DIY Homelink Install for BMW E46 doityourself

[shadowpuck]

The Homelink transmitter was an option on the e46, as well as a variety of other vehicles.
The transmitters are widely available through most of the usual outlets, and can be had used as well.

Installation is about as easy as it gets.

Remove the sunroof switch panel from the car. Use a little finesse when removing it, but it should just pop right out.
Disconnect the sunroof switch, as well as the microphone (if so equipped).

Here's a shot of the transmitter itself, along with the panel out of the car:

http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/39490-2/IMG_4859.JPG

http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/39495-2/IMG_4860.JPG

Turn the panel upside down after removing the sunroof switch and the microphone cover. Both of these just
pop out of the panel.

You'll see a pre-scored area in the center of the panel. Cut this out using an appropriate knife, or plasma
cutter.

http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/39501-2/IMG_4862.JPG

Next, cut an "X" in the fabric where the homelink transmitter will go.

Next, install the transmitter - it was a tight fit but it'll eventually pop into place.

http://www.kcbmwclub.com/gallery/d/39504-2/IMG_4864.JPG


Installation in the car is pretty simple. You'll find a wire off to the side of the sunroof motor, and this will have the connector you need for the transmitter. Reconnect anything that was previously disconnected (sunroof switch, microphone, etc.) Route the wires out of the way and reinstall the panel.

Programming is pretty easy as well, although I found the instructions provided with the transmitter to be useless on my opener. I found a link online (http://www.coderetard.com/2008/10/01/how-to-program-homelink-with-rolling-code-garage-doors/) and that worked perfectly.

Installation time: 20-30 minutes
Installation Difficulty: 1 (anyone can do this!)

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Thanks for posting this. Excellent DIY.

[danewilson77]

Bro..great job. I am doing this. I have a couple of requests.

1. Price & P/N of the transmitter.
2. Do you have any pics of the wire by the sunroof motor?

Again, excellant job.

[shadowpuck]

here's the PN I used.....
82111470125

It was about $140 new - they can be found used for anywhere from $50-$120 when I was looking. There's several variations, though, and I decided to buy a new one instead of trying to guess which one supported rolling codes, or didn't look like it came out of a dump truck.......

I don't have a photo of the wire; there's a few up there depending upon which options you have. The wire should be located over by the OEM microphone location; wrapped up in a bundle.

[danewilson77]

Thanks Puck.

[zhp43867]

Just ordered a rolling code homelink off of eBay (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574947307&toolid=10001&campid=5336776893&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2FBMW-Home-Link-Switch-Module-E38-740i-SEDAN-740-parts-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem51978f9183QQitemZ35043 5119491QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries) for $65. Thanks for the DIY

[shadowpuck]

excellent! it's a small addition, but it's one that i really like. it's nice to not have to carry the garage door opener around anymore.....
install is simple, probably take longer to program the remote than to install....

[jjcools]

Wow, that looks too easy. I am going to look for a home link now.

Thanks for the write up

[shadowpuck]

awesome......it's one of my favorite additions to the car. really nice to not have to carry around the garage door opener anymore.....

[NDubSki]

Ebay... $80

Adding it to my list. Thanks for the write-up!

[jjcools]

Does the unit you bought illuminate when the lights are on?

I purchased one on ebay used and it does not work. It is supposed to illuminate when the lights are on and nothing.

[jjcools]

Did you connector have 3 prongs or 2??

[Mike V]

Mine illuminates when the lights are on but I can't remember if it's 3 prong or 2.

[shadowpuck]

mine lights up as well when the lights are on; however, i recall there were some versions that did not light up.
i can't remember either if the connector is 2 or 3......

[gr330zhp]

Wow very cool! I'll be doing this in the spring for sure :)

[kayger12]

Yeah- this is definitely on the list for me.

[jjcools]

I am going to have to send this one back and try another. I pulled the cover and there are a couple wires in there that are not connected and look like they connect to each other. Did anyone else see this??

[Mike V]

I am going to have to send this one back and try another. I pulled the cover and there are a couple wires in there that are not connected and look like they connect to each other. Did anyone else see this??

Are you talking about the cover on the car where the HomeLink unit installs or a cover on the HomeLink unit itself?

