Garage door button with pictures

i wanted to put a button in the blank spot next to the A-Trac button below the HVAC controls. this button activates my garage door using my wireless remote. i didn't find any posts on putting a switch in this location, so i figured I'd post some pics if someone else was interested in doing that.

i bought a push button switch: B Electrical Inc Model: GSW-22. I recommend this exact model because it worked perfect, you'll see why later.

start by removing the 4X4 switch knob then pull the 4X4 shroud out. should pull straight out. i used two needle nose pliers to grab behind where the knob was and pull. then reach your fingers behind the HVAC controls and push on the clips that hold the housing in. that pops the left side of the HVAC off and the right comes off with some more tweaking and pulling.
I put my fingers in the hole above the blank and felt around till i could feel the clip holding the blank in on the top. and after some pushing it popped out.



as you can see, there is a lot of plastic on the back side of the blank. i used a dremel and other tools at my disposal to remove the excess plastic in order to make room for the switch.



here's what it looks like after the cutting. make sure you do not cut off the clips. these will be used to hold the blank and switch back in when you're done.



every garage door remote is different. you'll have to open yours up and determine where to connect your wires to complete the circuit when the new switch in used. here's the circuit board out of my remote.



then i took the button covers out of the remote and here is my completed setup.



you'll need to drill a hole in the blank and insert the switch. notice how perfectly it fits? the only thing i did was i bent the brass arms inward a little bit, to allow the clips on the blank to flex in order for it to be inserted back into the dash.



here is the finished project. be sure to do several tests along the way. you don't want to repeat any of this if you don't have to. after putting the blank back i tucked the remote under the dash just to the right of the steering column. easy access in order to change the battery when needed.



helper is optional....

 

Dude... killer job. I have a background in garage doors so to all you out there who attempt this make SURE you use the right compatible remote.

 

why not just put the remote in the overhead console... theres a spot for it withi a button and everything...

 

Damn nice

 

Awesome write-up, but my favorite part was the helper!! What a cute little guy!!

 

Not all tacoma's have that. I believe if you have the TRD package with overhead compass, you don't have the garage door opener built in.

 

Very nice job, and great write up! it looks like your little guy was happy that the job was done right!! I hope he wasn't too tough of a supervisor!

 

Because my garage door opener doesn't work in that little "one size fits most" compartment. This is a pretty cool write up - thanks.

 

Nice work!

 

That "garage door button" is known as "Homelink." It should be compatible with most contemporary garage door openers.

 

The baby made the thread. LOL

 

I got a gentex homelink rear view mirror...just haven't had the time to install it...

 

that's correct. i have an overhead compass and two map lights.

 

not too bad at all. Easy way to keep Brendan entertained for a little while.

adam

 

Verynice job and use of the switch location. Gotta love Bumbo chairs!