BMW E46 Homelink DIY doityourself

[kayger12]

Please click here for the new master thread for this DIY (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?10275-DIY-Homelink-Install-and-Programming-instructions)

I originally piggybacked this on Shadow's DIY thread to try and help out with some more detail for those who are not normally comfortable with DIY stuff.

After further consideration, I thought it was better to just put this in a supporting thread instead of jacking his.

Please use Shadow's DIY located here (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?243-DIY-Homelink-Install) as a reference, as it is well done and the one that I used as a guide for doing the install myself.

This is a great first DIY for someone who hasn't done DIY work yet as it is very easy and there is very little screw-up/damage potential.

For starters, removing the headliner trim panel is very simple. Use a plastic non-marring pry tool or trim removal tool to release the tabs at the front of the trim piece. Now you can pull it towards you and away from the sunroof motor cavity.

The things to remember when dealing with any trim piece are 1) Dull tools and 2) CLEAN HANDS!!

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_17-52-59_34-1.jpg

Disconnect sunroof switch connector by pulling it straight out.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_17-53-10_276-1.jpg

Do the same for the mic connector on the opposite side if you have one hooked up.

Now you have to hunt for the wiring harness. Mine was wrapped on the right side of the cavity where the red arrow is pointing below. All that was visible were the brown and green wires.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_17-57-55_805-1.jpg

Gently unwrap the black adhesive wrapping material and you will expose the business end of the harness.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_17-58-45_745-1.jpg

Now you can pull out the connector. You'll need some slack to get it plugged into the receptacle on the Homelink unit.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_17-59-25_342-1.jpg

The square area you see below is where you want to score with your cutting tool. I used a hobby knife to score it and then applied a little pressure from underneath (with clean hands) to break the plastic free. I also chose to leave the sunroof switch and mic in the trim piece, but you could just as easily remove them by pushing them out from the top.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_18-06-04_955.jpg

Now the plastic will be cut free, but it is still attached to the cloth by an adhesive. I used a sharp hobby knife to gently cut the adhesive free while simultaneously pulling up on the square plastic piece. Just remember to make sure you're placing your trim on a clean surface while you're working-- don't want to damage that beautiful anthracite...

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_18-10-22_761.jpg

Cut an "X" in the exposed fabric and work the Homelink unit in from the bottom. Take your time and make sure that you don't crimp the anthracite fabric.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_18-13-23_254.jpg

Now you're ready to button her up. Plug the newly retrieved connector into the Homelink unit. Make sure you push until you here it click.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_18-15-03_243.jpg

Now plug the sunroof connector and mic connector back in and she should look like this.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_18-15-50_661.jpg

Finish up by replacing the trim panel and you're good to go.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_18-17-28_285.jpg

As far as programming, I had to use the directions that Shadow linked to in his DIY. The instructions included with the Homelink did not get it working. Had to take the second step involving the learn button on the garage door opener unit as described on that site.

Anyway-- very easy DIY. Have at it boys and girls!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Good stuff, Keith. Can never have too much information. Another Homelink DIY FTW.

[jjcools]

Nice Keith. That is just what I needed, I cannot get mine to work even though it seems like it is right. I will check tonight but I may have the mic wire plugged in instead of the homelink. I could only find one wire up there and I have no mic. I'll see tonight. Thanks for the pics.

[kayger12]

No problem. Also, make sure if it is the right wire that it is all the way in.

I thought mine was properly seated, but when I gave it a good extra press to make sure, I heard it click in.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[lilcdkey]

Good write-up KG. I'll definitely be using this when my Homelink comes in tomorrow or Saturday.

[kayger12]

Thank you, sir.

One of my favorite interior mods. Clean, stock, and so damn convenient.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[shadowpuck]

well-done! great writeup.

agreed - easily one of my favorite additions to the car.
i'm now so used to having homelink that when i get in one of the other cars with a garage door remote i find myself trying to figure out why pressing non-existent buttons on the sunroof motor cover hasn't opened the door! :)

[kayger12]

Thank you, sir-- and thanks for paving the way and posting the original DIY.

You saved me a ton of trouble, especially with the programming info.

[Alphatek45]

Great DIY. Still on my to do list. I Think about it every time I get home and look at that ugly garage opener...

[lilcdkey]

Can somebody please help me out.. these are the only wiress i can find. I can't find the matching three pin wire for the homelink.1527

MOTOROLA ATRIX TAPATALK

[lilcdkey]

So i found the wire and the homelink is working properly but I can't get it to program. I dont see a "learn" button on the genie garage unit I have. I did all the other steps with no luck. Any advice guys?

[kayger12]

Open up the Genie where the light bulbs are and check there.

Mine has a small black button to the rear of the light bulbs iirc.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[johnrando]

Yup, as KG said, it's in the unit near the light bulbs. I don't think mine is a Genie but it's in there. IIRC, "pairing" was kind of a pain and it didn't work the first few times for me, so follow the instructions carefully.

[lilcdkey]

got it. thanks guys.

