Setup In-Car Garage Door Remote

  • Advice for Using Your In-Car Garage Door Remote Control
  • Your car may have come equipped with a remote control to operate your electronic garage door opener. The controller is actually a simple transmitter. It transmits a signal to the receiver located in your garage. 
  • Depending on the age of your vehicle and the age of your garage door opener, the transmitter might not seem to work. Here’s how to correct the problem.
  • In most cases, incompatibility is not an issue. The transmitter’s signal should be set to the same frequency as your receiver. The problem is usually the rolling code technology, which has been in use since 1997.
  • If it were not for the rolling code technology, your transmitter would open anyone’s garage door. The technology was developed as electric garage door openers became more popular. It is an added security feature. 
  • All receivers manufactured after 1984 are set up to receive signals in the 300-400MHz range. The transmitter in your car may send out a signal at 315 or 390, because those are the frequencies that are most commonly used today. 
  • But, even an older receiver should still accept the more limited signals. Any receiver that includes the rolling code technology will not accept the signal until it “learns” to do so. 
  • In order to teach your system, you will need to locate the “learn” button. It is usually located near the area of the motor and the floppy antenna. When the button is pushed, you will see either a green, amber or purple indicator light. 
  • You don’t want to push the learn button until you clear out any programming included in your car’s transmitter. The factory or a previous owner could have pre-programmed the remote.
  • In order to clear the programming, look for two buttons, one on either side of the remote. Press the two buttons simultaneously until a red light begins flashing rapidly. It could take a minute for the red light to start flashing.
     
  • In some cars, it is necessary to turn on the ignition before you can clear the programming. This will also mean that the transmitter will not work unless your engine is running. If the red light does not appear after a minute or so, try starting your engine.
  • Once you have cleared the transmitter, return to your garage and press the learn button. The indicator light will come on and in most cases stay lit, although in openers manufactured by Genie, the indicator light flashes.
  • Return to your car and press your transmitter button until the garage door starts to move. Do not hold the button continuously. Press it as you normally would. Wait a second or two and then press it again. It should only take three or four clicks before the system learns to accept the new signal and your door starts to move.
  • Once the door moves, the in-car transmitter should work correctly for you all of the time. If you are still having problems, contact your dealership or check your owner’s manual for additional advice. Assuming your other remotes and your wall unit works properly, the problem is not with your garage door opener.