Program Your Car to Genie Garage Door Opener: Intellicode & In-Car Systems Explained

Effortlessly opening your garage door as you arrive home is a luxury many modern cars offer. HomeLink and Car2U are integrated car technologies designed for this convenience, allowing you to control your garage door without needing a separate remote. These systems, typically found as three buttons on your visor or overhead console, draw power directly from your car’s electrical system, eliminating the need for batteries. Good news for Genie garage door opener owners: both HomeLink and Car2U are fully compatible with Genie systems.

Cars equipped with HomeLink are identifiable by a single LED indicator and often feature a house icon above the central button. Car2U systems, on the other hand, have three LED lights, one above each button.

Distinguishing HomeLink and Car2U Buttons

This guide will walk you through programming both HomeLink and Car2U to seamlessly operate your Genie garage door opener, enhancing your daily convenience and home access.

Programming Your HomeLink System for Genie Intellicode

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

Begin by clearing any previously programmed garage door openers from your HomeLink system. To do this, press and hold the outermost buttons (usually button 1 and button 3) simultaneously for approximately 20 seconds. The HomeLink indicator light will initially blink slowly and then transition to a rapid blink. Once you see the fast blinking, release both buttons.

Important Note: Clearing HomeLink will erase all previously programmed devices. You will need to reprogram all devices you wish to control with HomeLink after this step.

Step 2: Teach HomeLink Using Your Genie Remote Control

Decide which HomeLink button you want to use for your Genie garage door opener. Take your existing Genie remote and position it close to the chosen HomeLink button, ideally about two inches away. 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, immediately press and hold the selected HomeLink button in your car. 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: Sync HomeLink with Your Genie Opener Unit

The final step involves syncing the programmed HomeLink button with your Genie garage door opener unit itself. The process 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 motor unit (powerhead). Press and hold this button until a round blue LED illuminates. Once lit, release the button. A long purple LED will then begin to flash.
2. Immediately press and hold the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 for two seconds, and then release. Repeat this press and release sequence for the same HomeLink button a second time. The long LED on the opener unit should flash blue and then turn off.
3. Test the programming by pressing the HomeLink button a few times. Your garage door should now activate. If it doesn’t move on the first press, continue pressing the button a few more times.

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 quickly release this button. A red LED indicator will begin to blink.
2. Within 30 seconds of pressing the learn button, press the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 once. The red LED on the opener unit should stop blinking and remain on.
3. Press the same HomeLink button a second time. The red LED should now turn off.
4. Test the connection by pressing the HomeLink button again. Your Genie garage door should now open or close.

Need More Help? Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, visit HomeLink’s official website, or the Genie Company website for further assistance and troubleshooting tips.

Programming Your Car2U System to Work with Genie Garage Door Openers

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

Step 1: Reset Car2U to Factory Default Settings

Car2U systems come with pre-programmed default settings for each button:

• Button 1: Defaulted to Genie openers
• Button 2: Defaulted to LiftMaster openers
• Button 3: Defaulted to Wayne Dalton openers

While Button 1 is defaulted to Genie, resetting to factory settings can sometimes resolve programming issues or prepare the system for reprogramming. To reset, press and hold buttons 1 and 3 simultaneously for 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 default settings.

Important Note: Resetting Car2U will clear any previously programmed garage door openers, including Genie or other brands.

Car2U buttons in a car for garage access

Step 2: Program Car2U to Recognize Your Genie Opener

The programming process for Car2U to learn your Genie opener is similar to HomeLink, and again, varies slightly between newer and older Genie models.

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, then release. The long purple LED will start flashing.
2. Press and hold the Car2U button you wish to program for your Genie opener for two seconds, then release. Repeat this press and release sequence for the same Car2U button a second time. The long LED on the opener should flash blue and then turn off.
3. Test the connection by pressing the programmed Car2U button a few times until your garage door moves.

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 on the opener will stop blinking and stay illuminated.
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 respond.

Step 3: Reassigning Factory Default Button for a Genie Opener (If Needed)

If you wish to use Car2U buttons 2 or 3 for your Genie opener, you’ll need to reassign them from their default manufacturer.

1. Press and hold Car2U buttons 1 and 3 for just ONE SECOND, then release. All three LEDs will light up solid red.
2. Press and hold the button you want to change to Genie (either button 2 or 3). The corresponding LED will 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 set for Genie. Repeat Step 2 if you want to program a second Car2U button for another Genie opener.

Need Further Assistance? Consult your vehicle’s manual, visit learcar2u.com, or www.GenieCompany.com for more help and troubleshooting tips.

By following these steps, you can easily program your car’s integrated system to control your Genie garage door opener, adding convenience and seamless access to your home.