I cannot get my garage opener to work in the overhead console. It is making contact but the signal is being blocked by the console. Even with the console door open and manually pushing the opener it won't work. It works fine while in the cup holders or mounted on the fuse door on the lower dash. It has a new battery but is about 22 years old, a Sears unit. Any suggestions or similar experiences?

 

Mine works with the transmitter in the overhead console but I have to be a lot closer to the door to get it to open than I do with it on the visor. I also have a Sears opener but it uses the current style transmitter.

 

I was just getting pi$$ed about that last nite! I have to either be right next to the door, or take it out to open it. Perhaps these consoles are shielded with lead to prevent the compass and temp. display from being harmed in case of a nuclear blast?

 

I remember reading in one of my magazines that the tinting on the top of the windshield may stop some of the signal from openers.

 

I have Genie opener with the remote in the overhead console and it works great. I can open it from at least 100 yards (before I turn on to my street). If I leave it on the visor I can open it from the front of the neighborhood (1 block over). BTW I have 2001 Expy.

 

Mine is very bad also. I back into the garage so the problem may not be the tint. I have to almost touch the door to open it. Almost the same with the door opener, door open. Any thoughts to a solution?

 

It sounds like it might be related to the age of your opener. My experience would say that. We always had problems with my old opener on any vehicle. New or old batteries, close-up only.

I put in a new opener about 5 months ago. Now the 2000 F-150 can open it while being quite a ways away. I have a turn around drive and I can hit it driving along side of the garage or even coming up the drive.....

My opener is a Chamberlein that I bought and installed easily myself. Had a friend help during part of it.

Hunt

 

Gentlemen,

There are two sides to this problem, 1- transmit and 2- receive. If you are saying the problem has worsened since you put the opener in the overhead console, then it is most likely caused by the fact that you have "shielded" the opener by locating it "deeper" into your vehicle (assuming it was previously attached to a visor). The truck's metal has an attenuating effect on radio waves so less signal is being radiated from it when compared to placing on the visor near the windshield. (Note: some window tints contain metals, they also may have an attenuating effect as previously mentioned) Assuming all systems are working properly, look into improving the location or position of the opener's receiving antenna. Models vary, but it may be possible to move it to a position that will help improve its reception to compensate for the signal loss you may be experiencing.