[teksavy]

Hi All:

I completed my homelink installation today and wanted to post details on how to do the install for yourself.

First some before and after pics...

Before:

After:

See next post for installation instructions.

-Ed

 

[teksavy]

Teksavy's Homelink installation instructions
(rev 1.0 - 11/16/15)

This guide will show you how to install a homelink 5 transmitter into your 2016 Volt. Note that my vehicle is an LTZ model with all options. I'll attempt to provide alternate wiring options for non LTZ trim cars that do not have the autodimming mirror.

Items required:

• Homelink 5 transmitter with grey trim
  I got a brandmotion unit (model 2000-4103) from Amazon.
  Note that Brandmotion has stopped marketing this unit, so stock will eventually be hard to find under the brandmotion name. However the unit is also available at Mito Corp at a higher price. (model 60-HMLKV5GRAY)
• Wiretaps
  The brandmotion kit comes with Posi-Taps, but if your kit doesn't have them, you can use scotch-loks or 3M T-Taps for 22 gauge wire.
  I personally would advise against cutting factory wiring, so a non-destructive wiretap method is suggested.
• Cloth tape
  Electrical tape will work too, but the clotch tape will help keep noise down

Tools needed:

• Dremel with cutoff wheel
• Pliers
• T10 torx tool
• Drill

Nice to have:

• Digital Multi Meter
• Test wires with aligator clips
• paperclip
• Plastic trim removal tool

Installation:

1. Pull down the overhead console
   There are four clips that hold the console to the roof. Start by using a plastic trim removal tool (your fingers work too) to pull down the front of the console (the area where are mic holes are) first, tilt the front down, then pull down the rear (the end closest to the front windshield). The rear of the console has black fingers that you'll need to make sure clear the headliner when you pull it down. Not a big deal, but be mindful of them- especially when you reinstall.
   
   
   
   
2. Disconnect harnesses and bring console to workbench
   You'll need to disconnect the console electronics module (black box) and microphone
   
   
   
   
3. Position plastic homelink button template on console
   Make sure the template (that comes with the kit) is centered top and bottom as well as left to right. Make sure the angle of the bezel matches the angle of the character line of the console. (The homelink activity LED should be closest to the mic holes.) Use tape to make sure it doesn't move.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Remove electronics module from the plastic console holder
   You'll need to remove two torx screws (T10 I think) and unsnap some plastic retainers
   
   
   
   
5. Drill four holes in the console at the corners of the bezel markings
   These will be used to help make the cut-off wheel cuts clean and straight.
   
   
   
   
6. "Connect the holes" with a cut-off wheel
   Using your dremel, cut the remainder of the template out between the holes you just drilled
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Remove support "webbing" from the backside of the console
   The support "webbing" on the back of the console will need to be removed in order to finish your cutting as well as provide enough room for the homelink module. I found that it was easiest to do so by making relief cuts at the intersection of webbing and then using a set of pliers to "twist" sections of the webbing away from the backside of the console.
   
   
   
   
8. Test fit homelink buttons
   Check to make sure your cutout is sized correctly. (My hole was too small initally, so I had to enlarge it manually using a grinder attachment.) You want to make sure the "fingers" of the button panel aren't cramped against the console or else they will not line up correctly when installing the homelink module. (Ask me how I know.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Notch out clearance for wire harness
   You will need to cut a support web slightly to allow for clearance for the homelink power harness. (Don't go overboard with your cuts here- you'll need as much of the support web as possible since you cut out a lot already.)
   
   
   
   
10. Install foam gaskets, wire harness and homelink module
    Cut the supplied homelink power harness to about 1 foot in length. Connect the three-pin power harness to the homelink module, then install the foam gaskets. Three foam gaskets come with the kit. You'll need to install one in the front (between the button bezel and the console) and the remaining two on the back (between the console and the homelink module itself.) Note, you may be tempted to note install the foam gasket on the front and stack all three on the back. Don't do it. You need a foam gasket in the front to keep the illumination light from leaking out between the homelink button bezel and the overhead console plastic. Since the console has a slight bevel to it, it is impossible to avoid a gap here. Use the foam gasket on the front. It doesn't look bad.
    
    Snap the homelink module to the button bezel and make sure the unit is positioned correctly in the console.
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Reassemble the overhead console and locate wiring harness at the car
    Put the black electronics module back into the console and return to the Volt.
    
    You'll need to make electrical connections at the wire harness in the headliner. You should see a wiring harness similar to the one below. (Note this harness is from an LTZ with a video camera for the safety packages.)
    
    
    
    
12. Open harness and make electrical connections
    Depending on if you have an LTZ or lower level trim will determine the electrical connections you need to make. I was unable to find a switched ignition power source on the main wiring connector going to the black electronics box. However, there is one leading to the autodimming rear view mirror and we'll use that wire to power the homelink module since it is more secure that way.
    
    If you don't have an LTZ trim car, you'll need to source your power from a constant +12V source located in the main harness (less secure and lose the backlighting function.) or find another switched ignition source in the main fuse box. (Not covered here.)
    
