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Here's something I've been wanting to do for awhile.
I've always disliked carrying around my garage door opener in the car. You park at a car show and you have to either carry it around with you, or hide it somewhere. I'm in a convertible, so usually the top is down.
I did this same mod to a C5 I had several years ago and I loved it. It went in the sun visor on the C5 and tapped into the vanity mirror light circuit. Not really an option on the C3, as far as I'm concerned.
I wanted this to be unobtrusive, easily reached from the driver's seat, and I wanted to be able to quickly convert it back to stock, if needed. I chose to put it in the forward console side panel.
I advertised in the parts section for a donor panel so I wouldn't have to cut up my current one. Tfringo came through with a useable piece at a great price. It was even the right color! Thanks Terry!
It already had the two largest holes. I had to add a couple to accommodate the homelink's buttons and light. I'm not sure what the two rivets were installed for, but oh well.
I purchased a homelink module off of ebay for about $20. I removed the bezel and dyed it to match the panel.
Next, I had to grind away quite a bit of the back of the panel to accommodate the module. Otherwise, the tabs on the bezel would not reach far enough through the panel to snap back into the module. I went as far as I felt comfortable with. Definitely didn't want to grind through to the surface.
Even so, the bezel would barely snap on. I ended up drilling a hole in the module cover, then putting a dab of quick setting epoxy on it to bind the module to the panel, as well as putting some epoxy on the tabs of the bezel to keep them secure.
Wiring was simple. There's a power lead and a ground. I tapped into the ground and 12v switched wires going to my stereo. The ignition must be on in order to open the garage door. Programming instructions are available online.
Here's the finished product. You may notice that the bezel is upside down. That was necessary due to the positioning of the holes that were already present in the panel and the fact that the bezel can only be installed one way on the module . If I had used an intact panel, I would've put it in the other way. Not a big deal to me. It's down out of the way and not staring me in the face.
It wouldn't have been easier to hang one on your keychain?
Originally Posted by revitup
I'm sure I'm missing something but how is that better than just hanging a small battery powered fob on your key ring?
Honestly, maybe it's not "better" or easier. I never even thought about using a fob for a garage door opener, so I didn't consider the option. Even so, I wouldn't have gone that route. I've got enough car fobs and keys and grocery store shopping cards hanging on my key chain as it is!
Originally Posted by Peterbuilt
Upside down and backward!
You get one star * and a participation trophy.
Originally Posted by wer2xu
Looks good, but are Phoenix car shows that rough?
Ha! Not as rough as the forum sometimes!
Actually, no. I just like this option and not having to worry about some jerk stealing the opener, or some other jerk (me) forgetting to bring the garage door opener along. I've got homelink on my Tundra and it's what I'm used to and what I like.
Does homelink have an app you can use? I have a liftmaster that opens and closes with an app...plus i know when someone leaves the door open.
I don't think so. Their website advertises them as a "vehicle-based wireless control system".
I see the Liftmaster system uses an internet gateway device (Amazon, $56.30) which only works with MyQ enabled door openers. That'd be cool, if I already had that type of garage door opener. It'd be nice to be able to check if the door is open or not. There's been more than a time or two where I drove away from my home, then turned around and went back to make sure I shut the garage!
For me, this was the best option. I have an older door opener, but it's still rolling code and the homelink works with it. I'm all-in for under $40, plus the time it took me to install. I figured I'd show others who might be interested. There will always be more than one way to skin a cat.
I have found several homelink rear view mirrors at pick a part wrecking yards. I installed one in my 1978 with compass and temp. Compass is self contained in the mirror and temp sensor was just one wire out to the front of the car. Makes a nice update on an older car.
Damn, now I have another decision to make! Mirror or low mount. By the way, I think they're both great ideas (wish I woulda came up with them) and it may just be the motivator I need to fix the Door Opener
07-05-2018, 12:24 AM
Homelink garage door opener
Who knew a homelink installed in a C3 would be so controversial?
