Can't Program Garage Door Opener 1997 E320!!!
 

Anyone else get their W210 garage door opener to work with a Sears Craftsman garage door opener? My opener is about 5 years old.

I followed the directions exactly as stated in the manual:

1. Turn key to position 1 or 2.
2. Press and hold one visor button until the light starts flashing; continue holding.
3. Put handheld transmitter up to the sun visor (still holding down button on visor). Press button on handheld transmitter and hold until light on visor starts to flash rapidly.

Everything seemed to work according to plan, judging from the flashing lights, however absolutely nothing happens when I actually use the button.

I also tried it the other way around, followed the instructions on the Craftsman receiver:

1. Press and hold the visor button (had my wife do this in car with key turned to position 1).
2. Press and release "learn" button on Craftsman unit.
3. Continue to hold visor button until "learn" light flashes on Craftsman unit.

Step 3 never completed, as the "learn" light just eventually went out. It never flashed to indicate it learned the remote.

Finally, though I can't tell if this unit is Homelink, I did go to the Homelink site and look at their instruction video. It doesn't appear to apply to this vehicle since the outer 2 buttons are used to set the learning mode. Homelink did not indicate that they are separately programmable buttons as the Mercedes owners' manual points out.

H E L P !!!

I too was unable to get the MB procedure to work so I tried the reverse procedure as you have but my opener (Chamberlin) had me press the 'learn' button first and then press and hold one of the buttons on the visor (which is the same procedure for programming the Chamberlin remotes) so you might try that.

Good luck.

Common prob, not so common solution. I have been able to get it to work through the learn mode on the actual head unit but not with the remotes. I believe there is a way to clear the codes (on the car) prior to adding a new one so you may try that.

Correct - use the learn mode on the motor unit not the remote. (takes 2 people)

Did yours work with a Craftsman unit? I wonder if that is the problem? The codes on the car have never been set, so I don't think that is the problem. I wasn't successful with any of the 3 buttons, though the flashing light show would have you believe otherwise.

I just tried the learn mode on the receiver as follows:

1. Press learn button on receiver.
2. Press and hold visor button until receiver light flashes.

This process is posted on the numeric keypad, though it differs from the instruction sticker on the receiver itself. Either way, I tried it and it didn't work. It did work, though, with the remotes, so I know it is indeed functional.

I wonder if the car from 1997 just isn't compatible with 2004 technology? Is that possible? Were the folling codes in 1997 done differently?

I did this - my wife held the button on the visor down. Nothing happened.

How close were you to unit? I had to pull both cars out of garage and center the car right under garage unit to make it work.

I got it to work on an ML430, could not connect with an 04 500E (had Mercedes rep come out and do it) and then got it to work on a C55. I have a chamberlin head unit.

I agree that the car needs to be CLOSE when you do it. Pretty frustrating. :mad:

I never could get mine programmed either ('97 S500). Mine is also a Craftsman - several years old.

I have two "Overhead" Door" units (circa 1997).

Over the years, I have programmed the 99 ML320, 01 CLK430, 07 ML350, and 09 ML350 using the method below.

The defining parameter to the coding sequence was to take a coded remote from the garage door opener and aim it towards the vehicle's unit first, then use the "learn" procedure outlined in the rest of the instructions.

Video on how to do it

http://www.mercedesbenzofaustin.com/1-minute-with-glenn.aspx

The visor was pulled slightly out of the car and, while not DIRECTLY underneath the head unit, was pretty close (maybe 3.5 to 4 feet).

I programmed all of my cars when parked in the driveway in front of the garage. I don't see why you need to be directly under the unit.

OK, I give up. I guess it's just not possible. Either that or I'm just stupid.

Agreed. In the video link provided, the tech is able to program from out in the driveway.

I have programmed the visor to learn the transmitter code, then pressed the "learn" button on the head unit, but when I press and hold the newly-programmed visor button nothing happens. I've duplicated the process with both handheld transmitters as well as the numeric keypad and it worked on all 3, so I know I'm doing it right.

I have the same issue. Tried all ways described in the forum, vedio but no luck. Cleared codes several times and tried again and again but got no where.

When I've done the programming with a rolling code opener; I had to first program the homelink with the garage door remote; then repeat with the 'learn' or 'training' button on the garage motor itself.

See this mbusa video (this is the procedure I used on my 02 E-class)
https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/owners/videos/year-2011/class-GL_Class/model-All/videoId-fc2eab43c4d8b210VgnVCM1000007c184335RCRD

Reread your car's Owners Manual, if you have one.

My 98 trained right up to my ca. 2005 Genie Intellicode and my dad's ca. 2008 LiftMaster. Both of these are "rolling code" units.

I know rolling code came out in the late 90s, I wonder if the 97s were different than the 98s on being able to handle the rolling code system.

Try this:
- hold down L and R buttons for 20 seconds until it flashes to clear it out
- Using your current remote do the press and hold thing (per the manual) until the visor light fast flashes (sometimes you have to do it a couple times for it to take)
- Go to your opener and press (and release) the learn button, there is usually an LED next to the learn button that should turn on or flash (this part is not in the manual, at least not in the manual for my 98)
- Go back to the car, hit the programmed visor button several times until the door starts moving.

I would be careful with the car in the garage, make sure the car is clear of the door or else be sure the drive mechanism is disengaged.

Resurrecting this old thread since I have the same problem. Turns out the 1996-1997 visors have a RED indicator light and these are not compatible with rolling-code garage door remotes/openers.

You need a 1998-up visor with AMBER indicator light, these will working with rolling code remotes/openers.

:batman:

gsxr, OK explain this away. My granddaughter's husband programmed my '97
CL500 in a couple of minutes. I have a relatively new Chamberlain opener with rolling codes. We used the Austin MB video as a guide.
I upgraded to a '97 CL600 and I can't program it! Unfortunately Matt lives 1500 miles from me! :mad:
Anziani
'97 CL600 52K

It could be related to build date. I have two 97 E420's that are very early production and they have the red-light visor that doesn't work with rolling codes. However, I also have another 97 E420 that is a very late build (06/97 production, almost overlapping 1998 model year) and that one has the amber-light visor that does work with rolling codes. I don't know if a previous owner upgraded the visor, or if the late style visor was phased into production late in the 1997 model year.

It would be interesting to check the build dates (month/year) on the VIN tag in the driver door jamb, on each of your CL's. And, see what color the LED is on each as well.

:chinese2:

Interesting. The Cl500 has been sold but it is in the area. It took the opener. It is my Cl600 that won't. It gives the "delivery" date of Mar 24, 1997 but no build date on the "data card". I'll have to check and see what color the flashes are.
Thanks for the tip.
Anziani