    
    Wiring connections:
    

    
    LTZ Trim (with autodimming mirror):
    

    • Switched Ignition = Purple w/ Green stripe
    • Ground = Black

    
    Non LTZ Trim (no autodimming mirror):
    

    • Constant +12V = Red w/ Green stripe
    • Ground = Black

    Note: The white wire
    ​
    
    Note: Use a multimeter and paperclip to verify the above wire connections. While they work on my 9/15 build date Gen 2 Volt, GM is notorious for making wiring changes during production, so better safe than sorry.
    
    Using a razor, very carefully slice open the wiring harness in the overhead console like this:
    
    
    
    And make your wiring connections using your wiretap connectors using this guide:
    • Red and white wire from the homelink harness [LTZ trim]= Switched +12V -or-
    • Red wire only [non LTZ trim] = Constant +12V
    • black wire from homelink harness = ground
    
    Note: For the homelink wiring harness, the red wire is power, the white wire is illumination and the black wire is ground. Do not use the white wire if you have a non LTZ trim car and are connecting to a constant 12V power source. (I couldn't find a reliable illumination circuit in the main harness.)
    
    
13. Program and test your new homelink module
    
    
    
    
14. Retape factory harness
    Using cloth adhesive tape (preferred) or electrical tape, retape the factory harness that you previously opened making sure you isolate your wiretaps from each other to keep noise down.
    
    
15. Reinstall console
    Installation is reverse of removal. Just make sure you insert the back of the console first (closest to the windshield) and make sure the black tabs are fully engaged above the headliner first before reinstalling.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know and I'll update these instructions.

Hope this helps,

Ed

 

[bgodzilla]

Wow. That looks amazing!

-bgodzilla

 

[heyeph]

Nice! Much better than on the mirror!

 

[NeoCyber]

Impressive! Blown away, looks OEM, wow...

 

[Steverino]

Looks great!
Brandmotion 2000-4102 HomeLink Wireless System (Tan), $118 on Amazon
Install PDF https://www.brandmotion.com/docs/2000-4100II1.pdf

It will be good to see how Teksavy wired it.

 

[thedigitel]

Great, now everyone can stop bitching about not having Homelink. Lol

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

 

[Flybuddy]

Nice find and good install! I'll bet he was able to tap into the light panel just below it. Looking forward to seeing where he actually pulled power for it.

 

[heyeph]

Looks so good, I bet I could do this even on my lease.

 

[Blastphemy]

And yet Chevrolet couldn't figure out how to offer this much-used feature that's in almost every other car? Ridiculous.

 

[Volt4You]

Thanks so much for this. The one must have feature for me Chevy dropped the ball on. Can't wait to add this to my leased 2016.

 

[llninja]

Looks so good, I bet I could do this even on my lease.

Just do it, the leasing company will never know. But then again, you'd be giving away the homelink when you are done leasing the car. That's like having the leasing company more cash. So maybe I shouldn't tell you to do it.

 

[Livid]

Wow! I want it!

 

[teksavy]

Looks great!
Brandmotion 2000-4102 HomeLink Wireless System (Tan), $118 on Amazon
Install PDF https://www.brandmotion.com/docs/2000-4100II1.pdf

It will be good to see how Teksavy wired it.

Almost.. The color is grey... not tan. (I know the pictures make it look tan, but I didn't color correct the photo from my phone.)

The correct part number is 2000-4103. Brandmotion doesn't sell them anymore (I know, I asked.) Amazon has them available here, but only limited quantities are left. If you want one, I'd order now.

Also, I may be able to put together a group buy if enough people are interested once Amazon runs out.

BTW, the above part number is homelink 5... the latest version.

-Ed

 

[BeachBoy]

Seems the 4102 or 5103 is the same thing except the color.

their install guide is the same

https://www.brandmotion.com/docs/2000-4100II1.pdf

So this would be the Tan one: http://www.amazon.com/Brandmotion-2..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=0ZP1HWNM8X3144R2XBKB

 

[Livid]

I grabbed a grey one from Amazon. The price had gone up to $142.

 

[llninja]

I grabbed a grey one from Amazon. The price had gone up to $142.

Amazon is evil, they give different prices to different people knowing what you have searched for in the past and are likely to purchase. The real killer are those add on items to get you over the free shipping limit. I tried to buy a bunch of children's placemats, but they wouldn't sell them to me unless I bought something in addition to the add on. So I went looking elsewhere and discovered a 50% markup at Amazon on those items. Here, you're thinking "cool free shipping" but that's where they get you. So stop feeding their riches and give to any other online retailer instead.

 

[spikestabber]

Great work, still dumbfounded why GM just didn't bother reusing the prior part given the space exists for it.

PS: Your rearview mirror is upside down. Sensor spot should be on the bottom.

 

[bsr8129]

I'm not sure this beats a $35 garage door opener.

 

[teksavy]

Seems the 4102 or 5103 is the same thing except the color.

their install guide is the same

https://www.brandmotion.com/docs/2000-4100II1.pdf

So this would be the Tan one: http://www.amazon.com/Brandmotion-2..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=0ZP1HWNM8X3144R2XBKB

Ypu want the GREY one.... NOT TAN!