Stop replacing the door tumblers in your Honda Element
There is a simple solution to the problem of Honda door locks failing. First thing is to stop spending the money to replace the tumblers time and time again.
The solution to failing Honda Element door locks is to simply install a remote entry system in your car. This way the crappy door tumbler are inconsequential. This is a very simple project and one that you can absolutely do yourself.
Fact is that I love my 2003 Honda Element. It fits my frame, still runs good and has been a solid vehicle. That all being said, there is one thing I HATE about it, and that is the door locks. Since we bought it from the dealer, I’ve replaced the driver’s side door lock twice and the passenger’s side once. Now neither of them work again.
Not wanting to spend a couple hundred dollars to replace them again, knowing that they would just fall apart again, I looked for a solution. The obvious answer was to install a remote entry system. I expected this to be expensive, but I was completely wrong.
After watching a video on it, I realized that the process was incredibly easy and after looking them up on Amazon, I realized that it was super affordable. Brand new OEM Honda Element remote entry systems run about $125. I found one that was used for $90. Note: Since I wrote this, I’ve found there is a better selection of them on eBay, most with free shipping.
It is super easy install a remote entry system in a Honda Element
Most things to install in a modern car are a bitch to do. Everything is tight, there is no room to work and it is always a fight. Installing a remote entry system in my Element was exactly the opposite of that. Here is the exact instructions for installing it.
- Remove the panel under the steering wheel by turning the locks and pulling out on the panel
- Locate the small orange plug on the left side of the dash.
- Using the provided 10mm bolt, attach the bracket that holds the system place. My element has an open bolt hole just sitting there.
- Plug the remote entry system in to the matching orange plug and slide it into the bracket. I added some tape for overkill purposes.
- Replace the panel under the steering wheel.
- Pair the remotes
- Celebrate
Yes, it is really that easy. My biggest challenge was that the panel I needed to remove didn’t want to come off on one side and I had to work on it a bit so as not to break it. Total time for this project was half an hour.
Pairing Honda Element remotes
After it was installed, the only thing left to do was pair the remotes. You can do this by following this procedure:
- Turn the ignition on to the II position
- Within 4 seconds press either the lock or unlock button
- Turn the ignition off
- Repeat this two more times
- Turn the ignition on to the II position
- Press the lock or unlock button. You should hear the module click, meaning the remotes are paired.
- Switch the ignition off and test your remotes.
Conclusion
The easy answer to failing Honda Element door locks is just to not do it. Adding a remote entry system is about as easy as any car project can get and completely affordable.
