cM3go

This morning I park my TL as always, far from the other cars in the lot at work, I glance back at my TL, notice the moon roof is open. I approach the car and notice the passenger side front door doesnt have a key hole. So as I'm goin to the driver's side, I realize, hmm... what if I bought another end cap, like the one on the driver's side rear door handle and put it on my driver's side front door handle so the key hole would be covered too. This prevents anyone tryin to pick your lock and even more so looks sleeker. I understand you would lose the ability to stick the key in the key hole and open or close your windows with the key, no biggie, just unlock the doors and do it from the inside (its not often I leave these things open). If you ever needed to use your keyhole, i.e. battery dead, You could easily pop off that end cap and use your key....

MikeyK

That is actually a cool idea - Where would you get the cap though? This may def be a mod I would consider doing

mr_superlove

Yeah, I like this idea as well. Keep us updated if you pursue it.

cM3go

actually, you could use the front passenger's side end cap just flip it (provided the handle is symmetrical horizontally, which i think it is)

I looked up the part on acuraautomotiveparts.org

here is the diagram


Part 32 is what you would need, and just flip it over basically and put it on the driver's side...

the end cap is $8.28 (kinda expensive considering the part) HOWEVER, it does come painted so I guess thats not asking that much...

cM3go

side note: I hope its not held in by some screw or something dumb like that cause then this would be a real damper on my mod idea... the diagram could be hiding that

cM3go

UPDATE: I went outside (yes I'm bored at work) and attempted to measure the end caps to the best of my ability. It seems that any of the endcaps will work, the handles all seem the same size so I guess it doesnt really matter which one you use. My guess would be to use the driver's side back door end cap (in case the cap is not symmetrical) and just use that. I think I'll take the plunge and try this. I'll let you guys know how it works out.

Also, I checked how its mounted, it seems when you open the handle, there is a tab you can pry to release the cap, so this is good news!

MikeyK

WOW easy mod and looks great - too good to be true!

Yea keep me posted - I would like to know if it works out well - Side note, where would i go to order the part? just my dealership?

cM3go

http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org/

cM3go

i just called these guys, they are a car dealer, so any car dealer would work

cM3go

I called my local dealer, ordered the part, $13.20 which is about the same as if i ordered it online considering shipping! Should be here tuesday, I should have an update on this next week

Mylriahd

Thanks for the great information!

MikeyK

Please update once installed - I would really like to do this if its not too difficult (I am not a wiz at doing this kinda stuff) - Also, does this piece just cover the key hole? or is it replacing more than that?

cM3go

just covers the keyhole, so if you look at your driver's side of the car, the door handle on the front door will look just like the door handle on the back door, i.e. no keyhole!

DeathtoToasters

nice idea...post pics when done and a DIY if youi don't mind.

JoganJani

However, if you ran out of batteries in you remote. How would you open the car? Or the Alarm went off how would you shut it. Sometimes you've to open the door by key to shut off the alarm.

cM3go

If the battery died you just need to pop off the cap and use your lock...

As for the alarm, you dont have to use the key to shut off the alarm, you can use the ignition for that

JoganJani

Thanks for clarifying. Since you posted the diagram, I thought you guys are talking about the getting an handle like passanger side without a key hole. My bad.

cM3go

nope, just changing out the cap!

Vffr1

I like it, I like it alot.

Michael

Xpditor

And then everything would match the trunk which has no key hole either. :lol2:

Cross your fingers that we don't get a dead battery - a common occurance I am told on this forum.

XP

automata

Did you find out if the caps are different for each door? Depending on your results, this will probably be my next mod.

cM3go

I forgot to verify it with him, but after lookin at them, and how they were listed online, it seems they are the same part for the other 3 doors, just to be safe, I ordered the driver's side rear cap...

rets

You have done the great effort to figure out this issue. I like to hide the key hole, but do worry about the emergency... :o

apwalsh

The first post mentioned that it would help to prevent someone from picking the lock. If you get a dead battery and you can just pop it off, what's to stop someone else from doing the same? Although, they might just bypass it and move to the next thinking the lock mechanism is totally removed.

Very good idea though, it will look clean and sharp it the cap fits correctly. Keep us updated!

cM3go

in most cases a theif will just break the window, thats why i said this is more for aesthetic purposes, and we own the car, so we're more familiar with how to remove things, for joe blow their, he's not gonna know how to pop the cap off, he's going to think the car is like that

RobMiller

You can open all the windows and roof by holding down the "unlock" button on the remote for a few seconds. Not sure about closing them up though.

apwalsh

To close them after you have to turn the key in the lock position twice and hold it there the second time

Xpditor

Let me remind you that, should you cover your key hole in the driver's door, you will render your Valet Key useless. You will have to give a valet parker your key fob which means he will have access to your jockey box and trunk (and, probably your house keys also).

XP

cM3go

UPDATE: IT WORKS!!!!!!!!

Took literally 10 seconds to change out.... I don't have a before pic really, cause the second I got home with the part from the dealer I put it on... I took the pic of the key hole part, its the same thing, but of course its covered like the rest... all you do is pop the lil tab with something thing, a knife, flathead, anything thin will work... the new part comes with a metal portion which you DO NOT need so discard it or keep it if you like, all you need is the plastic cap portion...

PICS

edit my mod Ron A 6 Feb 2005:
Links deleted. These were hosted by pifiu, which for some reason does not show the intended pictures, but ones of a high mounted rear wing.

Poster has been notified by PM to correct the links, if possible.
update: cTLgo has told me he cannot find these pictures so we will not ba able to put them in. We are checking with rets to see if he might have them in his files.

cM3go

edit my mod Ron A 6 Feb 2005:
Links deleted. These were hosted by pifiu, which for some reason does not show the intended pictures, but ones of a high mounted rear wing.

Poster has been notified by PM to correct the links, if possible.

6mtV6

Nice
I might do this mod. Do you have the part #?

cM3go

it'll be different for everyone, unless you have anthracite of course cause the part comes prepainted. Just go to the dealer, and ask them for the cap from the driver's side REAR door, i think you should be able to further explain what you mean.. i just said to my parts guy, the smaller piece of the door handle, he found it in no time...

i recommend calling and order unless you want to make the trip, took 2 business days to get the part

6mtV6

Thanks

cM3go

no problem!

Nittany Lion

Nice...thanks for the leg work. This looks like something inexpensive that a bunch of us will do. Simple, cheap, classy, and different!

Thanks,
EZ

GaleForce

Looks good. I need the keyhole though. If I remote start the car, I have to press lock three times, and you can't unlock the car with the keyfob. You can trick the system by doing the startup button sequence and then pressing unlock very fast, and I usually do that, but if I forget I don't want to be screwed.

Xpditor

cM3go

I don't valet my car, I'm the sole driver
And I bet you, 9 out of 10 people never use their valet key.

mobilezen

I wouldn't trust valet with a TL. Actually when I buy mine, I wouldn't trust anyone. lol.

Neogeek

well i would just get another key transmitter and put the valet key on it... then on the keyfob pry out the trunk button and give it to them... i dont care if it looks like shit, as long as its functional


::EDIT:: what if the anti trunk release is on, would the trunk button bypass it? if not then youwouldnt need to pry it off...