DIY Front Door Handle Removal - Page 2

**8thgenuser** · 03-07-2006, 12:29 AM

That IS pretty sweet. Thanks for your great DIYs.

One question, tho. What if you valet your car? You can't give 'em the valet key 'cause if they lock the door (I guess from the inside, or maybe you have a supplemental alarm that automatically locks your doors for you after an amount of time has passed) the valet attendant won't be able to get into your car.

You'd have to give them your regular remote key, which I'm sure most people do anyway. Also, if you're driving in a Civic, you probably don't have the cash to be valeting all the time anyway. I know I won't be...not because I don't have the cash...I'm just a cheap-ass SOB.

If you're club hopping in Los Angeles, though, sometimes the best you can do, in terms of finding parking, is to valet your ride.

Great idea about keeping an extra battery and small screwdriver in the spare tire tray.

I think I'll get on board and join the shaven keyhole look anyhow.

Actually, this is also a great security feature. Without a keyhole to pop off, a thief would be that much more deterred. I wonder if my insurance agent will decrease my premiums with this mod. :rolleyes:

**CameronJr9** · 03-07-2006, 07:21 AM

Ha! I never thought about the valet thing. I've never gotten valet parking anyway. I don't trust those little punks with my ride.

**8thgenuser** · 03-07-2006, 12:14 PM

One other thing you could do if you lock yourself out and don't have that extra battery in your trunk is to release the folding rear seats from the trunk and just climb in!

**CameronJr9** · 03-07-2006, 12:26 PM

^ You could do that, but your imobilizer would activate, since you never unlocked your doors from the outside. That's why I threw the battery in the trunk. Safety first!

**8thgenuser** · 03-07-2006, 02:10 PM

So the passenger front and both rear doors are physically the same part, but they have different part numbers?

Yup, didn't think about the immobilizer. You did think of just about everything! I wonder if someone could come up with an ingeniously simple way for that keyless cover to slide away to reveal the keyhole.

**CameronJr9** · 03-07-2006, 02:32 PM

The front and rear driver's side handles are different parts. One has a hole for the lock, the other doesn't, hence the different part numbers. But...they both fit the front door. You just have to shave a bit of the interior of the back door handle for it to fit over the lock (all explained in the DIY).

As far as sliding the handle or revealing the keyhole, given the setup of the handle, I doubt it. Someone with an engineering degree instead of a journalism degree might have better luck though. It's something to fantisize about, at least.

**CameronJr9** · 03-07-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8thgenuser

I wonder if someone could come up with an ingeniously simple way for that keyless cover to slide away to reveal the keyhole.

I checked this out, just for $#!+$ and giggles. Not gonna happen unless someone wants to rebuild the part. There's nothing there to slide. Good idea though. Sorry to disappoint.

**8thgenuser** · 03-07-2006, 08:23 PM

Patience, my friend, patience. The idea is out there. Someone with the will and determination will make it work and post a DIY with lots of pictures and a movie of the sliding cover. *keeping fingers crossed*

A hinge could work, too, but I imagine that would require welding the hinge onto the door. Not every at-home DIYer has a welder readily available. I suppose you can go ghetto and use super glue.

**CameronJr9** · 03-07-2006, 08:30 PM

^ Well then, it's a challenge. Honestly, I think it's WAY more work, time, and money to make it slide. But hey, if someone does it, they can make several and sell them to all the Si owners with no trunk keyhole. It's a thought.

imported_palindrome · 03-07-2006, 09:04 PM

CameronJr9,
Because you are the master of modifications, what do you think about installing a sunroof control/map light assembly from a coupe into the sedan? I'd really like to have the ambient lighting that you get with the coupe.
Thanks.

**CameronJr9** · 03-07-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palindrome

CameronJr9,
Because you are the master of modifications, what do you think about installing a sunroof control/map light assembly from a coupe into the sedan? I'd really like to have the ambient lighting that you get with the coupe.
Thanks.

Wow. I don't know about master of mods, but thanks. I'll look into it and get back to you. In the mean time, anyone know anything about this?

