HomeLink garage door openers sync with your remote to allow you to control gates and doors from inside your vehicle. Learn about the pros and cons, technical details, and how to program the buttons.
Here are the advantages of having HomeLink
- Programming is quick and easy
- Compatible with most doors and opening systems.
- We are going to share remote controls
- Allows you to control lights and home security features.
- It is electric, so it does not require batteries.
Here are the downsides of having HomeLink
- Programming troubleshooting is NOT quick NOR easy
- Need to buy universal repeater and / or receiver kits for incompatible remotes
- It won’t work if you don’t have a handheld remote
- Electrical problems can be difficult to isolate
Technical details
Some HomeLink systems are controlled by a button that came with the vehicle or possibly a key fob. The remote control is a wireless device that transmits signals to the air engine (which has a receiver). Once the transmitter sends a code, the receiver will do one of two things: generate a new one, or accept the code.
The electric garage door opener has counterweight springs attached to the door that raise and lower the door. These springs are under pressure to lift the door through the counterweight cables. The opener controls how far the gate will go and also the force exerted by the gate. To keep the door closed at all times, a lock is installed.
Sometimes a HomeLink garage door opener control malfunction occurs and can be dangerous. Then the owner’s initial action is to consult the manual or download the manufacturer’s manual. But the most common thing they do is activate the quick release system to maneuver the door by hand. Unfortunately this is the biggest mistake because once the door is unlatched; it will eventually move down and can hit and kill the person below it.
As previously stated, the HomeLink garage door opener can be a switch or a remote control. A remote control is programmed with codes to connect to the door. The other is the electric roof opener or the opener that is controlled by a switch on the wall or located at the end of the garage.
Instructions for Training Your HomeLink Buttons
To train your buttons, first look for HomeLink on your vehicle. You can easily identify the system by searching for the house icon.
Step 1: If this is your first time, press and hold the 2 outer buttons, releasing them when the indicator lights start to flash. It should give you about 20 seconds to recognize your command. Do not repeat this step while you are training the other buttons.
Step 2: Press and hold your garage remote (this is the transmitter) and the button you would like to train. The indicator light should begin to flash slowly and then more rapidly when the workout is complete. then release both buttons.
Step 3: Press the button you just trained to make sure it works. A properly trained button should cause the indicator light to blink continuously. If the light is blinking, you will need to continue with the next steps.
Step 4: Get a ladder and find the learning or smart button on the motor. You will also want to hire a partner to help you; that way, one person can be in the car while the other stays in the garage.
Step 5: From inside the vehicle, press the button you want to train for at least 2 seconds. You may need to repeat the process up to three times before the door opens.
Bottom Line: If you’re evaluating this product based on safety concerns, any HomeLink-compatible garage door opener will do. It’s just a matter of how accurately the owner trains their particular buttons. A poorly configured garage door can generate deadly forces that can lead to an emergency.