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, such as HomeLink or Car2U, offers unparalleled convenience. Imagine effortlessly opening your garage door as you approach home without fumbling for a separate remote. These in-car systems, typically featuring three buttons located on your visor or overhead console, operate directly from your vehicle’s power, eliminating the need for batteries and streamlining your access. Genie garage door openers are designed to be compatible with both HomeLink and Car2U, ensuring a seamless integration experience.

Cars equipped with HomeLink usually display a single LED indicator and often incorporate a house icon on the central button. Car2U systems are identifiable by three LED lights positioned above each button. This guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions to program your Genie garage door opener to both HomeLink and Car2U systems, ensuring a smooth setup process.

Programming Your Genie Garage Door Opener to HomeLink®

HomeLink is a widely adopted car-integrated system for controlling garage door openers and other home automation devices. Here’s how to program your Genie opener to a HomeLink system:

Step 1: Clear Existing HomeLink Programming

Before programming a new garage door opener, it’s advisable to clear any previous settings. To do this, press and hold the first and third buttons on your HomeLink system simultaneously. Keep holding them until the indicator light blinks 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.

Step 2: Train HomeLink with Your Genie Garage Door Opener Remote

Next, you need to teach your HomeLink system to recognize the signal from your Genie remote.

1. Choose the HomeLink button you wish to use for your Genie garage door opener.
2. Position your Genie remote approximately two inches away from the selected HomeLink button.
3. Press and hold the button on your Genie remote that you typically use to open your garage door.
4. While still holding the Genie remote button, press and hold the chosen HomeLink button at the same time.
5. 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: Synchronize HomeLink with the Genie Garage Door Opener

The final step involves syncing HomeLink with your actual 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 the powerhead of your Genie garage door opener. Press and hold this button until the round blue LED illuminates. Release the button. The long purple LED will then start flashing.
2. Press and hold the HomeLink button you programmed in Step 2 for two seconds, and then release. Repeat this press and release sequence one more time. The long LED on the opener will flash blue and then turn off.
3. Press the programmed HomeLink button a few more times to test if your garage door activates. The door should now respond to your HomeLink command.

For Older Genie Garage Door Openers (with a Learn Button):

1. Find the learn code button on your Genie garage door opener’s motor unit. Press and release this button. A red LED indicator will begin to blink.
2. Immediately press the desired HomeLink button one time. The red LED on the garage door opener will stop blinking and remain on.
3. Press the same HomeLink button a second time. The red LED will turn off.
4. Press the HomeLink button once more to test the programming. Your garage door should now open or close when you press the HomeLink button.

For more detailed instructions or troubleshooting, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, visit www.homelink.com, or the Genie Company website at www.GenieCompany.com.

Programming Your Genie Garage Door Opener to Car2U®

Car2U is another in-vehicle system designed for remote control of garage door openers and similar devices. Programming your Genie opener to Car2U involves a similar process to HomeLink, with a few specific steps.

Step 1: Reset Car2U to Factory Default Settings

Car2U systems come with default settings pre-assigned to each button:

• Button 1 = Genie® Openers
• Button 2 = LiftMaster® Openers
• Button 3 = Wayne Dalton® Openers

If you’re programming a Genie opener to a button other than Button 1, or if you want to clear previous programming, reset the system to defaults.

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 simultaneously for 20 seconds, or until all three LED indicators begin to flash.
2. 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.

Car2U buttons in a car for garage door programming

Step 2: Program Car2U to Recognize Your Genie Opener

Now, you need to program Car2U to learn the signal from your Genie garage door opener.

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 start flashing.
2. Press and hold the Car2U button you intend to use for your Genie opener for two seconds and release. Repeat this press and release sequence one more time. The long LED on the opener will flash blue and then turn off.
3. Press the programmed Car2U button a few times to check if the garage door responds.

For Older Genie Models (with a Learn Button):

1. Locate the learn code button on the garage door opener motor. Press and release the button. The red LED will begin to blink.
2. Press the desired Car2U button one time. The red LED will stop blinking and stay illuminated.
3. Press the same Car2U button again. The red LED will turn off.
4. Test the programming by pressing the Car2U button once more. The garage door should now operate.

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

If you wish to use Car2U button 2 or 3 for your Genie opener (which are initially set for other brands), you’ll need to change the factory default assignment:

1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 on the Car2U system for ONE SECOND and release. All three LEDs will light up solid red.
2. Press and hold the button you want to reassign to Genie (either button 2 or 3). While holding it, press and release button 1, and then press and release button 1 again. The LED corresponding to the button you are holding will flash.
3. Release the button you held in step 2 and wait for the LED to stop flashing. This button is now programmed for your Genie garage door opener. Repeat this step if you want to program a second Car2U button for another Genie opener.

For further assistance, consult your vehicle’s manual, visit learcar2u.com, or the Genie Company website.

By following these instructions, you can easily program your Genie garage door opener to your car’s HomeLink or Car2U system, adding convenience and streamlining your daily routine.