**CameronJr9** · 03-07-2006, 10:01 PM

Since I started the thread, I'll hijack it.

First, check out this picture. It looks like you'll need part #14. Unfortunately, part #14 isn't available. Just so you know I'm not lying, check out this site.

So, on pure speculation, I'd say that if you could order part #14, then you'd be on your way. I'd guess that it would cost roughly $35.

Another thing that might be cheaper is to remove the assembly, take a small drill bit and drill out the small indention. Wire up a cheap LED you can find virtually anywhere on eBay, and you'll be set.

joonoo · 03-08-2006, 06:24 AM

I was checking on this post for a while but never said anything, but I guess I'll say it today. About this mod, who's gonna notice other than you? If you take a picture from 5 ft. away showing your vehicle, this mod wouldn't be noticed at all. It's less than 1/2 inch in diameter...

I'm just saying nobody would notice about the keyhole mod really. I'm just wondering what the point is when you know you have the keyhole hided when other people doesn't even know what happened and all you benefit from is worrying about your remote dying...

I'm not complaining/flaming or anything. I'm just saying what you'd get from this mod is that yourself saying to yourself "Now, I don't have the keyhole on my door anymore!!!" but nothing more than that.

**CameronJr9** · 03-08-2006, 06:58 AM

Joonoo, to answer you honestly...I have no idea! There is no point. I just wanted that clean look. I guess you could say the same thing about the turn signal mirrors. Unless you know about the new Civics, no one on the road is going to go, "Oh, hey! Look at that. He's not driving a hybrid, but he does have signal mirrors. Check that out!!" You could argue your point about any mod. It was just something to do.

**8thgenuser** · 03-08-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joonoo

I was checking on this post for a while but never said anything, but I guess I'll say it today. About this mod, who's gonna notice other than you? If you take a picture from 5 ft. away showing your vehicle, this mod wouldn't be noticed at all. It's less than 1/2 inch in diameter...

I'm just saying nobody would notice about the keyhole mod really. I'm just wondering what the point is when you know you have the keyhole hided when other people doesn't even know what happened and all you benefit from is worrying about your remote dying...

I'm not complaining/flaming or anything. I'm just saying what you'd get from this mod is that yourself saying to yourself "Now, I don't have the keyhole on my door anymore!!!" but nothing more than that.

It's all in the eye of the beholder. What you say is true for any modification. Plus, you do have additional benefits other than just the way it looks. Like I said in a previous post, a theif couldn't pop your lock out if there's no keyhole to pop. And you get the added aerodynamics of having that keyhole cover being a smooth surface.

Just think of all that fuel efficiency you'll get out of it! People add superficial stuff to their cars all the time without them having any added benefit.

Cameron just likes to mess around with his car and wants to prove to no one other than himself that it is possible. He unselfishly and graciously provided pictures and a great how-to for those who might be interested in the same modification.

imported_palindrome · 03-08-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CameronJr9

Since I started the thread, I'll hijack it.

First, check out this picture. It looks like you'll need part #14. Unfortunately, part #14 isn't available. Just so you know I'm not lying, check out this site.

So, on pure speculation, I'd say that if you could order part #14, then you'd be on your way. I'd guess that it would cost roughly $35.

Another thing that might be cheaper is to remove the assembly, take a small drill bit and drill out the small indention. Wire up a cheap LED you can find virtually anywhere on eBay, and you'll be set.

Thanks for the information. It looks like I may actually need the #15 assembly that includes the electrical connector (#17). Your other idea is good too. Maybe I'll remove the whole assembly and see how feasible it looks.

I drove an Accord EX rental a few months ago that had an amber LED downlight in the sunroof control panel. I found it very useful at night to be able to see the drink holders.

Affect · 03-08-2006, 08:58 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when people are saying "what do you do if your battery dies" I don't think they are referring to the remote battery, but the car battery. How are you going to get inside your car to pop the hood if your car battery dies?

imported_palindrome · 03-08-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Affect

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when people are saying "what do you do if your battery dies" I don't think they are referring to the remote battery, but the car battery. How are you going to get inside your car to pop the hood if your car battery dies?

