SuMeRiaN

Need some suggestions on how to proceed here.

One side is completely missing, the other side can be pop'd off with even the smallest amount of force. I need to order one and secure the other. Looking for some suggestions.



Thanks in advance to this great community.

SuM

nfnsquared

There's a TSB for this. If your car falls under the year/vin# in the TSB, shouldn't cost you a cent and dealer should reimburse you for any parts you have paid for so far. If not, then I'd push for a goodwill from the dealer. If no go on that, then be sure you buy a new base as well as the cover.

http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/B07-043.PDF

SouthernBoy

Or you can fix it yourself since it is quite simple.

SuMeRiaN

Thank you all for the quick replies. Will check the VIN tonight and order both the base and cap if I do this myself.

SuMeRiaN

$52.00 shipped to my house UPS from the dealership. They wanted $119.00 todo the work and parts. I ordered both right and left replacements. The kit as the bulletin states includes both the base and the cap.

nfnsquared

If you are having to do this yourself, cancel that order and order direct from an Acura online parts dealer or call one of the Azine vendors. Should only cost you $32 shipped for both ($8.95 each, plus shipping):

http://www.acurapartswarehouse.com/o...2184-SEP-A01ZJ

Will Y.

Sierra Acura in Alhambra, CA charges about $17 for each cap + base set, which IIRC is slightly on the high side.

RyanCHICL

iTrader: (1)

Three of the four came off on my car and I just super glued them back on. They won't be coming off anytime soon.

SuMeRiaN

I have the factory part and no instructions. Can someone tell me how these go on?

nfnsquared

Doesn't anyone search or use the 3G Garage anymore? The scans you'll need are posted in the Garage: F-16...It's a PITA to replace the back plate. You have to remove the door panel....which is why you should have let the dealer do it under warranty or goodwill for the TSB....

LoveMyTL-S

The dealer should goodwill this. What a cheap skate.

SuMeRiaN

I am outside of warranty, I did not make an issue of it. Assumed this would be easy. Where is the Garage: F-16 ?

nfnsquared

There is a "sticky" post in the main forum and a "sticky" post in this (Problem) forum that will take you to the Garage....

SuMeRiaN

Still do not see anything that would assist in removing this door panels and installing the replacement caps.

nfnsquared

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-garage-faq-3g-tl-newbies-553554/

F-16

SouthernBoy

Although the part comes with the pot metal inner door piece, you do not need to use this. All you need is the cover.

You do not need to remove the door panels for this fix. It only takes a few minutes and the only tool you'll want to have handy is a small straight blade screwdriver. The cover has two little "tabs" with hooks, as I recall, that fit under the fixed part of the handle which you'll have to "lift" a little as you push the tabs into place. You should hear a little click as you do this. If you don't, the hooks on the tabs did not engage their points on the handle and the cover will fall off.

nfnsquared

FYI, the TSB says both need to be replaced due to a fitment issue.

Will Y.

This was true in my TL's case, as my rear left door cap broke a couple of months ago. I only needed the screwdriver on my Swiss army knife to push and position the base so the new cap's front tab could snap into position.

OP should check to see if the plastic tabs on his handle caps broke/cracked (as with mine) or if they are intact. The TSB does mention that the base is bad on some TLs, so if OP's handle caps are intact, OP will have to change out the base by disassembling the door panel.

SuMeRiaN

Thanks everyone for your help. Using a small screwdriver to hold the door handle out and another screwdriver to pry the metal back ever so slightly out I was able to snap both pieces into play. My 4 door family sedan is rocking once again.

abracing

Same thing happened to my 07tl s. It was the rear driver side cap that was loose. I had it done under warranty as the car only has 32k on it. I saw the guy pull of the panel and replaced the cap.

j14h

I replaced the left rear door one on 05tl back in 08'. The dealer said there's no warranty coverage for this small thing. With this TSB, can I go back to ask for refund with the receipt? Just don't like to be fooled even though it's only < $20.

nfnsquared

Heck, I would. And I'd also file a complaint with ACS so that they know this dealer did this. You're likely not the only one they've done this too. In addition, the dealer could be double dealing Acura by billing them for the parts and labor for the TSB while also collecting from you. Get it on record with ACS and then go to the dealer to get your money back. Let us know what happens.

leo221

ordered the cap from acuraoemparts. the part came with metal case. pulled the plastic part off the base, snaped onto the base on car's handle. everything seems to be good. to make sure, tipped a little super glue to the two contacting points.

