How to Program Your Genie Garage Door Opener to Your Car

Integrating your Genie garage door opener with your car’s built-in remote system offers unparalleled convenience. Technologies like HomeLink and Car2U allow you to control your garage door directly from your vehicle, eliminating the need for a separate handheld remote. These systems, typically found with buttons on your visor or overhead console, are powered by your car’s electrical system, meaning no batteries to replace. Both HomeLink and Car2U are designed to be compatible with Genie garage door openers, making your daily comings and goings smoother. Cars equipped with HomeLink usually feature a single LED indicator and often display a house icon above the central button. Car2U systems are recognizable by three LED lights, one above each button.

Programming Your HomeLink System

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

Step 1: Clear Existing HomeLink Programming

To begin, it’s recommended to clear any previously programmed settings from your HomeLink system. This ensures a clean slate for programming your Genie opener. Press and hold the outer two HomeLink buttons (usually the first and third) simultaneously. Keep holding them until the indicator light on the HomeLink system starts to blink slowly and then rapidly. This process usually takes about 20 seconds. Once the indicator blinks rapidly, release both buttons.

NOTE: Clearing HomeLink will erase all previously programmed devices, so you’ll need to reprogram any other garage door openers or devices linked to your HomeLink system.

Step 2: Teach HomeLink with Your Genie Remote

Next, you need to train your HomeLink system to recognize the signal from your Genie remote. Select the HomeLink button you wish to use for your Genie garage door 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. Continue to hold both buttons until the HomeLink indicator light blinks slowly and then changes to a rapid blink. Once it blinks rapidly, release both buttons.

Step 3: Program 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):

1. Locate the PROGRAM button on your Genie garage door opener powerhead. Press and hold this button until a round blue LED illuminates. Release the button. A long purple LED will then begin to flash.
2. Press and hold the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 for two seconds, then release. Repeat this press and release process a second time. The long LED on your Genie opener will flash blue and then turn off.
3. Test the connection by pressing the programmed HomeLink button a few more times. Your garage door should now activate.

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 indicator will start to blink.
2. Immediately press the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 once. The red LED on the opener should stop blinking and remain on steadily.
3. Press the same HomeLink button a second time. The red LED will turn off.
4. Test the programming by pressing the HomeLink button again. Your Genie garage door should now open or close.

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

Programming Your Car2U System

For detailed instructions in PDF format, you can consult the Car2U Programming Guide.

Step 1: Reset Car2U to Factory Default

The Car2U system comes with default settings that assign specific manufacturers to each button. By default: Button 1 is set for Genie® openers, Button 2 for LiftMaster® openers, and Button 3 for Wayne Dalton® openers. If you are programming a Genie opener to Button 2 or 3, or want to start fresh, you can reset the Car2U system to its factory defaults.

Car2U in car buttons for garage door programming

1. To reset, press and hold buttons 1 and 3 simultaneously for approximately 20 seconds, or until all three LED lights above the buttons begin to flash.
2. Once the LEDs are flashing, release both buttons. The Car2U system is now reset to its factory default settings.

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

Step 2: Program Car2U to Your Genie Opener

Programming Car2U to your Genie opener involves a similar process to HomeLink, with slight variations depending on your Genie model.

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 begin to flash.
2. Press and hold the Car2U button you wish to program for your Genie opener for two seconds and release. Repeat this press and release process a second time. The long LED on your Genie opener will flash blue and then turn off.
3. Test the programming by pressing the Car2U button a few times. Your garage door should now respond.

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 indicator will start to blink.
2. Press the 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. Press the Car2U button again to test. Your garage door should now activate.

Step 3: Changing Factory Default Button for a Genie Opener (Car2U)

If you wish to use Car2U button 2 or 3 for your Genie opener and want to ensure it’s correctly configured, follow these steps to change the factory default setting for a specific button to Genie.

1. Press and hold Car2U buttons 1 and 3 for just ONE SECOND and release. All three LEDs will light up solid red.
2. Press and hold the Car2U button you want to change to a Genie setting (button 2 or 3). The corresponding LED above that button will begin to flash. While continuing to hold this button, press and release button 1, and then press and release button 1 again.
3. Release the button you held down in step 2 and wait for the LED to stop flashing. This button is now configured for Genie. Repeat this step if you want to program another Car2U button for a second Genie opener.

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