door handles

Mikey · Oct 26, 2011

This PROBABLY won't work.

I got down to the last piece on the factory handle and I couldnt remove it. It was the rod that attached to the actual handle of the assembly. Which is different than the sedan handle, might I add. Had I gotten it off and been able to compare them, side-by-side, I imagine they're damn near identical.

I ended up messing something up in the process of putting everything back together because now my alarm doesnt arm correctly. I'll keep this updated though.

ActNow · Oct 26, 2011

I got stuck in the same place you did. But instead of giving up i took it to a honda dealer who outsorces body work and special requests to a private paint and body shop. I met the guy at the dealer where on the spot he got the handle off and put the keyless one on in its place. I tried to pay attention to see how he did it but its been so many years since I've had it done that I will just be taking my car back to his shop and get the driver side done. I do however remember that it looked complicated and that he had to modify/switch out the the spring and pin setup on the back of the handle. You can check out my members ride page to see the finish results. These handles did come off of another sedan so i knew it would work.

Mikey · Oct 26, 2011

Yeah, that spring piece needs to be swapped. Im also curious what was done with the sensor that attaches to the key cylinder. That sensor is what was giving me alarm issues. If unplugging it voids it then, aside from swapping spring pieces, this could be fairly simple.

ActNow · Oct 27, 2011

My car didn't come with an alarm so I didn't have that issue. I'm still curious to do it myself since everything is still fresh on your mind I hope you attempt and succeed a good DIY. This is a mod that I'm sure could catch on fairly well.

Mikey · Oct 27, 2011

It's all cake until you get to that sensor. Not only does it have the worlds tiniest screw but the male tab on that sensor, if you wanna put it back, has to be just right.

Getting to the upper(right) bolt on the hanlde is a bit of a *****. I had to use a 1/4-drive, 8" extension with a swivel socket, lol.

Then getting that damn rod out. It's not a normal rod, like the ones on the back of the INT door handle. This one is like a joint. It attaches to a piece that's attached to anoter piece of the handle. You have to see the handle to know what I mean. And even if you get that undone, you cant just put the sedan handle in. You have to retain parts from the coupe handle, so you have to remove said parts from the sedan handle and swap on the coupe handle parts. So you basically have to make a hybrid handle, lol.

It's not rocket science, but it's not exactly something any Joe Schmoe off the street could do. You need to have certain tools and know-how. I have all those things, I just hate fussing with it, lol.

I'll think about it. If Honda won't take my sedan handle back, then I'll work on doing this. Otherwise, Ive had too many snags, roadblocks and "signs I shouldnt be doing this" to go any further, lol.