EagleEye

@Summerian - you got away lucky. When I bought mine, the cover came off during a test drive (must have been the stripped section causing excessive vibration). The dealer ordered a new piece - base and cover for me. However, I didn't trust them to put it on (shady people - but good car). So, I picked it up and put it on myself. I tried just replacing the cover but realized that the old base does't provide enough of a ridge to securely hold the cover in place. Kind of like it was worn down. So, I disassembled the entire door panel and put in the new base as well.

It wasn't hard you just need to be patient.

Grab yourself a service manual for these sorts of repair. It makes things a lot easier if you know exactly what screws to take apart and how the parts fit together.

Superglue - I was tempted - but didn't think it would last too long given that the base seems to be that particular metal composite where superglue doesn't stick to well.

Sayaosa

same thing happen to mines when i bought the car. took the car home and the next day one was missing and the other one is loose like yours. took it to the dealer and they checked the vin and ordered new ones.

SuMeRiaN

I have a service manual now and have been using it. I regret even calling the dealership since I knew they would not gift this to me. I should of bought oem part online and saved $$$$.

Marlon

today both of my passenger side door caps came off, i was lucky it was at home. so I searched and did check the garage f16 but i think that the hooks are broken therefore unable to snap in place. tempted to use some sort of glue.....

EagleEye

I was tempted, too. But it won't last due to the constant vibration of opening and closing. Unless you use some sort of cement - maybe.

Get a new one :-) Door panels are pretty easy to take apart and do. You have to replace the metal piece on the door side that the cap hooks onto as a whole unit.

lucnex

iTrader: (3)

Same thing happened to me....I just snapped the new cover over the base. My old cover tab just snapped....seems a little unnecessary to take apart the entire door when you can snap it back into place. Hell, even put a little glue on there and its not gonna go anywhere.

AndrewA

iTrader: (3)

When I replaced mine, I just added a few drops of epoxy to secure it in place.

Will Y.

Just get new caps and pop them on without changing the base unless there is a visual difference between the old and new base pieces.
It sounds like you had a TL with one of the defective bases per the TSB.
However, those whose TLs have the "hook" or locking tab on the cap break over time can just replace the cap without having to change out the base.

PyroPaul

Anyone have a part number for just the cap? I have an 04 Anthracite and having a hard time making sure telling if I'm about to buy the right thing.

AndrewA

iTrader: (3)

well my epoxy trick did nothing for me. i just ordered a new one and i'll be replacing the base along with the cap this time ;(

PyroPaul, the number for my NBP cover, including the base is 72684-SEP-A01ZB. I ordered from Acurapartswarehouse.com for $9.18. If you go to their website and enter your VIN, and look under Body-Rear Door Locks-Outer Handle, you'll find the part you need. Your color code is A01ZF. So if you lost your driver side rear door cap, your part number is 72684-SEP-A01ZF

Will Y.

Just call the Acura dealer parts dept. in Fairfield if you prefer to pick up the part-- you won't need the part number since the parts worker will look it up, and it should have the caps in stock, at least for AM. You can then make sure the cap is the correct color at that time.
The dealership price + tax is about the same as mail order + shipping, without accounting for gas and time to drive there.

PyroPaul

Thanks AndrewA and Will Y. I really appreciate the help. I've been driving around with this eye sore for a while and ready to be done and over with it.

PyroPaul

UPDATE: Called dealer in Fairfield, they have the part in stock for $15. Going down now to pick it up. Probably worth the extra money to not have to hassle with ordering online and I'll get it today. Thanks again!!

ohsixMTee

iTrader: (2)

Haha, the 06 I just bought is missing it's passenger rear cap as well. I stopped by Acura today to make an appointment to change a few steering wheel light bulbs and they're installing it for free at that time. The cap was just over $13.

lowbudgetTL

iTrader: (1)

just noticed my P-Side rear door handle "rear piece " is missing...

ohsixMTee

iTrader: (2)

Don't sweat it, cheap and easy fix.

mikedog4

iTrader: (1)

The new cap will not fit the original base very well. It will fit but not "snap" into place. I replaced all 4 of mine, base plate as well. The front doors are a lot easier however. I also replaced 2 of the door handle gaskets cause they were cracked. Removing the outer handle was a pain.