E28/30 Homelink Install by Brad Denton

Page 1 of 7 e30tech.com Forums> Technical> Electronics & Lighting DIY Homelink Install User Name User Name Password Remember Me? Log in Register FAQ Members List Sponsors Advertise Shop Today's Posts Search Thread Tools Display Modes 09-17-2009, 01:30 PM Big Bronze Rim Senior Member DIY Homelink Install E28/30 Homelink Install by Brad Denton This install was performed on an E28. Installation in an E30 will be similar, only requiring a slightly different location for switch mounting. E30: 535is turbo Location: San Antonio, Texas Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 230 Purpose: Many new vehicles come with Homelink installed. It offers a high level of convenience and security by consolidating all of your "openers" and pr you from having to leave them in your vehicle. Since the e28 was never blessed with the convenience of Homelink, I decided to retrofit a mode into the car and have it look discreet. The Install: The Homelink modules are standardized regardless of the vehicle they are installed in. Only the buttons vary. The unit that I used was purchase ebay for $15 and was from a Lincoln vehicle.

Page 2 of 7 (The grey wire exiting the right side is the remote button wire that I added. It is not part of the original unit.) Make sure that the unit that you purchase is a later model that is compatible with rolling security codes. Early units will not work with many new and garage doors. The unit is very small, only slightly larger than a deck of cards. The unit only requires switched 12V and a ground making a basic installation very easy. While I could have used the existing buttons and bezel, actually matches my llama interior quite well, I wanted a more discreet set of buttons and did not want to cut up any of the interior to mount th My solution was to bypass the on-board switches and remote mount them by using a factory BMW window switch. Any momentary switch would though. Since the window switch only has two buttons, you can only control two devices. I chose to use the outer buttons so that the unit can b programmed from the remote buttons. Here is the board and the location of the remote switch wiring. There are existing solder pads which mak adding wiring very easy. I used a run of two pair shielded wire to make for a clean wiring run to the switch. I mounted the control unit above th glovebox with some double sided tape.

Page 3 of 7 -Button Modification: The factory operation of the BMW window switch is not optimal for operating the Homelink module. The contacts share a common power pin an the other pins between power and ground. I wanted two independent switches so internal modifications were required. The image below summa the changes made inside the switch.

Page 4 of 7 Since the contact wipers are now changed the button on the side with the bent vertical tab needs its contact bent inwards so that it will not inte with its operation.

Page 5 of 7 I mounted the window switch next to the radio in the location where the original fader used to sit. It is right at hand and looks very factory. Programming: Programming the unit is extremely easy. For the first time of use turn the ignition on and hold down either the two outer buttons or your remot buttons for approximately 20 seconds until the led flashes rapidly. This clears any old codes stored in the unit. To program hold down the butto channel you wish to program and simultaneously hold the button on your original transmitter. Do this until the light flashes rapidly confirming t has stored the code. If you have a garage door with a rolling code you will now need to sync up the devices. Press the "learn" button on your ga door or gate unit and then press the button that you previously programmed and it learn the new transmitted code and everything should work Conclusion: This is one of the best simple mods I have made to my car. For less than an hour of my time I have added a high level of convenience to the ca works extremely well and looks very stock. For less than $30 (depending on what you pay for your unit and switch of choice) it is a great upgra would recommend it to everyone! -Brad '87 535is turbo- 300whp/323 ft-lb @8.5 psi '03 525i Sport '85 635Csi Guest Message Remove Advertisements 09-17-2009, 01:43 PM #2 Alpine4dr Banned Nice work! E30: Turbo4dr, E39 Touring Location: Greater Detroit Area Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,605

Page 6 of 7 Buy my E39 528i Touring! 09-18-2009, 05:56 PM #3 JoeDiese Yer mother! Dope! I wired up the cigarette lighter in the thirtee to open the gate to my old neighbourhood like that...press the lighter bit in and the gate opened, dead stealth, felt like Bond everytime! E30: 1986 325es Location: Naples, Florida Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,546 09-18-2009, 09:52 PM #4 ciz28 Member E30: 1991 318is Location: Redmond, WA Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 77 I did a similar thing, wiring my garage door opener directly to a fog light switch. The only real change required is to pop open the fog light switch and remove the metal catch to make it a momentary switch instead of a two-position switch. I love having a completely factory look instead of having an opener clipped somewhere. «Previous Thread Next Thread» Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) Posting Rules You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts vb code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On HTML code is Off Forum Jump Electronics & Lighting Go All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:24 PM. Contact Us - e30tech.com Forums - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top