The sedan has a physical key hole in the trunk. He uses the physical key to open the trunk from the outside. Then, fold down the rear seat backs. Then climb into the front. Then activate the hood lever or open the driver's door.

I think the coupe lacks the exterior key hole for the trunk so this plan doesn't work there.

**CameronJr9** · 03-08-2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Affect

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when people are saying "what do you do if your battery dies" I don't think they are referring to the remote battery, but the car battery. How are you going to get inside your car to pop the hood if your car battery dies?

What are people going to do that drive manuals when they break one of their legs or arms in a freak snowboarding accident? There's only so much planning one can do. Thanks for your concern though.

I figure in the event that my battery dies, I'll have to call AAA to come jump it. I don't have any jumper cables in my car. Maybe I should do something about THAT! Honestly? I'd use my key to unlock the trunk. Once in the trunk, I'll push down the rear seats, climb into the front of the car, and pop the hood. So on and so forth. You get the picture.

**CameronJr9** · 03-08-2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palindrome

Thanks for the information. It looks like I may actually need the #15 assembly that includes the electrical connector (#17). Your other idea is good too. Maybe I'll remove the whole assembly and see how feasible it looks.

#17 = Navigation Microphone.

03-07-2006, 12:29 AM	#21 (permalink)
8thgenuser Webby's Minion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,069 Nikon Squad Member #8 iTrader: 1 / 100%	That IS pretty sweet. Thanks for your great DIYs. One question, tho. What if you valet your car? You can't give 'em the valet key 'cause if they lock the door (I guess from the inside, or maybe you have a supplemental alarm that automatically locks your doors for you after an amount of time has passed) the valet attendant won't be able to get into your car. You'd have to give them your regular remote key, which I'm sure most people do anyway. Also, if you're driving in a Civic, you probably don't have the cash to be valeting all the time anyway. I know I won't be...not because I don't have the cash...I'm just a cheap-ass SOB. If you're club hopping in Los Angeles, though, sometimes the best you can do, in terms of finding parking, is to valet your ride. Great idea about keeping an extra battery and small screwdriver in the spare tire tray. I think I'll get on board and join the shaven keyhole look anyhow. Actually, this is also a great security feature. Without a keyhole to pop off, a thief would be that much more deterred. I wonder if my insurance agent will decrease my premiums with this mod. :rolleyes: __________________ Next NorCal Meet - North Bay - 8 t h g e n u s e r -

03-07-2006, 07:21 AM	#22 (permalink)
CameronJr9 Crazy Yellow Puppet Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Age: 28 Posts: 25,137 Back and Forth Forever iTrader: 6 / 100%	Ha! I never thought about the valet thing. I've never gotten valet parking anyway. I don't trust those little punks with my ride. __________________

03-07-2006, 12:14 PM	#23 (permalink)
8thgenuser Webby's Minion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,069 Nikon Squad Member #8 iTrader: 1 / 100%	One other thing you could do if you lock yourself out and don't have that extra battery in your trunk is to release the folding rear seats from the trunk and just climb in! __________________ Next NorCal Meet - North Bay - 8 t h g e n u s e r -

03-07-2006, 12:26 PM	#24 (permalink)
CameronJr9 Crazy Yellow Puppet Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Age: 28 Posts: 25,137 Back and Forth Forever iTrader: 6 / 100%	^ You could do that, but your imobilizer would activate, since you never unlocked your doors from the outside. That's why I threw the battery in the trunk. Safety first! __________________

03-07-2006, 02:10 PM	#25 (permalink)
8thgenuser Webby's Minion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,069 Nikon Squad Member #8 iTrader: 1 / 100%	So the passenger front and both rear doors are physically the same part, but they have different part numbers? Yup, didn't think about the immobilizer. You did think of just about everything! I wonder if someone could come up with an ingeniously simple way for that keyless cover to slide away to reveal the keyhole. __________________ Next NorCal Meet - North Bay - 8 t h g e n u s e r -

