[bike99]

I purchased with my car an option 319 (Homelink buttons in the mirror). After spending a few hours trying to program the buttons I called serviceman, and he did that in 10 mins. .
Now here is the problem. The range for this is so poor, that I have to be VERY close to the gate and try several times before it opens. With any of my other remote control units (different types) I can open it being up to 50 meters away. Does anybody else have the same experience?
I'm very unhappy, as that was the first thing I chose when picking up the option list.

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by bike99

Now here is the problem. The range for this is so poor, that I have to be VERY close to the gate and try several times before it opens.

My Homelink works fine, I can open the garage from 50-60m away.
Here are some tips:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...30&postcount=1

My biggest pet peeves is that it does not work with ignition off.
I don't like the idea of starting the engine before opening the garage door; that would just be mishap waiting to happen. Otherwise, I would have to press on with foot off brake to start the electronics, press the homelink, and then start the engine. My other car's homelink works all the time.

[bike99]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

My Homelink works fine, I can open the garage from 50-60m away.

Does that mean that you have the same range as with regular units?

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by bike99

Does that mean that you have the same range as with regular units?

Most likely, as this is the distance I usually press the button. I have not tried further distance comparing regular remote vs homelink.

The link I gave above had some tips as to what to do if you got poor range. You can give it a try.

[rogerdodger]

My biggest pet peeves is that it does not work with ignition off.
I don't like the idea of starting the engine before opening the garage door; that would just be mishap waiting to happen. Otherwise, I would have to press on with foot off brake to start the electronics, press the homelink, and then start the engine. My other car's homelink works all the time.[/QUOTE]


I prefer it to only work with the ignition on.

If you leave your car outside the house and someone breaks into your car, bingo, they are then in your house!

Roger

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by rogerdodger

I prefer it to only work with the ignition on.
If you leave your car outside the house and someone breaks into your car, bingo, they are then in your house!

That should not be a concern. They can easily program it so that the buttons are only operable when it senses the key is inside the car - the same condition as it would allow you to start the engine.

[savela]

Originally Posted by rogerdodger

My biggest pet peeves is that it does not work with ignition off.
I don't like the idea of starting the engine before opening the garage door; that would just be mishap waiting to happen. Otherwise, I would have to press on with foot off brake to start the electronics, press the homelink, and then start the engine. My other car's homelink works all the time.

I prefer it to only work with the ignition on.

If you leave your car outside the house and someone breaks into your car, bingo, they are then in your house!

Roger[/QUOTE]

Really no different than a standard remote. I agree, turning on when sensing the remote would be the way for them to go.

[AWF10]

I've tried several times to program the home link to my garage door but still no luck. Read the directions and used the learn button on the garage motor since rolling codes. Only thing it did was prevent my other garage remotes from working. Any tips on programming to get this to work?

[1HOT BMR]

Originally Posted by AWF10

I've tried several times to program the home link to my garage door but still no luck. Read the directions and used the learn button on the garage motor since rolling codes. Only thing it did was prevent my other garage remotes from working. Any tips on programming to get this to work?

I had a little problem with my gate opener (Door King) and I realized that the button needs to send a signal to the gate opener for it to register the code. The buttons on my 550i did not send any codes when new so I had to enter the code from another remote (any code from any remote will do) and then my gate received the code and programed the rolling code correctly. I hope this helps.

[bike99]

Originally Posted by AWF10

I've tried several times to program the home link to my garage door but still no luck. Read the directions and used the learn button on the garage motor since rolling codes. Only thing it did was prevent my other garage remotes from working. Any tips on programming to get this to work?

I did try several times. Finally a serviceman reset all the remote controls, and programmed them again. It works now.

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

My Homelink works fine, I can open the garage from 50-60m away.
Here are some tips:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...30&postcount=1

My biggest pet peeves is that it does not work with ignition off.
I don't like the idea of starting the engine before opening the garage door; that would just be mishap waiting to happen. Otherwise, I would have to press on with foot off brake to start the electronics, press the homelink, and then start the engine. My other car's homelink works all the time.

Ever park your car on the driveway overnight? How about during the evening after dark? If Homelink can open the garage without the ignition, then thieves have access to your garage through a broken car window and then into your house. I say, well done BMW. That is the correct way to program the system. I don't have a problem with waking up the car's electronics before Homelink will work.

