DIY - Hidden NonOEM Garage Door Opener Install - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

DIY - Hidden NonOEM Garage Door Opener Install

Published by robray
03-01-2007

DIY - Hidden NonOEM Garage Door Opener Install

I couldn't justify the price of the rearview mirror with UGDO, so I hardwired a universal door opener I got for $30.

I installed the push button switch in the ashtray, in case I ever want to put it back to stock, the ashtray is a cheap item to replace. It got kind of late so, I forgot to take pictures. Here is the basic idea of what I did and the pictures that I did take.

1. Solder wires to the garage door opener switch and power terminals. I used terminal block connectors, so I can easily disconnect everything. This part will vary depending on your garage door opener. You could leave the battery in the door opener and not hardwire the power.

2. Remove the centre console. Instructions can be found here. http://e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7049

3. Remove the panel under the glove box by taking out the two torx screws.

4. Run the wires for the power/ground and the switch from the centre console to the passenger side foot well. Connect the wire block connectors to the wires.

5. Splice the power and ground wire to the ashtray power plug. The connector has three wires and can be disconnected so the centre console trim and ashtray can be removed. I spliced it to the connector side that is left behind. Use a DVM to determine power and ground. Sorry, I forgot to take pics.

6. Stash the garage door opener on the passenger side of the car behind the panel under the glove box. I didn't need anything to hold it on place. It slid in tightly and will not move. (Note. You will obviously not get the same range with the door opener placed under the dash. I did notice reduced range, but I still have sufficient range to open the door before I drive up to the garage. You should test placement of you door opener before picking a permanent spot.)

7. Remove the ashray and drill a hole for the switch. I needed to drill a 9/16" hole. Using a glue gun, glue the switch in to place.

8. Connect the power and switch wiring to the garage door opener. Connect the wiring to the ashtray switch. Turn on the car and test the opener.

9. Tie up the wires with some tie straps. Re-install the panel and console and you are done!

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By 3thirty5 on 03-01-2007, 02:56 PM

thanks for the nice write up, and a very good idea!

think i'm gonna attempt that!

By canucklion on 03-01-2007, 03:11 PM

this should be sticky'd!

thanks for sharing

By ages944 on 03-01-2007, 11:24 PM

damn good mod! I think I just found my next project.

By GregL on 03-02-2007, 04:57 PM

Thats pretty sneaky, very good write-up! I remember reading that thieves now might break into a car to take the door opener (which is commonly clipped to the visor), along with insurance/registration papers commonly found in the glovebox, then go to the person's home and see if there is a door leading into the house from the garage.

By 200Duece on 03-02-2007, 10:04 PM

Could this work with for the Procede remote that is coming?

By jack1526 on 03-02-2007, 11:26 PM

cool, that's pretty nice....i miss the universal garage door opener that i had in my 325i

By robray on 03-03-2007, 04:06 AM

Thanks for the compliments. I use it everyday and it works great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KT9

Do you have instructions for a 3 button transmitter?

My three button remote was stolen before I could figure out what the other two buttons were for. I am sure you could fit three switches in the ashtray.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregL

I don't ever keep the remote in my car anymore and I keep a copy of my papers in my trunk. I am a little paranoid, but my original 3 button remote was stolen along with my insurance papers and my manuals from my old 330ci. Luckily they didn't get in the garage. Vancouver is really bad for auto theft.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 200Duece

Could this work with for the Procede remote that is coming?

This mod should work for any remote that has a button you can press. You just need to open it up and solder some wires to the button. What is a Procede remote?

By cm3rc on 03-03-2007, 04:16 AM

haha nice write up

By HyperM3 on 03-06-2007, 02:23 PM

I did something like that on my M3.

http://hometown.aol.com/hyperm3/Dooropener.html

If anyone wants another way of doing it.

#10

By mmm def on 03-06-2007, 08:36 PM

Wow i was thinking who cares until I saw your work, real nice job, thanks!

#11

By xdrive on 03-07-2007, 01:44 AM

Instead of making your own button, can't you wire it to one of these empty buttons? I'm thinking of doing this. Do-able?

Attached Images

#12

By ages944 on 03-07-2007, 01:55 AM

I don't have the sunshade, only the heated seats. Hence, no row of buttons. But yeah, if you've got the buttons, that would likely work very well if you can tap into them easily.

#13

By robray on 03-07-2007, 02:13 AM

I like the idea of wiring the door opener to an unused button. I was looking for a button, but couldn't find one. Anyone know the part number for the button set in Xdrive's post? Been searching realoem, but no luck.

#14

By Paul330d on 03-07-2007, 06:31 AM

Hard wiring the remote behind one of those blank buttons (next to the rear blind button) is very appealing. I wonder if you can order a push-button version to slip in there somehow? One with a little garage door logo on it would be the dog's b*llocks

Last edited by Paul330d; 03-07-2007 at 06:54 AM.

#15

By ages944 on 03-13-2007, 02:08 AM

Modified Installation

Was so inspired by the OP's work that I decided to do this myself!

- For my version, I made a couple of changes (pics included)
1. I used snap connectors between the run wire/ashtray, and b/w the run wire/garage door opener, so both the ashtray and garage door opener are completely removable.

2. I located the garage door opener in the center console, under the rubber tray in the armrest storage compartment. This gives me easy access to the battery on the opener, so I did not need to hardwire into the car's power supply. Secondly, I can also still activate the opener if the switch in the ashtray were ever to fail.

3. I also very much like knowing that I can return the car completely stock for the price of the ashtray insert.

The Pics: (sorry, didn't take any during construction)

1. The completed ashtray
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2. View of the Run Wire on the Ashtray End with ashtray disconnected.
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3. View of ashtray wiring
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4. Remote is under the tray
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5. Rubber Tray and Garage Door Opener Battery Cover removed, showing battery
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#16

By Paul330d on 03-15-2007, 12:50 PM

Good job! Has the range been affected by your 'hiding' the remote away in the centre console?

#17

By ages944 on 03-15-2007, 10:16 PM

If anything, it's been improved, as there's less metal directly in the way of the transmitter. I can actually open the door from the street now, whereas before I had to be in the driveway and wait for the door to open.

#18

By acizek on 03-17-2007, 10:48 AM

great mod, really tempted to do this

#19

By bavarian19 on 03-17-2007, 10:51 AM

If you have the premium package, there is no need for this mod... just train your UGDO in your mirror... It works like a charm...

#20

By khoda355 on 03-17-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

If you have the premium package, there is no need for this mod... just train your UGDO in your mirror... It works like a charm...

yah i have that but its soo had to train it to work.. still have not done it yet.. any help on how to??

#21

By ages944 on 03-17-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

If you have the premium package, there is no need for this mod... just train your UGDO in your mirror... It works like a charm...

Lol, of course he's right.

... however, I spent about about $50 on this mod ($40 of which was buying a new garage door opener). How much did you spend on the Premium Pkg? (tongue firmly in cheek)