Release Buttons: Release both the button in your car and the button on the universal remote.
- Test the Car Programming: Press the programmed button in your car. Your Stanley Vemco garage door should now open and close, indicating successful programming.
Conclusion
While older Stanley Vemco garage door openers lack the modern convenience of a “learn” button, programming them to your car is achievable with the help of a universal remote. By first programming the universal remote to mimic your opener’s DIP switch settings and then training your car’s system to recognize the universal remote, you can seamlessly integrate your garage door control into your vehicle. This method provides a practical solution for enjoying the convenience of in-car garage door operation, even with older opener systems.
