ndabunka

Anyone else having problems with the Homelink gear on these cars? I've heard a few discussing range issues but none apparently as sever as I'm expirencing. The Homelink system works just fine when my car is parked in the garage directly under the GDO (about 2.8 feet away from the roof of the car). But will not work from any greater distance. Seems to me like the transmitter on the car is defective and/or the antenna was not connected properly in the factory. I KNOW it is in this car because my other cars homelink systems work flawlessly from around the corner (about 1200 feet away)

DarrenC

I actually saw an increase in range with my Homelink system over the other opener.

How old is your GDO? If it's newer I'd have it investigated by the dealer. You could also get a buddy to let you try to program his GDO and see if it has better range on his. Just an idea.

spc

Please make sure your GDO antenna is straight down. No matter what, just give it a try even it looks straight.

ndabunka

Here is some more detail. New GDO (1.5 years old) made by Wayne Dalton. My prior Merc CLK55 with Homelink worked just fine from 2000 feet away. My Lexus Homelink works fine from 1500 feet away. The hand held transmitter worked fine from 500 feet. My new TL only works from 2.475 feet...

scfz1

did you try to reprogram your homelink? I noticed that when i changed the codes on my garage door opener and i had to reprogram the homelink, it didn't work as well..in terms of distance.....i had to do it a second time before it worked correctly...

DarrenC

Sounds like you know what you're doing, so I'd assume it's the Homelink system in your car. I doubt the dealer has any diagnostic tools to troubleshoot for you. They'd probably just order you a new board.

spc

Hmm... with all this detail information, bring it in to your dealer and request a fix. Good lucks!

2k4tl

I've had very unreliable performance at close range (<10 feet). It sometimes works, mostly doesn't, so I use the handheld zapper.

I can't speak for longer range, as my door opener requires a vehicle be present on the sensor coils embedded 2 to 10 feet away from the garage door.

Anyone know if Sunnyvale Acura give loaners to non-customers? I've had enough of the jokers at the service dept at Steven's Creek (San Jose).

-ferg

ben1233

Ditto with our 04 TL. I can actually press the button when making the bend to my house and the door is all of the way up before I get there, awesome!

tsxer.ca

where is GDO antenna located at?

jlukja

It probably depends on your GDO. My Genie has a foot-long wire, coiled like a spring, hanging from the top of the back side (away from the GD). BTW I also had trouble programming mine. I finally got it to work by erasing all the codes and then programming the center button (I initially tried the left button). I had to use the "learn" button on the GDO because my Genie rolls the code every time it operates. I just followed the manual. It works from about 25 feet away. I haven't tried it from further away because i just programmed it this past weekend. Good Luck.

spc

You have to look at your GDO manual. Normally, as jlukja said, it is a foot long black wire. It maybe coiled like a spring and hidden, make sure it is hang straight down to maximize the reception distance.

ndabunka

UPDATE - My dealer was also not able to make the Homelink system work in my car with THEIR equipment. Problem is DEFINITELY in the homelink system in the car. They have ordered a replacement unit and will be extracting the faulty unit and replacing it with a new one. Will update once they have replaced it. I've seen others on these sites getting frustrated with the programming and giving up and just going back to the old handheld unit. This may be a fix for those guys as well.

spc

Very good! Please keep us update and those with the same issue should go to their dealer and request a fix. Good lucks!

ndabunka

SPC - Thanks for the reply. Take Lucks? Is that more than one "Luck"? Reading your post made me think of the comedian Brian Reinhardt's stint on XM150 regarding funny comments we all say without realizing...Take luck! (Take care and Good Luck combined into an odd cross-up salutation). They've replaced the unit but I have not yet had time to re-program it for my GDO yet.

spc

It is cold for most of the country. Maybe it is perfect time to train your GDO without worring about overheat the motor!

ndabunka

Broken arm (I am typing this with one hand) from snowboarding 2 weeks ago. Mother-in-law just had kidney transplant and is living with us for a few weeks. Might be a while before I get the GDO done but I will post here once I am able

spc

ndabunka, sorry to hear that. Hope you and your family recover soon! Take it easy.

ndabunka

FINAL FOLLOW UP - The replacement of the Homelink transmitter in the car was successfull, YEA! After having it replaced I was able to reprogram my Garage Door opener (Wayne Dalton) successfully. So, if any of you are having issues with the Homelink not working well from a distance...It could well be the Homelink transmitter in the car itself. The dealership did a good job but I did notice my headliner coming down afterwards (looked like only 3 small peices of doublesided tape holding it up there?). It's back in for that fix and I have a new TL loaner with 268 miles on it to drive. With the Turanza's on it, it's a completely different car (Handles like a four-door sedan whereas my HPT's make mine handle more like a 2-door coupe. BIG difference).

spc

Great! Good for you to find the root cause and solve the issue.