Driver's door latch electric operator question.

[JohnHeller]

We're having a problem with the driver's door electric actuator and since so far I've failed to fix it, I thought I'd ask for some help...

If the car is locked (both doors and hatch), pressing the remote transmitter (we have two, same for both) causes the doors and hatch to make electrical noises, but does not unlock anything. (the lights flash and the horn beeps on the second attempt, in other words the car seems to hear the transmitter fine and reacts to it)

If the driver's door it physically unlocked, then the transmitter works correctly and the passenger lock and hatch release.

The chrome central lock button inside the driver's door also works to unlock the other locks.

All fuses are OK, car has over 180,000 mi.

I figured the driver's door operator was faulty and at $34 from Honda, it seemed worth trying. We got the door panel off easy enough, but could never get the operator out of the door. There's a vertical rod with a little thread at the top that engages the outside latch we could never get loose.

Since the door panel was open, I tried plugging the new operator into the harness and sure enough it worked, BUT we had the door swung open and therefore the driver's lock was open, it wasn't until after it was all back together we realised the lock position makes a difference.

So assuming anyone is still following all this

1) Anyone agree that it's probably the operator?
2) Anyone know how to get that vertical rod loose so I can remove the operator? (special Honda only tool?, break the rivet at the bottom of the rod?)

Thanks,

-John

[Insightful Trekker]

Seems you did the definative test. Plug in a known good lock actuator.

On some Honda models the power door lock actuator can be installed with the door latch still on the car. But engaging its lever to the latch can be almost impossible. If I'm reading your description correctly your trying to remove the entire latch assembly for replacement of the lock actuator sub-component. And your having difficulty removing the outside door release handle link rod.

If your gonna try to be a mechanic then you'll need to study the textbook. P.g. 20-6 of the Insight Factory Service manual details the process. IIRC there's a FSM and ETM on eBay right now going relatively cheap (caveat emptor).

By the "book":

Use a pair of side cutters as a double sided wedge and "cut" (figure of speech) the link rod at the outside handle. This should lever the link rod joint out of its bushing (DON'T cut metal or plastic). And the bushing almost always needs replacement. Its locking shoulders get rounded. While it may appear to reinstall tightly expect future failure (link rod pops out, outside door handle won't open the door). But what's most hazardous is any unintended load on the handle itself. As plastic ages it becomes more brittle. It's easy to oops when applying the required force and then an entire outside handle is needed

But there's another less hazardous approach:

Remove the outside door handle, 2-10mm hex head screws on the inside of the door panel. Release the key lock link rod (easier, brittle plastic warnings still apply) then twirl the handle assembly to un-thread the latch release rod (count the turns, it needs to be reassembled at close to the same installed length). Use _great_ care to insure you don't scratch the paint. Masking tape in the area is good insurance against minor scrapes and bumps during the process.

HTH!

[JohnHeller]

Thanks John, your second method is the sort I like, not the official way, but the one that comes with experience.

I bought the manual, read it, then forgot to bring it along when I took the car over to my buddy's when we did the work. Doh!

We'll give it another try,

Thanks,
-John

[ikhoudvanu199]

i had a bit of troube understanding exactly what you tried...could be cause im tired

but i know that alot of hondas, the insight included...have a feature on the drivers side door that does not allow it to lock or unlock when the door is open without pulling the inside handle out

i dont know if you knew this or not, but it might be worth a try, before you buy anything else

[Insightful Trekker]

Originally Posted by JohnHeller

We'll give it another try,

Thanks,
-John

Well I haven't tried it on an Insight, so unfortunately there might be some differences. Sorry, you'll just have to look when your in there.

Sincerely,