DYI Garage Door Opener

ebohon · 11-09-2008, 08:06 PM

I ordered my car with what I thought was the perfect set-up for me. When I looked at the $2,000 cost for the premium package, I didn't think it was worth it for me since the only item that I really wished I had in that package was the garage door opener. So, I figured I could live with the remote in the ash tray or arm rest. But, it doesn't fit in the ashtray and the arm rest is kind of a pain to open and close while pulling up to my garage, etc. In retrospect, I should have ordered the package since I just discovered that the incremental cost was only $500 since I have the fox red and aluminum trim...but oh well...its done. So... I decided to bypass the switch in the remote and place a momentary switch from radio shack.

This set up basically replaces having to fiddle with a garage door opener remote and puts control in a switch. I decided to place the momentary switch on the left of the light control switch. I should give credit to the person that posted pics on how to remove this switch when installing rear fogs and my son who modded his 360 controller in a similar fashion that gave me the idea. So here it goes followed by pictures:

1. Hacked the garage remote to find the soldering posts to find the closed circuit to trigger the switch...easy to do, but you should have a basic understanding of soldering, electronics, etc.
2. Removed light switch.
3. Drill holes. My car is not leased so I don't have to worry about permanent 'mods'.
4. Hard wired everything and tested.
5. I decided to wrap the remote in cloth to avoid any possible vibrations. I also left about an 8 inch long cable to make life easier to replace the battery in the future. In fact, in the future, I'll test the switch cables for constant 12v and may simply hardwire the remote and not bother with the remote battery.
5. Put pieces back together.

Radio Shack was out of smaller momentary switches and all black switches. So, I settled for what they had in stock. It turned out better than I expected. In the pictures below, the switch seems to stick out much more than IRL. In fact, the red button doesn't stand out considering that I have the Fox Red interior. Overall, it looks factory and its funtional. I hope this helps anyone out there.

ebohon · 11-09-2008, 08:11 PM

Oh... one more thing that seemed obvious to me that I did not mention...when you remove the switch, you will see that its sealed from the back. I removed the back of the switch casing by pushing in on the locking tabs. You MUST do this. DO NOT DRILL straight trhough or you will go through the lights circuit board!

TLud · 11-23-2008, 08:31 AM

Wow, very nicely done from inception to execution!

theblacklantern · 12-15-2008, 09:26 PM

i would be too scared to do that

doba_s · 12-16-2008, 12:13 AM

good job, but change that red button to the black one ...

another think you can do is to buy this special module from eas and just flash your lights to open/close your garage ...

ebohon · 12-16-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theblacklantern

i would be too scared to do that

... the biggest concern I had was opening the light module for drilling a whole because I did not know how the board would be inside it. But, it turned out to be very easy because it all sits at the farthest side from the front of the switch. Once the module is opened and the board moved out the way, it basically becomes just a shell.

ebohon · 12-16-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doba_s

good job, but change that red button to the black one ...

The red button actually looks OK IRL since I have the red interior. And, the 09 switches have the aluminum trim... therefore they are not all black. It helps that by chance the switch abs plastic matches the look/texture of the factory dash/switch, etc. It really does look factory.

another think you can do is to buy this special module from eas and just flash your lights to open/close your garage ...

... did not know this existed. Oh well... its done now. Thanks!

Ed.

bigjae1976 · 12-28-2008, 01:39 AM

Looks great! I like the red button.

Just make sure your remote is 12V before you hardwire it to the car. Or use a resistor.

ebohon · 12-29-2008, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Looks great! I like the red button.

Just make sure your remote is 12V before you hardwire it to the car. Or use a resistor.

Thanks for the tip... I will make sure it is 12v.

Oakleyguy · 01-08-2009, 03:15 PM

Like the idea, but I would go with a low-profile button.

ebohon · 01-08-2009, 09:23 PM

Thanks! That was my first choice as well but there were none in stock. The button is actually 'lower' than the light dial so it seems to fit well and does not look 'out of place'. Nonetheless, when the battery runs out and I hard wire it, I will try to replace it with a lower profile button. Ed.

m3psycho · 01-09-2009, 06:51 PM

Very cool... Just go to the dealers and pick up some oem switch to make it more nicer.. Props...

Subw00er · 07-16-2009, 11:31 PM

Just found this thread. Neat install, but if anyone is interested... check out my thread on how to retain the stock look and use the blanks to the right side for switches like this.. Its just a little more work, but worth it! http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=253661&page=4

(see page 3 or 4 for the pics, depending on your forum view settings.)

