Effortlessly Program Your Genie Garage Door Opener to Your Car (HomeLink & Car2U)

Integrating your Genie garage door opener with your car’s built-in remote system, whether it’s HomeLink or Car2U, offers unparalleled convenience. Imagine arriving home and effortlessly opening your garage door with the press of a button already integrated into your vehicle. No more fumbling for separate remotes! Both HomeLink and Car2U are in-car systems designed to do just that, allowing seamless garage door operation directly from your car. These systems are typically found with three buttons located on your car’s visor or overhead console. The advantage of using these systems is their direct power source from your car’s electrical system, eliminating the need for batteries, unlike traditional handheld garage door opener remotes. The good news is that Genie garage door openers are fully compatible with both HomeLink and Car2U.

Cars equipped with HomeLink systems are identifiable by a single LED indicator, often accompanied by a house icon above the central button. In contrast, Car2U-equipped vehicles feature three LED lights, one above each button.

Programming Your HomeLink® System for Genie Openers

For detailed instructions in PDF format, you can refer to the HomeLink Programming Guide. A helpful video tutorial is also available here.

Step 1: Clearing the HomeLink System

Begin by clearing any previous programming from your HomeLink system. To do this, press and hold the outermost left and right buttons (usually button 1 and button 3) simultaneously. Keep holding them down until the HomeLink indicator light starts blinking slowly, and then rapidly. This process should take about 20 seconds. Once the indicator blinks rapidly, release both buttons.

NOTE: Clearing HomeLink will erase all previously programmed devices, including any existing garage door openers.

Step 2: Training HomeLink with Your Genie Remote Control

Decide which HomeLink button you want to use to control your Genie garage door. Take your handheld Genie remote and position it close to the chosen HomeLink button, approximately two inches away. Press and hold the button on your Genie remote that you typically use to open your garage door. While keeping the Genie remote button pressed, immediately press and hold the selected HomeLink button at the same time. Continue holding both buttons until the HomeLink indicator light changes from a slow blink to a rapid blink. Once it blinks rapidly, release both buttons.

Step 3: Pairing HomeLink with Your Genie Garage Door Opener

The next step depends on whether you have a newer or older Genie garage door opener model.

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

1. Locate the PROGRAM button on your Genie garage door opener motor unit (powerhead). Press and hold this PROGRAM button until a round blue LED light turns ON. Once it’s lit, release the PROGRAM button. A long purple LED will then start flashing.
2. Immediately press and hold the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 for two seconds, and then release it. Press the same HomeLink button again for another two seconds and release. The long LED on the opener will flash blue and then turn off.
3. Test the connection by pressing the programmed HomeLink button a few times. Your Genie garage door should now activate and move. If it doesn’t work on the first try, repeat steps 2 and 3.

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

1. Find the learn code button on your Genie garage door opener’s powerhead. Press and release this “learn” button. A red LED light will start to blink.
2. Within 30 seconds of pressing the learn button, press and release the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 one time. The red LED on the opener will stop blinking and remain on.
3. Press and release the same programmed HomeLink button a second time. The red LED will now turn off.
4. Test the programming by pressing the HomeLink button again. Your Genie garage door should now open or close. If not, repeat steps 2-4.

NOTE: For more detailed instructions and troubleshooting, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual, visit HomeLink’s official website, or the Genie Company website.

Setting Up Your Car2U® System with Your Genie Garage Door Opener

Detailed PDF instructions for Car2U programming can be found in the Car2U Programming Guide.

The Car2U system comes with default settings for each button:

• Button 1: Pre-set for Genie® manufactured openers.
• Button 2: Pre-set for LiftMaster® manufactured openers.
• Button 3: Pre-set for Wayne Dalton® manufactured openers.

Car2U buttons in a car for controlling garage access

Step 1: Resetting Car2U to Factory Default Settings

If you need to start fresh or are encountering issues, you can reset your Car2U system back to its factory default settings. To do this, press and hold buttons 1 and 3 simultaneously for approximately 20 seconds. Continue holding until all three LED lights above the buttons start flashing.

2. Once all three LEDs begin to flash, release both buttons. The Car2U system is now reset to its factory default settings.

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

Step 2: Programming Car2U to Operate Your Genie Opener

Programming Car2U to your Genie opener is similar to HomeLink, with slight variations depending on your Genie model’s age.

For Newer Genie Models (with a Program Button):

1. Locate the PROGRAM button on your Genie garage door opener powerhead. Press and hold it until the round blue LED illuminates and stays ON. Release the button. The long purple LED will start to flash.
2. Press and hold the Car2U button you wish 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 opener will flash blue and then turn off.
3. Press the programmed Car2U button a few times to test. Your Genie door should now respond. If not, repeat steps 2 and 3.

For Older Genie Models (with a Learn Button):

1. Locate the learn code button on your Genie garage door opener powerhead. Press and release the learn code button. The red LED will start to blink.
2. Within 30 seconds, press your desired Car2U button one time. The red LED will stop blinking and remain on.
3. Press the same Car2U button one more time. The red LED will turn off.
4. Test by pressing the Car2U button again. The garage door should now move. If not, repeat steps 2-4.

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

If you want to use a different Car2U button for your Genie opener than the default Button 1, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 together for just ONE SECOND, and then release. All three LEDs above the Car2U buttons will light up solid red.
2. Decide which button (2 or 3) you want to reassign to your Genie opener. Press and hold this chosen button (2 or 3). While continuing to hold it, press and release button 1, and then press and release button 1 again. The LED corresponding to the button you are holding (button 2 or 3) will start flashing.
3. Release the button you are holding in step 2 and wait for its LED to stop flashing. This button is now programmed for your Genie opener. Repeat Step 2 if you have a second Genie opener to program to another button.

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