How to Program a Buick Garage Opener

by Misty Barton

Buick vehicles are equipped with a Universal Home Remote system that allows you to open and close the garage door without the assistance of a secondary remote. The system is only compatible with garage door openers which have both stop- and reverse-motions. A single code garage door opener has a set of switches inside that determine the entry code used, while a rolling code changes the code needed to open and close the garage door every time it is used. The programming methods for these two opener styles are different, but both can be accomplished in a few steps.

Single-Code Opener

Step 1

Ensure that your current garage door opener was manufactured after April 1, 1982. If it was manufactured before this date, a new opener compatible with the Buick Universal Home Remote System will have to be installed.

Step 2

Locate the original manufacturer's remote for the garage door opener, and ensure that it is in working order by using it to open, close and stop the door.

Step 3

Remove the battery cover from the original manufacturer's remote to reveal a panel with switch numbers.

Step 4

Write down the coding-switch information in order, moving from right to left. If the switch is up, write "On." If the switch is down, write "Off." There should be between 8 and 12 switches depending on the manufacturer. Your switches may have three setting positions, in which case, write "On," "Middle" or "Off," accordingly.

Step 5

Press all three buttons on the Buick Universal Remote at once to put the system into programming mode. Programming must be completed two-and-a-half minutes after programming mode is engaged.

Step 6

Enter the switch settings into the Buick's Universal Remote. The left button corresponds to "On" the middle button corresponds with "middle" and the right button corresponds with "Off". Press the button that corresponds to the first switch, release the button, and then press all three buttons again to signal the remote that you are entering the second switch. Repeat this process until all of the switches are entered.

Step 7

Press and release all three buttons at the same time again when you have entered all the switch codes. All the indicator lights will come on.

Step 8

Press and hold the button you wish to control the garage door. Do not release until the door begins to move. This can take up to a minute.

Step 9

Release the button immediately when the door starts to move. The indicator light above the button will blink rapidly. Do not do anything to the system until the indicator light quits blinking.

Step 10

Press and release to the button again to insure that programming was correctly completed. The door should move when the button is pressed.

Rolling-Code Opener

Step 1

Ensure that your current garage door opener was manufactured after April 1, 1982. If it was manufactured before this date, a new opener which is compatible with the Buick Universal Home Remote System will have to be installed.

Step 2

Press the right and left buttons on the Universal Remote and hold them for one to two seconds.

Step 3

Locate and press the "Learn" button on the control panel located on the motor head of the garage-door opener. You will have no more than 30 seconds to complete programming after pressing this button.

Step 4

Press and hold the button on the Buick's Universal Remote that you wish to control the garage door. The indicator button above the light will begin to blink slowly.

Step 5

Hold the button until the garage door begins to move. This may take up to 20 seconds.

Step 6

Release the button as soon as the garage door begins to move. The indicator light will blink rapidly while the programming is completed. Do not do anything to the system until the light stops blinking.

Step 7

Press and release to the button again to check that programming was correctly completed. The door should move when the button is pressed.

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