[Washburn]

So now that we're finally moving to a place with a garage, I am interested, and have a few "?"s:

1. Which version should I get? with or without rolling code? what does this depend on? my car or the garage door type?
what's the advantage of the rolling code type? (I guess more secure?)

EDIT: depends on the garage door: "... A Learn button, or Smart button in most cases means you have rolling code radio controls and the corresponding remote is tuned to the receiver using these buttons...."

2. how can one differentiate between the rolling and non rolling code type? they LOOK the same, don't they?

3. some ebay listing say compatible upto year 2003...why is that? what's different after that and how do I spot the compatible ones...Ebay sellers don't list part #s and idk how accurate their descriptions are anyway...

4. Where can I find the part number(s) for module(s) that fit my 2005 coupe?
EDIT:
5. So 82111470125 seems to cover rolling and non rolling - I guess for all years ???.

6. I looked at the link that was provided for programming:
in the pairing - after I let the homelink learn from existing remote, why do I have to fiddle with the garage door again? doesn't the new HL unit just "acquire" the same signal from the existing (old) remote, and work just like it?

EDIT: this is necessary for rolling code doors...if it's non rolling code, this step is not needed, from what I learned....

So I found some answers myself, BUT please feel free to add info or correct me or to give more in-depth answers...


Thanks so much.

[shadowpuck]

i don't believe anything really changed in the models other than some were backlit and others were not.

i *think* the rolling code models were backlit; just a guess though...

so, you can use a variety of bmw units in your e46.

i ordered mine at the dealer to avoid all this confusion; granted, that costs a bit more, but it wasn't that bad with my BMW CCA discount.

most newer openers (over the last several years) are going to be rolling code models; it'd be rather unusual to install a unit anytime in the last 5-10 years (i think that's right, going off of memory) that wasn't rolling code...

[Washburn]

Thanks a lot!
I am guessing the new(er) rolling code models will be probably back-lit.

[kayger12]

Mine is rolling code. Mine is back-lit (looks great at night).

I also bought mine from the dealer so I knew I was getting the right one (and one that worked).

[Washburn]

What's the part no of the one you got from the dealer?
I cannot find a part number (or the part) on BMWusa accessories section...they only show homelink RV mirrors....

[danewilson77]

Whats the price diff as well?

[Crickett]

What's the part no of the one you got from the dealer?
I cannot find a part number (or the part) on BMWusa accessories section...they only show homelink RV mirrors....

There are a ton of different versions of the headliner version. BMWFans.info lists P/N 82-11-1-470-125 (http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E46/Sedan/USA/330i-M54/LHD/N/2003/october/browse/vehicle_electrical_system/universal_transmitter/) as the part, & P/N 82-11-1-470-458 "for cars without sunroofs", though I can't see why that'd make a difference.

The versions found in X5s (which look like they'd work in our E46s) include P/N 61-31-8-380-869, 61-31-6-919-879, 61-31-6-981-941.

[kayger12]

What's the part no of the one you got from the dealer?
I cannot find a part number (or the part) on BMWusa accessories section...they only show homelink RV mirrors....

Standby. I'll check through my records. Brb.

[kayger12]

Paid $143.20.

Tischer doesn't have the part number in the order history so not sure on that.

[Washburn]

Thanks for the info guys...appreciate you guys looking all that up.
I've posted some WTB ads in the 3 bmw forums I frequent - will see how that goes...
if all fails, there's always ebay :)

[terraphantm]

Thanks for the info guys...appreciate you guys looking all that up.
I've posted some WTB ads in the 3 bmw forums I frequent - will see how that goes...
if all fails, there's always ebay :)

I think 82-11-1-470-125 is the latest part number. Assuming you have a sunroof. The non-sunroof models have a pretty different headliner piece

[bmshen]

Thanks for the DIY...put this in a few days ago, and it is great!! Got part number 8 380 869 off of ebay, shipped for $51, and it works with rolling codes. For what it is worth, I read on another forum that the homelinks with the white 1-2-3 numbers on the buttons work with rolling codes (8 830 869 has white numbers), while the black 1-2-3 numbered buttons do not work with rolling codes.

[kayger12]

^ Welcome. Thanks for the part #s and additional info.

[danewilson77]

Thanks for the DIY...put this in a few days ago, and it is great!! Got part number 8 380 869 off of ebay, shipped for $51, and it works with rolling codes. For what it is worth, I read on another forum that the homelinks with the white 1-2-3 numbers on the buttons work with rolling codes (8 830 869 has white numbers), while the black 1-2-3 numbered buttons do not work with rolling codes.

Welcome brutha.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[bmshen]

Thanks! Joined when I was looking for a ZHP, found my TiAg sedan late May last year and have been loving every mile of it!

[JupiterBMW]

Mucho Grassyass for this DIY... I've got my crosshairs on a couple on eBay right now, will see how the auctions pan out. I'm going with the ...380 869 part number which seems to be a lightup/rolling code capable unit.

So, thanks again!

[brettbimmer]

Keith's DIY works very well for me last week. Thanks K! Training the module can take a bit of trial & error, but mine worked when I used the links to the other pages relating to this. It involved "training" the homelink with the standard remote first, then setting it up with the training button on the garage door motor itself.