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by Grover432

Ever park your car on the driveway overnight? How about during the evening after dark? If Homelink can open the garage without the ignition, then thieves have access to your garage through a broken car window and then into your house. I say, well done BMW. That is the correct way to program the system. I don't have a problem with waking up the car's electronics before Homelink will work.

[sigh] You obviously did not read my reply.
Can the thief start your car through a broken window?
No. Why? Because the car cannot sense your key in the car!
So all they need to do is to program the garage door opener to be active ONLY when you have your key, just like the start button. Effective and fool proof.

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

[sigh] You obviously did not read my reply.
Can the thief start your car through a broken window?
No. Why? Because the car cannot sense your key in the car!
So all they need to do is to program the garage door opener to be active ONLY when you have your key, just like the start button. Effective and fool proof.

I read your post. Most cars out there have a Homelink system that operates whether there is a key in the ignition or not, whether the car is turned on or not. Maybe the system can be improved, but it is a bit of a nit pick in my opinion. I think it is smart of BMW to realize that allowing Homelink to operate without the car's electrical system turned on (via key) is an invitation to home invasion/theft.

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by Grover432

I think it is smart of BMW to realize that allowing Homelink to operate without the car's electrical system turned on (via key) is an invitation to home invasion/theft.

I don't think it is smart at all. More like laziness. As it is very easy for them to program it to have Homelink operational only when key is present.

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by savela

I prefer it to only work with the ignition on.

If you leave your car outside the house and someone breaks into your car, bingo, they are then in your house!

Roger

Really no different than a standard remote. I agree, turning on when sensing the remote would be the way for them to go.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, but you can remove the standard remote. the Homelink stays in your car, even if you choose to park it on your driveway overnight. Not good. BMW did the right thing.

[AWF10]

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

I had a little problem with my gate opener (Door King) and I realized that the button needs to send a signal to the gate opener for it to register the code. The buttons on my 550i did not send any codes when new so I had to enter the code from another remote (any code from any remote will do) and then my gate received the code and programed the rolling code correctly. I hope this helps.

hrrm...i tried to program using one of my garage door opener remote that came with my Overhead garage door system but still that didnt work. Held 2 outside buttons until rapid flash then let go. Pushed and held #1 on mirror simultaneously holding button down on original remote until flash rapidly then let both buttons go. Tested the homelink on mirror and still doesnt work. So fustrating.

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

I don't think it is smart at all. More like laziness. As it is very easy for them to program it to have Homelink operational only when key is present.

Yeah, they are dumb. Maybe they could hire you, then we'd have perfection.

[1HOT BMR]

Originally Posted by AWF10

hrrm...i tried to program using one of my garage door opener remote that came with my Overhead garage door system but still that didnt work. Held 2 outside buttons until rapid flash then let go. Pushed and held #1 on mirror simultaneously holding button down on original remote until flash rapidly then let both buttons go. Tested the homelink on mirror and still doesnt work. So fustrating.

Is it possible you have a rolling code garage opener? If so, what you describe doing will not work because the Homelink in your car will not take the signal from the remote you are now using to open that door. You need to push the button at the overhead unit inside the garage and then (within 30 seconds or so) get in the car and press the Homelink button you want programmed to open it. I hope this helps.

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by Grover432

Yeah, they are dumb. Maybe they could hire you, then we'd have perfection.

Why would they bother?

They chose the easy but inferior way (when all it takes for them to implement a better way is a few lines of codes), and guess what? Some people are happy about this "lack of feature" and defend them....

[nosnoop]

Originally Posted by Grover432

Yeah, but you can remove the standard remote. the Homelink stays in your car, even if you choose to park it on your driveway overnight.

All garage door opener can be manually disabled or turned off, so that the remote won't work.
If you park your car in the driveway, the opener should be turned off!

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by nosnoop

Why would they bother?

They chose the easy but inferior way (when all it takes for them to implement a better way is a few lines of codes), and guess what? Some people are happy about this "lack of feature" and defend them....

No, I just think you are missing a feature.

[AWF10]

Originally Posted by 1HOT BMR

Is it possible you have a rolling code garage opener? If so, what you describe doing will not work because the Homelink in your car will not take the signal from the remote you are now using to open that door. You need to push the button at the overhead unit inside the garage and then (within 30 seconds or so) get in the car and press the Homelink button you want programmed to open it. I hope this helps.

I tried to push the button on the overhead unit inside the garage and then press the Homelink button in car but that did not work.