Garage door opener mod

[jintegra]

This project is an attempt to hide the unsightly GDO in the area where the HomeLink option, if installed, would go. This is a cheaper alternative to HL, but as you can see from the pics below, while it works, is not as elegant a solution. I had actually done a similar mod for our MPV a few years ago, & it had turned out much better because there was much more room in the overhead console to fit the opener. In the Accord, it is a very tight fit, even with a keychain remote.

[jintegra]

Light console, front.

[jintegra]

Light console, back, partially showing the opener.

[jintegra]

The finished product. Much more difficult than I anticipated, & moderately happy with the results. Oh well.

[ssjones]

Light console, back, partially showing the opener.
I came to that exact conclusion after opening up my console! I only have a one button remote, so needed only one switch. It looked like there wasn't any room to put in the switch, without gutting the inside of the console area. Nice work fitting your remote inside. Did you consider running longer wires, and putting the remote somewhere in the head-liner? How difficult is it to change the remote's battery?

[F6Hawk]

Some suggestions for future modders:

1) Buy a remote which requires 12v, that way you can tap into your car battery as the power source, and never have to worry about replacing the remote battery.

2) Consider placing the switch in the overhead console, and the remote in the hood area, as close as possible to the front of the car. This negates the tiny interior area of the overhead console, and places the transmitter as fas forward of interference as possible. Of course, this requires running wires down the pillars & thru the firewall.

3) Instead of those size switches, use the micro-mini ones. They are about half the size of the switch pictured, therefore require less clearance, and are less obtrusive in the ****pit.

Good mod, and thanks for the detailed pics. I once did the same thing for my motorcycle, and loved every minute of it!

[ssjones]

I'm stuck with Genie brand products for my rolling-code opener. Radio Shack does have a host of tiny micro-switches you can chose from as well.