03-07-2006, 02:32 PM	#26 (permalink)
CameronJr9 Crazy Yellow Puppet Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Age: 28 Posts: 25,137 Back and Forth Forever iTrader: 6 / 100%	The front and rear driver's side handles are different parts. One has a hole for the lock, the other doesn't, hence the different part numbers. But...they both fit the front door. You just have to shave a bit of the interior of the back door handle for it to fit over the lock (all explained in the DIY). As far as sliding the handle or revealing the keyhole, given the setup of the handle, I doubt it. Someone with an engineering degree instead of a journalism degree might have better luck though. It's something to fantisize about, at least. __________________

03-07-2006, 08:23 PM	#28 (permalink)
8thgenuser Webby's Minion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,069 Nikon Squad Member #8 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Patience, my friend, patience. The idea is out there. Someone with the will and determination will make it work and post a DIY with lots of pictures and a movie of the sliding cover. keeping fingers crossed A hinge could work, too, but I imagine that would require welding the hinge onto the door. Not every at-home DIYer has a welder readily available. I suppose you can go ghetto and use super glue. __________________ Next NorCal Meet - North Bay - 8 t h g e n u s e r -

03-07-2006, 08:30 PM	#29 (permalink)
CameronJr9 Crazy Yellow Puppet Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Age: 28 Posts: 25,137 Back and Forth Forever iTrader: 6 / 100%	^ Well then, it's a challenge. Honestly, I think it's WAY more work, time, and money to make it slide. But hey, if someone does it, they can make several and sell them to all the Si owners with no trunk keyhole. It's a thought. __________________

03-07-2006, 09:04 PM	#30 (permalink)
imported_palindrome Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dallas Texas Age: 46 Posts: 99 iTrader: 0 / 0%	CameronJr9, Because you are the master of modifications, what do you think about installing a sunroof control/map light assembly from a coupe into the sedan? I'd really like to have the ambient lighting that you get with the coupe. Thanks.

03-07-2006, 10:01 PM	#32 (permalink)
CameronJr9 Crazy Yellow Puppet Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Age: 28 Posts: 25,137 Back and Forth Forever iTrader: 6 / 100%	Since I started the thread, I'll hijack it. First, check out this picture. It looks like you'll need part #14. Unfortunately, part #14 isn't available. Just so you know I'm not lying, check out this site. So, on pure speculation, I'd say that if you could order part #14, then you'd be on your way. I'd guess that it would cost roughly $35. Another thing that might be cheaper is to remove the assembly, take a small drill bit and drill out the small indention. Wire up a cheap LED you can find virtually anywhere on eBay, and you'll be set. __________________

03-08-2006, 06:24 AM	#33 (permalink)
joonoo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Age: 24 Posts: 266 David iTrader: 0 / 0%	I was checking on this post for a while but never said anything, but I guess I'll say it today. About this mod, who's gonna notice other than you? If you take a picture from 5 ft. away showing your vehicle, this mod wouldn't be noticed at all. It's less than 1/2 inch in diameter... I'm just saying nobody would notice about the keyhole mod really. I'm just wondering what the point is when you know you have the keyhole hided when other people doesn't even know what happened and all you benefit from is worrying about your remote dying... I'm not complaining/flaming or anything. I'm just saying what you'd get from this mod is that yourself saying to yourself "Now, I don't have the keyhole on my door anymore!!!" but nothing more than that.

03-08-2006, 06:58 AM	#34 (permalink)
CameronJr9 Crazy Yellow Puppet Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Age: 28 Posts: 25,137 Back and Forth Forever iTrader: 6 / 100%	Joonoo, to answer you honestly...I have no idea! There is no point. I just wanted that clean look. I guess you could say the same thing about the turn signal mirrors. Unless you know about the new Civics, no one on the road is going to go, "Oh, hey! Look at that. He's not driving a hybrid, but he does have signal mirrors. Check that out!!" You could argue your point about any mod. It was just something to do. __________________

03-08-2006, 08:58 PM	#37 (permalink)
Affect Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 26 Posts: 43 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Correct me if I'm wrong, but when people are saying "what do you do if your battery dies" I don't think they are referring to the remote battery, but the car battery. How are you going to get inside your car to pop the hood if your car battery dies?