599 HomeLink Programming

I have a 2008 599. It has the factory HomeLink buttons. I found the instructions online and some in the 458/488 section that are the same. BUT I am having no luck getting the system to program to my LiftMaster garage door opener.

And yes, I did RTM. That option isn't covered in the owners manual. I am sure there was some other supplement but I don't have it.

The instructions on the HomeLink site and others are below. There is another section if the door still doesn't work but I am not convinced I am getting this part done correctly. When I push the button the light illuminates (solid, not flashing) hold 20 sec and it starts to flash; it stops when I release the button. I push the button to program and the remote, the light goes on solid. After about 30 sec or so it starts to flash quickly. NOTE: there is no flash slowly as stated in step 3. Thoughts?

1. For first time training, press and hold the two outer HomeLink® buttons, releasing only when the HomeLink indicator light begins to flash after 20 seconds. (Do not perform this step when training the additional HomeLink buttons.)
2. Position the hand-held transmitter 1-3 inches away from the HomeLink surface (usually located on your visor, overhead console, or mirror), keeping the HomeLink indicator light in view.
3. Using both hands, simultaneously press and hold both the desired HomeLink button and hand held transmitter button. DO NOT release until the HomeLink indicator light flashes slowly and then rapidly. When the indicator light flashes rapidly, both buttons may be released. (The rapid flashing indicates successful training.)
4. Press and hold the trained HomeLink button and observe the indicator light.
   • If the indicator light is solid/continuous, training is complete and your device should activate when the HomeLink button is pressed and released.
   • If the indicator light blinks rapidly for 2 seconds and then turns a solid/continuous light, proceed with the following training instructions for a rolling code device. A second person may make the following steps quicker and easier. Please use a ladder or other device. Do not stand on your vehicle to perform the next steps.

 

Thanks guys. I was getting what appeared to be closer so maybe I will keep trying.

 

This thread is a year old but I finally got back to this project so I will update. In 2008 they changed the protocol for Homelink. Theoretically everything should be new style after 2008 but that doesn't mean that the Italian's got that message so you will need a compatibility bridge. I got a Chamberlain Homelink Compatibility Bridge for $30 on Amazon. Then it took a couple of minutes to get this working.

The compatibility bridge is a small box that plugs into the wall and has an antenna (this does the translation from old protocol to new protocol) and a remote that is mated to the small box. Here is the process: Hold the provided remote 1" to 3" from your Homelink buttons. Push the button on the remote AND the button you want to program at the same time. In about 5 seconds it will start flashing fast. You have now mated your button to match the remote. Plug in the small box. Go to your garage door opener and program that with the car as usual. For my Liftmaster I push the Learn button twice, the learn led lights red. Then go to the car and push and hold the Homelink button until the Homelink LED lights solid. You are now DONE and it will control your garage door opener.

Hope this helps others in the future.

 

I have a new remote but it isn't just drop in to the existing system. I need to make an adapter but got busy and didn't do it yet.

From what I can tell: Homelink standard changed around that time. It adopted the Security+ 2.0 standard and unfortunately, that standard isn't backward compatible. Most openers would work but the newest will not. It looks like Ferrari changed to the new standard somewhere around 2009. That means the 2007 and 2008 will not properly program to a new opener (the way the rolling code progresses is different).

And yes, it looks like it programs properly. It just will not run the opener. If I use a bridge it works properly but the bridge gets out of sync if there is a power failure so it isn't a very good solution. It is also how I know the module is using 1.0 standard.

I suspect if you purchased a new module, it would be the new standard because they changed part way through production. That would be the easiest process but also the most expensive.

 

I was just looking at Eurospares and it appears to be available, 217879 HOME LINK ECU. Cost is $1590 so definitely not cheap but clearly the easiest way to make the change.

I should have time to get back to my project soon. I will update as soon as I test the solution.

 

That probably means it is your garage door opener, not the remotes.

 

Exactly. I picked up one but it has the buttons built onto the board. I was considering how to make an adapter to the keypad's cable. I like your approach better. It is likely a lot easier. Let us know.