How to fix Tesla Door Handles

On a mission to please his wife Car Guru shows you how to fix those faulty tesla door handles.

Thank you to camera man 1: Ev tuning solutions

Door handle repair kit located here

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[Aikaramba]

These videos are so much funnier than other car videos. I love your humour! Greetings from Norway :-)

[sdcheshire]

Thanks for posting this video. Following your instructions I fixed my broken Model S door handle in a couple of hours, and saved myself paying Tesla $550 + labor. I bought the microswitch kit from EV Tuning but didn’t even need it. I simply cut the wire at the break, stripped a bit of insulation each side, bridged the gap with about 2 inches of stranded wire (to give a bit more slack for the constant movement), covered the solder joints with a bit of heatshrink tube to insulate them, and put it all back together. If it breaks again I’ll do the full microswitch swap next time.

[joewilder]

I'm amazed how much you know about these things. I would think you would have had to messed with them for years to accumulate that much information. Good video.

[beezy]

You gotta think years from now, kids buying $2000 dollar Tesla will look at these diy videos.

[Dithermaster]

That's about how I did mine. I didn't have a replacement harness so I trimmed the broken wire and re-soldered it to the microswitch. For the centering of the door handle I used toothpicks to equalize the spacing while I tightened the nuts. If your 10mm wrench doesn't fit from the top, buy a "slim" version at the hardware store. I didn't know about the trick to make the window higher (but if you do that make sure to lower it before closing the door). I've also heard you can use a bladder tool to spread the internals apart a little to make more clearance for getting at the nut and getting out the handle. It took me about 1.5 hours to get my first (and so far only) handle out, 15 minutes to fix the wire, and 3-45 minutes to button it all back up. Still, less than than driving to my nearest service center and back.

[TINMANONE]

Rich! I spent $6 dollars on a better built replacement part + 6 hours on the project. You saved me so much money by not having to take it to Tesla, plus I get the satisfaction of doing it myself and now I can replace the others 3 doors gears no problem. Thank you!!!!

[Analkalle]

Dude your channel ist awesome and you're funny as hell. Don't even have a drivers license but I love to watch your videos.

[gbw]

I don’t even own a Tesla but here I am watching the door handle to one being fixed. There is something about watching people repair and build things that is intriguing and somewhat motivating.

[ericdodson]

Thank you Rich, my wife and I just got done fixing the gear in our passenger side handle (we replaced the wire too just got good measure) and if it wasn't for your video we would have had to take it to Tesla to get fixed.

I love your sarcasm and humor, thanks again for all the hard work you do.

[BertRedd]

It may help to add some sort of silicone where the wire meets the plastic to help prevent future corrosion.

[GerardBurkeBurkesGarage]

I follow your channel for the great info on Tesla's and I learn a lot with each stripdown/repair on them, you have a great channel that also cracks me up. I think your sarcasm is the most important part of your channel though, pure quality :)

[thomasjameson]

Just paid $300-something to fix a handle through Tesla and my 2nd one just went out. Doing it myself this time and this video is invaluable. Thank you my dude for empowering others 💪

[dioburtophoto]

It's 2021 - watching these super old episodes shows the creative genius behind the new episodes - the transition of ideas is almost seamless - to have this happen naturally or via a script - still kudos

[pietervanhoorn]

Thanks rich my dads 2013 model s had 2 of them fail in 1 week so he needed to get in his car from the rear seats but I fixed both of them in 4 hours

[jerradcampbell]

After this episode, CarGuru finally gets laid. ;)

[ho_dug]

Thanks you Rich! I had a bad squeak and didn't have to remove the handle, just loosened it, re-centered it, and re-tightened. Under an hour total and FIXED way less time than going to service center.

[tbird]

Admiring your skills. I'm way to old school for that much extra work to fix a door handle.

[roland]

Super appreciate how you showed us what was wrong with the door handle. great vid.

[gregcalo]

very praiseworthy that you tell hopefuls the potential troubles and costs with Tesla. They are a ticking timebomb. Those who fail to heed what you say will ultimately pay heartily

[dogphlap]

I've done this repair a couple of times and Tesla did it once i.e. they replaced the whole mech with a new and improved one when it failed under warranty (for some reason it was always the driver's door).
I've not heard of anyone drilling those holes for better access to the micro switch screws, excellent idea. Thanks.