Broken Door Handle

[dragoncar]

Hey, I know this isn't exactly a car forum, but it seems like there are a lot of knowledgable people here.  My interior door handle stopped working, and it looks like the cable detached from the handle.  I'm not entirely sure how to fix it, because I don't know what it's supposed to look like (don't really want to risk screwing up another handle).  Below is a picture.  I already tried sticking the cable strands on the left into the little locking sleeve on the right (the metal part clicks into the plastic sleeve), but it didn't hold strongly enough when I pulled the handle.  Any advice before I head over to somewhere like driveaccord.net?



edit: looking more closely at this picture, it seems like I'll need to entirely replace the cable, since it looks like it was originally attached to the metal bit.  I do not look forward to removing my door panel -- I love opening stuff up, but I always end up breaking/losing some clip and introducing a new rattle, etc.  I also just had to replace my blower motor transistor/resistor... after 11 years, a lot of age-related issues are starting to pop up at once.

Yeah looks like it's broken, found a video of door handle replacement here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OHtTza3Ob0

I guess there's nothing to see here unless anyone has tips on removing the door panel or replacing the cable without having to open up my door.

[zolotiyeruki]

Popping off the door panel is actually pretty easy--it's just a bunch of plastic clips around the edge.  If you're brave, you can do it with your bare hands, or you can use a screwdriver to pry the panel at each plastic clip.  Make sure you remove any screws that might hold the panel to the door frame--they can be in the grip that you use to close the door, the handle for opening the door (which you've already removed), and also behind the speaker grill closer to the floor.

Once you've removed the panel, it should be easy to access the cable to replace it.  Alternatively, if you're feeling slightly adventurous, take out the whole cable, insert the cable strands into the sleeve, and whack the sleeve a few times with a hammer to crimp the wire inside it.  Then put the whole thing back together, and hope you don't have any extra parts :)

[Greg]

It looks like the cable bent and broke right where it entered pot metal end bit.  A new cable is the right idea.

Unless you know some Borrowers, you'll have to remove the door panel.  Get the repair manual and follow the instructions for removing your panel.  Once you do ti once you'll see it's usually not too hard.  It will also allow you to check the door cavity for debris and check the drains to make sure they're clear.  Use white lithium grease to lube the moving parts.

[dragoncar]

Thanks guys, USPS says my part arrived today.  I plan to follow these instructions (well, sort of).  Looks like a royal pain:

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=27978
http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=71178

[dragoncar]

Just going through my old posts, trying to find a specific one, and updating the stale ones.  I installed this part and it was actually pretty easy.  My spendypants neighbor (who just bout a Tesla) was impressed.