11-09-2008, 08:06 PM	#1
ebohon Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe, 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Anaheim Hills, CA Posts: 242 iTrader: (1)	DYI Garage Door Opener I ordered my car with what I thought was the perfect set-up for me. When I looked at the $2,000 cost for the premium package, I didn't think it was worth it for me since the only item that I really wished I had in that package was the garage door opener. So, I figured I could live with the remote in the ash tray or arm rest. But, it doesn't fit in the ashtray and the arm rest is kind of a pain to open and close while pulling up to my garage, etc. In retrospect, I should have ordered the package since I just discovered that the incremental cost was only $500 since I have the fox red and aluminum trim...but oh well...its done. So... I decided to bypass the switch in the remote and place a momentary switch from radio shack. This set up basically replaces having to fiddle with a garage door opener remote and puts control in a switch. I decided to place the momentary switch on the left of the light control switch. I should give credit to the person that posted pics on how to remove this switch when installing rear fogs and my son who modded his 360 controller in a similar fashion that gave me the idea. So here it goes followed by pictures: 1. Hacked the garage remote to find the soldering posts to find the closed circuit to trigger the switch...easy to do, but you should have a basic understanding of soldering, electronics, etc. 2. Removed light switch. 3. Drill holes. My car is not leased so I don't have to worry about permanent 'mods'. 4. Hard wired everything and tested. 5. I decided to wrap the remote in cloth to avoid any possible vibrations. I also left about an 8 inch long cable to make life easier to replace the battery in the future. In fact, in the future, I'll test the switch cables for constant 12v and may simply hardwire the remote and not bother with the remote battery. 5. Put pieces back together. Radio Shack was out of smaller momentary switches and all black switches. So, I settled for what they had in stock. It turned out better than I expected. In the pictures below, the switch seems to stick out much more than IRL. In fact, the red button doesn't stand out considering that I have the Fox Red interior. Overall, it looks factory and its funtional. I hope this helps anyone out there. Attached Images __________________ 2009 M3 : 6MT : Carbon : Silverstone : Fox Red Novilo : Aluminum Trim : Tech Package : iPod : 18" MODS: Clear Reflectors : H&Rs : Escort 9500ix hardwired : Tint : Macht Schnell Filter : RPI Scoops : Rogue Pulley : Remus Race : TVinMotion
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11-09-2008, 08:11 PM	#2
ebohon Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe, 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Anaheim Hills, CA Posts: 242 iTrader: (1)	Oh... one more thing that seemed obvious to me that I did not mention...when you remove the switch, you will see that its sealed from the back. I removed the back of the switch casing by pushing in on the locking tabs. You MUST do this. DO NOT DRILL straight trhough or you will go through the lights circuit board! __________________ 2009 M3 : 6MT : Carbon : Silverstone : Fox Red Novilo : Aluminum Trim : Tech Package : iPod : 18" MODS: Clear Reflectors : H&Rs : Escort 9500ix hardwired : Tint : Macht Schnell Filter : RPI Scoops : Rogue Pulley : Remus Race : TVinMotion

11-23-2008, 08:31 AM	#3
TLud Colonel Drives: IB '09 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,294 iTrader: (3)	Wow, very nicely done from inception to execution! __________________ '09 Interlagos Blue E92 M3 (click sig for link to specs)

12-28-2008, 01:39 AM	#8
bigjae1976 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 04 330Ci, 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,934 iTrader: (6)	Looks great! I like the red button. Just make sure your remote is 12V before you hardwire it to the car. Or use a resistor. __________________ 2004 330Ci w/ AA TS2 2011 E90 ///M3 Individual - Monte Carlo Blue

01-08-2009, 09:23 PM	#11
ebohon Second Lieutenant Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe, 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Anaheim Hills, CA Posts: 242 iTrader: (1)	Thanks! That was my first choice as well but there were none in stock. The button is actually 'lower' than the light dial so it seems to fit well and does not look 'out of place'. Nonetheless, when the battery runs out and I hard wire it, I will try to replace it with a lower profile button. Ed. __________________ 2009 M3 : 6MT : Carbon : Silverstone : Fox Red Novilo : Aluminum Trim : Tech Package : iPod : 18" MODS: Clear Reflectors : H&Rs : Escort 9500ix hardwired : Tint : Macht Schnell Filter : RPI Scoops : Rogue Pulley : Remus Race : TVinMotion

12-15-2008, 09:26 PM	#4
theblacklantern New Member Drives: white 2000 m3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SoCAL Posts: 11 iTrader: (0)	i would be too scared to do that

12-16-2008, 12:13 AM	#5
doba_s Major General Drives: M3, 1M Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 6,132 iTrader: (26)	good job, but change that red button to the black one ... another think you can do is to buy this special module from eas and just flash your lights to open/close your garage ...

01-08-2009, 03:15 PM	#10
Oakleyguy SAD PANDA, Moving to field site. Drives: FS: 2008 AW E92 335 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 154 iTrader: (0)	Like the idea, but I would go with a low-profile button.

01-09-2009, 06:51 PM	#12
m3psycho Catch me if you can Drives: 08 e90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 254 iTrader: (0)	Very cool... Just go to the dealers and pick up some oem switch to make it more nicer.. Props...

07-16-2009, 11:31 PM	#13
Subw00er Bates '08 Interlagos Launch Drives: 08e92M, 03e46M Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NY Posts: 1,188 iTrader: (2)	Just found this thread. Neat install, but if anyone is interested... check out my thread on how to retain the stock look and use the blanks to the right side for switches like this.. Its just a little more work, but worth it! http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=253661&page=4 (see page 3 or 4 for the pics, depending on your forum view settings.) __________________ Custom Exhaust Project: Bates Valvetronic exhaust: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253661 -- Exhaust Mod pics in here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40236795@N03/ DON'T BUY Race Ready Performance electronic cutout valves. Here's why: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...40#post9589740