DIY Open garage from steering wheel & BMW key

ppmz · 09-15-2012, 02:32 AM

So we don't have home-link units here in Australia because we use different frequencies. I thought there's got to be a simpler way, what about those spare buttons on the steering wheel like R/T and Phone?

Step 1: Take apart your spare garage remote

Step 2: Build your own iBUS relay board - that's the hard part

Step 3: Installed in the boot & working

I didn't touch anything inside the cabin.

Hmmm now what else could I control with my other two relays?

benzovs · 09-15-2012, 02:37 AM

Sweet! Where did you get the bus interface module?

ppmz · 09-15-2012, 11:23 PM

Now I managed to make it work via the BMW fob! I just hold down the trunk button for more than 5s and it will open my garage (and not open the boot). Even got the headunit LEDs to give me some feedback. See video.

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzovs

Sweet! Where did you get the bus interface module?

I designed my own board, sent it to China to get fabricated. $14 later I had it delivered, amazing what China can do. I have spares, but I'm reluctant to offer them, people might think they're easy to but together.

TrickTizzle · 09-19-2012, 01:56 AM

Where and how do you order?

ppmz · 09-19-2012, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrickTizzle

Where and how do you order?

I'd love to turn them into a product, but I don't think they'd be economical unless I sold them for $50 each. If you're good with electronics and can program a microcontroller, I could send you a bare board for postage only.

Ballistic325 · 09-20-2012, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppmz

Hmmm now what else could I control with my other two relays?

Your missus?

One of the guys in the Aus section stripped a home link unit and replaced the insides with his garage remote internals. There's some posts and pics in a misc thread somewhere...

Love your work

Wish you were in Sydney.

EDIT: if you did productise them, I am sure that you would get plenty of sales from the Aus section. Just a thought

ppmz · 10-02-2012, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballistic325

if you did productise them, I am sure that you would get plenty of sales from the Aus section. Just a thought

I've no idea how to get electronics manufactured, but there's probably $5 worth of parts in it if you know how to solder.

--
Moved garage-open to the phone button, plus managed to show diagnostics info on the head unit. A bit basic, but just experimenting. Video:

09-15-2012, 02:32 AM	#1
ppmz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 91 My Ride: 330i View My Garage	DIY Open garage from steering wheel & BMW key So we don't have home-link units here in Australia because we use different frequencies. I thought there's got to be a simpler way, what about those spare buttons on the steering wheel like R/T and Phone? Step 1: Take apart your spare garage remote Step 2: Build your own iBUS relay board - that's the hard part Step 3: Installed in the boot & working I didn't touch anything inside the cabin. Hmmm now what else could I control with my other two relays? Attached Thumbnails Last edited by ppmz; 09-16-2012 at 12:05 AM.

09-19-2012, 01:56 AM	#4
TrickTizzle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minneapolis/Milwaukee Posts: 2,985 My Ride: 325i View My Garage	Where and how do you order? __________________ TC Kline \| BMW Performance \| Active Autowerke .

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09-15-2012, 02:37 AM	#2
benzovs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Tucson Posts: 138 My Ride: 2000 323i View My Garage	Sweet! Where did you get the bus interface module?