Great car so far but a few minor things have me concerned. Since last winter the keyless entry on the drivers door does not unlock the door. I can unlock and lock the door via the key fob. I can lock the door by placing my finger near the dimple but it will not unlock by placing my hand under the door handle. I've read that the actuator might solve this but the fact that the door locks via keyless but doesn't unlock is why I'm asking for help before trying to fix.

Second issue is that the passenger hid headlamp has occasionally flickered and twice in the past year went completely while driving, not good. The headlight in question came back on both times after turning off the car for a few minutes so I'm not sure where to start in determining the problem.

 

First problem is likely the door handle needing replacement from what I have read here on the forums, not sure as I have not had this problem yet. The second sounds like just a set of bulbs. I had the exact same symptoms. Many here say you can do it yourself, peel back the fender liner. I tried, and there was a huge intake snorkle in the way. I could not do it. Had to pay my shop to remove the bumper cover and headlights to install them for me. Now they light bright with no flickers. Just make sure you get genuine bulbs. This is too big a job to go cheap on the bulbs. I paid $80 for my bulbs on Amazon. And do the high beams while you're at it, although high beams only required battery removal on my '05. But plain halogens are cheap and long lasting.

 

Agree you probably need a new handle to fix the unlock issue.

For your headlights it could be the bulb or ballast. Chances are it's the bulb. The passenger side does not have the intake tube like the driver's side does. If you want to isolate the issue befor commiting to $$$ for a fix, you can swap the bulbs and see if the problem follows the bulb or stays on one side. However, the work involved may warrant an educated risk instead.

 

Thanks for the answers, this is valuable information. Since it's an intermittent issue I'll swap the bulbs.

Can anyone recommend a supplier for the door handle? Does the handle have to be painted to match the door or is the oem part available in stock colors (in this case pearl white)?

 

The part comes painted. OEMAcuraparts is a vendor here. Their online parts manager, Tim, is a member and always willing to help you get the right part. I belive his username is oemacurapartstim.

 

+1 for Tim. Dude is legit, gave me a good price and made sure it came on time since I as in a time crunch.

 

i've had some issues in the past with my RL, the keyless entry/exit via handle would work and wouldn't. i noticed it would act up when it is very cold. i suspect that might play a role in the handle acting up. but after warming up its ok. also just a suggestion, might be a pain in the ass but has anyone tried to unplug the batt and let the car "reset"?

 

If it is a locking issue that happens with fob, lock switch, or door handles, it's your lock actuator. Not saying cold weather wouldn't affect the handle, but it could be the actuator too.

 

The fob unlocks the door fine, it's isolated to the handle. The light in the handle no longer works so I'm thinking the handle needs to be replaced.

 

The sensor on the RL, especially the pre-MMC is very sensitive. When I wash my car I try to avoid spraying too much water over the driver's door handle as it will act up (won't lock when touching sensor) until a few days later when it dries out. I would avoid hand washing your car with your key fob in your pocket as it can overheat the door handle causing all kinds of problems.

 

I’m having similar problem widow won’t roll down I hear the switch clicking. Maybe actuator or motor?

 

If you have a 12V power source, I'd test out the motor. If it goes up and down you know it's either wiring or the switch.