Homelink Install

[DaleWA]

Here is my variation of the really cool idea posted by DaveZ on bimmerfest - http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=226233

I mounted the ebay-sourced Homelink parallel to the front edge of the panel. If you snip off some of the Homelink extra tabs, there is enough clearance between the panel mounting tabs.


I drilled holes for the three buttons, the 2 mounting posts and the indicator light. Then, I used the Dremmel to grind down the panel surface so the Homelink frontplate swould snap back on to the body. I used 3M mounting tape to secure the rear of the Homelink to the panel, and to lift it slightly for clearance with the thickness of the panel opening.

I ran the wiring over the to the fuse panel since I did not want to tap any wires for power. This involved removing the glovebox and the knee airbag assembly. The airbag is a beast to get out. There are three press-fit clips along the top edge that do not let go easily. There are also four bolts holding the airbag to the dash structure. If you remove the airbag, be sure to disconnect the battery and the airbag connector. I didn't and when I popped the last snap-in clip, the entire assembly fell out and yanked the connector off the airbag. (I recommend popping the clips with a rigid plastic trim tool first, then the bolts.) I had to take the car in and have the airbag warning light reset, fortunately the local independent service shop I use did this for free.

I ran a brown ground wire and a striped power wire through a flexible sleeve material I found at Fry's. I used a screw just below the fuse box for the ground. I used an Access-a-Fuse plugged into the fuseblock's empty position one for switched power.

Here is the cable with the Homelink plug connector routed and ready; and the finished product.

[Reach]

Very well done and a fantastic idea. That panel is so strange that its there and empty, and so much accessible room behind it, its just dying for projects like this to add to it!

[jarrow]

Is it just me or are the pictures not displaying?

[Dammmittt]

Links are broken.

[DaleWA]

Sorry about the photo links, I tested them repeatedly before posting and they were working this morning. When I logged on this afternoon, the pictures did not show up, but did when I refreshed the page...

Maybe I'll move the pictures to some other source.

...Photos should be working now, moved them off Comcast...

[BlackSapphireZ]

nice... too bad i don't have garage door opener

if we get one def gonna do this

[BMW^Z4]

in that placw I installed my laser jammer buttons ...

[inTgr8r]

With thanks to DaveZ & dwabmw for the idea;
I finally got around to doing this one as well.

I didn't use the original trim piecethough, just cut the panel for the buttons & led.
On the back, I used a couple of layers of the 3M double sided trim tape to get the spacing right.

[DaleWA]

Nice and clean install!

[GLF]

Location for standard garage door opener. Wire a moment switch to standard door opener, install button as shown and place the opener in the space behind the lights. done

[BimmerZealot]

Thats a good idea also, I have mine under my ash tray, I think the light area would be better for signal strength but I dont want to drill the dome fixture

[GLF]

Signal strength is the reason I used the light location. I did think about the ash tray but I didn't want to open a door to push a button.

[BimmerZealot]

Just did mine with an eBay homelink unit as well. I wasn't able to get the faceplate to fit on with just holes for buttons,light,latches no matter how much I tried. I even sanded down the side of the panel that meets the homelink. Ended up just opening up the holes i made and made one big hole big enough to fit the whole faceplate through. Its not perfect but impossible to see unless upside down and works the same. Thanks to OP and DaveZ

[eHelmholtz]

Thanks to this thread, I installed a homelink module recently.

[bucko521]

Originally Posted by GLF

Location for standard garage door opener. Wire a moment switch to standard door opener, install button as shown and place the opener in the space behind the lights. done

Considering doing this to my roadster...can you provide more pictures of switch and placement of the remote. I'd appreciate that....thanks.

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by bucko521

Considering doing this to my roadster...can you provide more pictures of switch and placement of the remote. I'd appreciate that....thanks.

I did this but installed the momentary switch and the remote on the accessory panel below the radio. Go here http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71100

[bucko521]

Originally Posted by bucko521
Considering doing this to my roadster...can you provide more pictures of switch and placement of the remote. I'd appreciate that....thanks.

Originally Posted by elerner61

I did this but installed the momentary switch and the remote on the accessory panel below the radio. Go here http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71100

Well I did this today....what an awesome little trick...works like a charm.

Well, I did this little DIY today...

No more garage opener hanging on the sunvisor

I bought the momentary push-button switch (SPST contact * rated 3A * normally open)

Here are a few pics of the final result.

Single push, garage door opens, another push and garage door closes. Since the actual remote is located behind the light bezel itself I see not loss in overall performance or distance.

The switch from The Source (Radio Shack in Canada) was $5.99, other than a bit of time and soldering...this was a very easy DIY and easily hides the remote .

[BIMMERGUY91]

heres my homelink install. slide garage remote onto visor. done. lol :P

[KevsZ4]

Just did my super stealth garage door opener install. Took about 20 minutes total. 2 dollars for the momentary switch from amazon, and 3 bucks for the velcro holding the remote in place behind the panel. Other than that, it was just two thin wires that I tapped, and soldered onto the remote board. Best, easiest mod to do. If anyone is curious, I'll post pics.

[Yapakanichi]

I double sided taped mine to under the radio console/above ash tray. No one notices it and it's out of the way completely

[Hedward]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

With thanks to DaveZ & dwabmw for the idea;
I finally got around to doing this one as well.

I didn't use the original trim piecethough, just cut the panel for the buttons & led.
On the back, I used a couple of layers of the 3M double sided trim tape to get the spacing right.

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

With thanks to DaveZ & dwabmw for the idea;
I finally got around to doing this one as well.

I didn't use the original trim piecethough, just cut the panel for the buttons & led.
On the back, I used a couple of layers of the 3M double sided trim tape to get the spacing right.
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...s/e2dcea24.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k7...s/2f1076c5.jpg[/IMG]

inTgr8r
what did you use to cut the oblong holes so perfectly?
Also, what circuit did you tap into?
Thanks a lot,
ed

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by Hedward

inTgr8r
what did you use to cut the oblong holes so perfectly?
Also, what circuit did you tap into?
Thanks a lot,
ed

I used the original cover plate as a template to mark them out.
Then I drilled an undersized hole as a starter, then used a file to shape them.

I tapped into the cigarette lighter cct.