[jjcools]

Cover on the car where the sunroof switch is.

[Mike V]

Cover on the car where the sunroof switch is.

There were quite a few unused connectors stuffed up there in mine. They were all wrapped in tape. It took me a while to find the one that fit. If I remember right, the one you need is off to the side of the sunroof motor.

[Pooters]

I knew that stupid little vent looking thing did nothing purposeful.

[jjcools]

I am going to have to dig into the roof harder. My connection looks like it will fit but it is a tad off from the connections needed on the remote. I have not been able to find any other wires unused up there. :dunno

[jsachs71]

Anybody venture to instead replace the rearview mirror with a homelink unit? More pricey, but was thinking to do that... Assume that it would be about as easy, connecting the same wire, only to the mirror. From all I've read, should be an easy swap with the stock and doesn't effect the rain sensor wipers either... Just a thought. Of course, then also thought of homelink AND compas mirror. Now WELL more pricey!

[danewilson77]

Correct me if I'm wrong....but the homelink mirror with the compass.....has to be auto-dimming?

[jsachs71]

errr... could be. That mean it won't work...? hmmmm.

[danewilson77]

No...that's not why I asked that.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

No...that's not why I asked that.

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Why did you ask? I figure someone is going to ask -- may as well be me. :biggrin

[kayger12]

I'm guessing the auto-drip risk.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Oh, yeah. Corrosive as all get out. I'll be ever vigilant once I get the M3 rearview mirror installed on mine.

[danewilson77]

I'm guessing the auto-drip risk.

This. I will never again support the auto-dimm mirror based on two things.

1. I had read and heard of the horror story...told by one guy....who had to replace his front seats.

2. My buddy who just bought that vert zhp (Yes..he hasn't joined yet.....but he's left handed...so I understand....and he's on an aircraft carrier...so doesn't have much time). I told him of this, and I sheeet you not.....it happened to him.....while his wife had the car. He had briefed her on this....and I guess she ws sitting there trying to catch this chemical in her hands.....to keep it from getting on the interior.

[jsachs71]

ok... so, ignorance (more ignorance) about to be exposed... Let me get this straight: the auto dim's eventually crap out and all the guts drip out, obviously destroying everything in its/their wake? I had no idea... That sounds much less interesting now... LOVING the mafia!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Yes. I have actually seen the damage in person. The stuff immediately start eating into whatever it lands on. That's why I will not buy any mirrors that already have the little circle developing (or the pooling starting).

[ryankokesh]

Any way to tell that this is imminent and get the mirror out of there before it starts?

[danewilson77]

Yes...you can tell its imminent if your mirror has fluid in it. That's how I think of it at least.

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[mikeyb74]

Added this to my DIY Mod list.

[Mike V]

Added this to my DIY Mod list.

It's so worth it! I really like the HomeLink.

My garage door opener has me baffled though. When we had the Mazdaspeed3 (also had HomeLink) and ZHP in the garage, we could use both HomeLink units without a problem. Now for whatever reason, the opener won't accept both of the BMW HomeLink units (we replaced the Mazdaspeed3 with an X5). When I program one, the other is wiped out.

[mimalmo]

I keep putting this off. I gotta just do it. Sure would be nice to lose the garage door opener remote.

[danewilson77]

I keep putting this off. I gotta just do it. Sure would be nice to lose the garage door opener remote.

+ 1....I hate having to keep it in my cup holder...

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[JHiggy]

All I do is ask questions. Sucks.

Not sure about anyone else but pertinent to where the Homelink is installed, my sunroof/mic cover's (the panel) plastic prongs have become bent and it drops from time to time. Does anyone know of the part # for a replacement? Thanks in advance.

[danewilson77]

I got you.......hang tight.

[danewilson77]

Sedan

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV53&mospid=47725&btnr=51_3251&hg=51&fg=40

Coupe

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BD53&mospid=47713&btnr=51_3736&hg=51&fg=40

Both are for 2/2004 model month and year...but shouldn't matter. I don't even know if there is a diff between coupe and sedan to be honest...but thought I would provide both.

They look different.

[JHiggy]

Pow! Thanks Dane!

[danewilson77]

POW! That's how I roll!