HomeLink Install

[DarkStar]

Well removing the Dash to repair the melted wire I decided to take advantage and dye everything. It made me think.. I saw someone make their own using a factory button, but haven't seen anyone use an original HomeLink Garage Door Opener. If you don't know what it is, HomeLink is still being installed in cars today as universal garage door openers. Since around 00 i believe. My old DSMs had them, well the high end ones had them and all I had were built motor AWD massive turbo toys, I never used that stuff. And sometimes I removed them from the cars just because a sun visor isn't needed in a legit race car. Well what do you know, I still had one laying around.

This is the HomeLink unit extracted from the visor.
It only requires 12v constant or switched if you don't want the opener to work without a key. I'm not sure if it has memory to handle a switched source, but I can find out soon with my new house.

The cover comes off, and I'm sure you can get creative on where to install one. The button panel inside the black box is on a ribbon cable so modifying the box to fit this sucker somewhere nice Like the batwing should be easy.

I am unsure where I'm going to put mine but it will look as OEM as I can get it. I will update this post when I move along with it.

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[JayG]

There are a few DIY threads on this..
You can connect the wires to a switch on the horseshoe easily

[KevinH1990]

Here''s a write up on Renntech:
http://www.renntech.org/forums/tutorials/article/153-yet-another-way-to-add-a-homelink-device/

You need to be a contributing member to access it. This method use a Targa Shade switch from a 996 to activate the Homelink. The icon on the switch looks similar to a garage door. The instructions show how to tie it into the regular dash illumination so that it illuminates and dims along with the rest of the controls. I think it has the best "OEM" look of any of the methods. (I suppose OEM is a misnomer since the 986 did not have a Homelink option.) The downside is that you can only use activate 2 devices instead of the three supported by Homelink.

[BruceH]

This DIY is on my list of things to do. I have the parts, I just have not made the time! Here are a few threads that I have bookmarked for the future.

Homelink Mod DIY - Long, but with Pics - Rennlist Discussion Forums

http://986forum.com/forums/diy-project-guides/45508-yet-another-garage-door-opener-install.html#post341122

Rennlist Member Gallery :: Garage Door Switch Install

[DarkStar]

Originally Posted by JayG

There are a few DIY threads on this..
You can connect the wires to a switch on the horseshoe easily

Using HomeLink... I've seen diy threads showing how to mod the actual garage door to be functioned by a oem switch. But not the HomeLink units.

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[JayG]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

Using HomeLink... I've seen diy threads showing how to mod the actual garage door to be functioned by a oem switch. But not the HomeLink units.

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The process is the same

Connect a dash switch to the unit

[DarkStar]

Originally Posted by JayG

The process is the same

Connect a dash switch to the unit

Oh I wouldn't want that. I'd rather use the HomeLink buttons. Plus I have no extra spots for those huge buttons. Would onlu need to cut a small square in the plastic where it's going and install. The button cover will snap it together and look much better since that's what it was designed for.

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[BruceH]

I found a used one in eBay, I think I paid around $5 for it.

Suncoast Porsche Parts & Accessories Dash Switch - Garage Door Icon

[Burg Boxster]

Been a loooong loooong time since I did (Boxster has been gone ~ 7 years or so...) but I used an OE homelink box for a custom install in batwing (unit was from a mirror set-up in a Cadillac - so buttons on short side of box):





Congrats on your DIY

[JayG]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

Oh I wouldn't want that. I'd rather use the HomeLink buttons. Plus I have no extra spots for those huge buttons. Would onlu need to cut a small square in the plastic where it's going and install. The button cover will snap it together and look much better since that's what it was designed for.

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you have no empty switch positions on the horseshoe?

[DarkStar]

I have 0 switches on the Horseshoe. They were all removed for the Tablet. Glassed and molded and waiting for carbon fiber. The lock and defrost switch is in the batwing and soon a turbo timer is going in the middle of that.

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[DarkStar]

Originally Posted by Burg Boxster

Been a loooong loooong time since I did (Boxster has been gone ~ 7 years or so...) but I used an OE homelink box for a custom install in batwing (unit was from a mirror set-up in a Cadillac - so buttons on short side of box):





Congrats on your DIY

That is what's up. Did your HomeLink cone with an antenna or did you add that? Mine is made for the visor so I expect that it has an internal wire on the board. I've already pulled it apart to look, was thinking about the batwing just like that but not sure of how much range there would be.

I might just do that if I can cut the batwing well enough. I'm afraid to cut and screw up.

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[DarkStar]

Here's the one from the Eclipse

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[JayG]

I put the homelink I am using behind the batwing and it works fine

[Burg Boxster]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

That is what's up. Did your HomeLink cone with an antenna or did you add that? Mine is made for the visor so I expect that it has an internal wire on the board. I've already pulled it apart to look, was thinking about the batwing just like that but not sure of how much range there would be.

I might just do that if I can cut the batwing well enough. I'm afraid to cut and screw up.

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Antenna was attached to board... most likely yours is too. Range was fine... a bit better if antenna is facing up but not a big worry. If range is not adaquate enough there is an easy hack using aluminum foil if you need or run antenna wire to a-pillar (in phase of course).

Beige(ish) cover you have is an excellent template to cut batwing... grind/cut out a few fins from backside first then use a dremel and make each oval button hole and indicator light. The first one is the toughest but replacement batwings (back then as I too was worried) were ~ $7-8. Wire unit off of phone module taped to floor.

Good luck

[DarkStar]

Have you tried a switched power? As I mentioned I wasn't sure if it would retain the memory after power is cut? In the Eclipse it's powered constant. But might be safe to have it switched so when the car isn't on the HomeLink can't be accessed. I sometimes leave car unlocked In the driveway

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[Chuck W.]

I searched the web and found a lot of posting on this. One of the best was on the Rennlist 996 forum. The switch used is a 996 Targa Shade Switch, Part No. 996 613 119 10 A05.

On 986 Boxsters these switches will only fit in the bat wing with cut outs (Part No. 996 552 335 02 01C), or the console if you don't have heated seats. I had two blanks on the left side of the radio but unlike the 996 switches, the 986 are slanted and side specific.

I had to flip the one on the right so it would fit properly. It appears the bump on the switch has to be on the outside for them to seat properly. This makes sense as all of the other switches are set up this way.

I lost the "Boxster S" script that was on the OEM bat wing and will work on a suitable substitute.

Here is a link to the Rennlist posting I used. Skip some of the posting as there are some typical internet bantering.

Garage Door Opener Hack/Mod - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[JayG]

My homelink is on switched power and does not lose it's programming

[DarkStar]

My batwing holds my door lock and rear defroster buttons.

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[DarkStar]

Think I'm good to go... Holes aren't perfect.

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