Z4Homelink 001 This is the used automotive homelink module that I bought off of EBay. It obviously came right out of a vehicle sun visor. It's fairly small and thin, and came...
1 This is the used automotive homelink module that I bought off of EBay. It obviously came right out of a vehicle sun visor. It's fairly small and thin, and came with the molex power connector
Z4Homelink 002 I popped off the decorative trim piece and opened the unit up to see whether it was worth just reusing the bare pcb or go with the entire unit. The metal bar on...
2 I popped off the decorative trim piece and opened the unit up to see whether it was worth just reusing the bare pcb or go with the entire unit. The metal bar on the right side of the pcb is the loop antenna. I decided that it was compact enough for me to mount the entire unit
Z4Homelink 003 I then cleaned up the trim plate with alcohol and painted it black (paint is still wet in this pic)
3 I then cleaned up the trim plate with alcohol and painted it black (paint is still wet in this pic)
Z4Homelink 005 My goal is to mount the homelink towards the driver side on the trim plate that is below the climate controls and above the ashtray area.
4 My goal is to mount the homelink towards the driver side on the trim plate that is below the climate controls and above the ashtray area.
Z4Homelink 004 Here is the rough positioning that I want to go for.
5 Here is the rough positioning that I want to go for.
Z4Homelink 006 I would like to find switched power (on in accessory) and ground somewhere behind this panel. Briefly scanning visually, I see these various cable bundles, but...
6 I would like to find switched power (on in accessory) and ground somewhere behind this panel. Briefly scanning visually, I see these various cable bundles, but I don't want to start ripping things apart unless I know what I am looking for and where I should look. I assume that I am looking for a violet w/stripe wire for accessory power, but unsure where to find it.
Z4Homelink 008 Well, I am getting closer. My first attempt was to disconnect the harness going to the center of the climate controls so that I could inspect it closer. After...
7 Well, I am getting closer. My first attempt was to disconnect the harness going to the center of the climate controls so that I could inspect it closer. After lots of peering through a mirror with a flashlight, I finally figured how the connector latch worked and managed to disconnect it.
Z4Homelink 009 Unfortunately, this did not turn up much interesting, at least to my inexperienced eyes. Realizing that there was pretty easy access to the ashtray area, I...
8 Unfortunately, this did not turn up much interesting, at least to my inexperienced eyes. Realizing that there was pretty easy access to the ashtray area, I decided to check it out. Removed the single philipps screw that holds the ashtray assembly in place.
Z4Homelink 011 Then gently prying the front of the ashtray assembly up
9 Then gently prying the front of the ashtray assembly up
Z4Homelink 012 Once the front of the ashtray is completely clear, the rear edge unhooks from its pivot points. Now, its time to go inspect for a likely wire that I can tap for...
10 Once the front of the ashtray is completely clear, the rear edge unhooks from its pivot points. Now, its time to go inspect for a likely wire that I can tap for switched accessory power. Ground is easily available from the cigarette lighter. Found purple/white stripe switched power going to pin 22 of the big brown connector. Tapped it and tested fine with DMM and also using aligator clips to the homelink module. Time to dress everything up and gradually put it back together. I've held off actually mounting the homelink module to the trim panel until I had the electrics sorted out. Time to get out the dremel now...
Z4Homelink 013 I know it's kinda cheesy compared to the way some do their mods, but I had some spare speaker zip wire lying around that I put to use. Soldered ground to the...
11 I know it's kinda cheesy compared to the way some do their mods, but I had some spare speaker zip wire lying around that I put to use. Soldered ground to the back of the cigarette lighter and used a small blue Radio Shack self-tap connector to tap into the accessory power.
Z4Homelink 014 Ran the wire up from the ashtray to the access panel below the climate controls, then buttoned the ashtray assembly back up. I attached the molex connector that...
12 Ran the wire up from the ashtray to the access panel below the climate controls, then buttoned the ashtray assembly back up. I attached the molex connector that came with the home link module and reverified that I had proper connections.
Z4Homelink 015 Now, the tricky part. With my dremel, I routed out a rough hole in the trim panel to accommodate the homelink pushbutton plate. I started by tracing the outline...
13 Now, the tricky part. With my dremel, I routed out a rough hole in the trim panel to accommodate the homelink pushbutton plate. I started by tracing the outline of the button plate on the back of the trim panel and then staying well within the lines, expanding as necessary. It was quite an ugly mess, so I won't embarrass myself by showing any photos. I then tried to press fit the button plate onto the module, sandwiching the trim panel. This is where things got a bit dicey, the trim panel as-is is just way too thick for the button plate's short posts to latch onto the module. My first step was to use the dremel to sand down all the reinforcement ribs on the back of the trim panel in the area that was keeping the homelink module too "aloft". This still was not enough, so I then used the sanding disc to thin the edges of the trim panel from around the backside of the hole I had made for the pushbuttons to pass through. This proved to be better, but by just a hair I still cannot completely latch the button plate onto the homelink module.
Unfortunately all this mucking about with the buttons proved that I had not let the black paint dry long enough. So, I repainted the button plate and let it completely dry overnight before continuing. Once dry, I pressed the button plate onto the module while leaving the clamshell open. From the inside of the clamshell, I dabbed hot or silicone glue onto the tips of the button plate's 2 posts to keep them mated. It's amazing how the electrical stuff, which you think is going to be the most difficult part, becomes overshadowed by something so simple.
Z4Homelink 017 Here's a pic of the final install. Approx $35 out of pocket and several hours of diy labor (mostly trying to figure out what the hell I was doing), I am happy!
14 Here's a pic of the final install. Approx $35 out of pocket and several hours of diy labor (mostly trying to figure out what the hell I was doing), I am happy!