How To Program the GMC Acadia Garage Door Opener

The GMC Acadia's HomeLink wireless control system can connect your Acadia with up to three home controls. You can open and close garage doors, a home security system, lighting, or an automatic gate. If you are wondering how to set yours up, we have done the research to get you the detailed steps!

The HomeLink wireless control system can replace the clutter of garage door openers in your Acadia's cabin. Keep reading for the steps for how to program the GMC Acadia HomeLink garage door opener:

  1. Park your GMC Acadia close to your open garage door with the garage door opener in your hand.
  2. Start the engine and keep the gear shift in Park.
  3. Find the three HomeLink buttons on the center controls above the rearview mirror. 
  4. Press the outer two HomeLink buttons and hold to delete previous garage door links. Hold until the small light below the buttons either blinks rapidly or is a solid red. Release the buttons. 
  5. Choose which button you want to program for which garage door [or gate, lighting, security system].
  6. Press the garage door opener remote button, 1-6 inches away from the chosen button, at the same time you press that button. Hold until the red light flashes slowly before flashing rapidly. Release both buttons.
  7. Press and hold the chosen button. The grade door should be linked and functional if the light is solid. If the light blinks twice and is solid, you need to use rolling codes. Door closes.
  8. Rolling codes - Garage door openers that use rolling codes require that you or a second person use a ladder to press the "learn" or "smart" button on the receiver [motor opener] on the ceiling of your garage.
  9. Rolling codes - Once the Learn or Smart button is pushed, push the Acadia's HomeLink button for 2-seconds. Release. 
  10. Push the vehicle's HomeLink button to verify that the garage door will open and close.

The HomeLink wireless control system should work smoothly with your GMC Acadia. Keep reading for more details on how to operate your garage door from within your GMC Acadia.

Motor car GMC Acadia in the city street - How To Program the GMC Acadia Garage Door Opener

How to Program your GMC Acadia HomeLink

GMC Acadia Denali

Step 1

Park your GMC Acadia close to your open garage door with the garage door opener in your hand. For safety, make sure no one or any pet is moving under the garage door as it will be opening and closing during the pairing process.

Fresh Battery

If you have had your garage door opener for some time, putting a fresh battery in the remote may help the pairing process. It takes more energy to pair the HomeLink than open the garage door.

Step 2 

Start the engine and keep the gear shift in Park. HomeLink is designed not to be programmed while the vehicle is in motion. This is a safety feature. Keep the GMC Acadia running so that the electrical system is fully functioning and the HomeLink control system is powered.

Step 3

Find the three HomeLink buttons on the center controls above the rearview mirror. On the GMC Acadia, the HomeLink buttons are on the ceiling near the front interior lights. 

Step 4

Press the outer two HomeLink buttons and hold to delete previous garage door links. Hold until the small light below the buttons either blinks rapidly or is a solid red. Release the buttons. Only do this when programming the first button, or you will delete the links you have already programmed.

Step 5

Choose which button you want to program for which garage door [or gate, lighting, security system]. Here are some options.

Program the 1st Button

You can program the 1st button to:

  • Use the first button to open the neighborhood's gate or your driveway's gate.
  • Set the first button to open the garage door for the garage stall to park your Acadia.
  • Program the first button to turn on exterior driveway lighting.

Order the HomeLink Buttons with Garage Doors

If you have multiple garage door stalls with separate doors, you can program the buttons in the order of the doors from left to right.

Using the Middle Button

Use the middle button to turn on interior lighting or your home security system. By using the middle button the same in each vehicle, you can program HomeLink to have the same program function on this button.

Motor car GMC Acadia in the city street.

Step 6

Press the garage door opener remote button, 1-6 inches away from the chosen button, at the same time you press that button. Hold until the red light flashes slowly before flashing rapidly. Release both buttons.

Change the Distance on Remote

The HomeLink pairing sometimes works better if you hold the garage door opener remote 4-6 inches from the HomeLink buttons while pairing.

Pairing Can Take Multiple Attempts

It may take 2-3 attempts at pairing for HomeLink to connect. You might try different angles or inches away from the program buttons.

Step 7

Press and hold the chosen button. The grade door should be linked and functional if the light is solid. For many vehicles, the pairing is ready, and you are done. 

If the light blinks twice and then is solid, you need to use rolling codes. 

Step 8

Rolling codes - Garage door openers that use rolling codes require that you or a second person use a ladder to press the "learn" or "smart" button on the receiver [motor opener] on the ceiling of your garage.

A Second Person on a Ladder

The second person can either be on the ladder or sit in your vehicle. Make sure whoever uses the ladder places it firmly and climbs carefully. The person will push the learn or smart button. You will then have 20-30 seconds to use the remote to pair with the Homelink buttons in your vehicle.

Click here to see a quality 7-Foot stepladder on Amazon.com.

Where is the Learning Button on a Garage Door Opener?

Double garage of modern home on sunny, clear day. A double garage and driveway of a modern home on a sunny, clear day.

The learning button on your garage door opener will be found on the motor unit on the ceiling of your garage. The button will be labeled either "Learn" or "Smart." It is often found on the front of the unit facing the garage door or on the side.

Step 9

Rolling codes - Once the Learn or Smart button is pushed, push the Acadia's HomeLink button for 2-seconds. Release. It can take up to 3 or more tries to get the garage door opener to pair with your vehicle's HomeLink controls.

Click here to see a garage door opener on Amazon.com.

Step 10

Push the vehicle's HomeLink button to verify that the garage door will open and close. Wait 30-60 seconds before using the HomeLink control to test the pairing.  

HomeLink Instructions

For a visual guide to the process, take a look at this tutorial from HomeLink:

Does HomeLink Work When my SUV is Turned Off?

If you park your GMC Acadia in your driveway, you don't have to worry if the HomeLink buttons will work. As a safety feature, the HomeLink buttons do not work if you have not started your vehicle.

Can Someone Else's Remote Open my Garage Door?

Modern garage door opener makers have worked to eliminate the problem of another's garage door remote working on your garage door opener. Though this occasionally happened, in 1991, the garage door industry began using rolling code technology that makes this nearly impossible.

Rolling Codes

Most garage door opener units use rolling codes which change every time you press the remote and open or close your garage door. Most modern garage door units with or without a Learn or Smart button use rolling codes to keep your garage safe.

Learn more on safety with Does A Garage Protect A Car?

Can I Program my Garage Door Opener to my Car without a Remote?

With the HomeLink wireless control system, you can often program the system to link with your garage door opener without the remote. If your vehicle doesn't use HomeLink, it may not be possible to program your garage door opener without the remote.

 Electronic door concept.

Buy a Univeral Remote

Programming without the remote can be time-consuming and requires patience. It is often better to buy a universal remote and program it to your garage door opener. Then use the remote to pair the HomeLink controls. 

Click here to see a Universal Garage Door Remote on Amazon.com.

In Summary

You can program your GMC Arcadia to pair the HomeLink wireless control system with your garage door unit or other control. You can check your vehicle's manual to see if your SUV has HomeLink installed.

Read more about the GMC Acadia's technology:

What SUVs Have Remote Start?

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