Door handle slow to return

[CharleyBC]

Well, after recently starting a thread about 18 months of zero service issues, I may have something.

A week or so ago i noticed that after pulling the driver’s door handle (outside) to open the door, it would not immediately return to its flush position. Then twice today after climbing in, I pulled the door closed, and it thudded and bounced back open. This is presumably because the latch is still open as a result of the handle still being out.

I didn’t find anything on this, but wondered whether anyone has experienced this, and what the solution was. I’m guessing it may be as simple as some lubrication.

Note: this has been above freezing and dry, so I don’t think that sort of thing is a factor.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[m3snowy]

Yes I've the same issue on the rear passenger-side door. Since I don't use that door often, I haven't plan a SC visit for this issue yet.

 

[miimura]

I had this issue on our Model 3 driver's door. Mobile service was able to adjust the mechanism and it's been great for more than a year.

 

[David L]

This happened to my driver's door. Mobile service filed away some excess material from the handle and it's been fine ever since. He also mentioned that the door handle has been redesigned after our early batch of cars, so most owners shouldn't encounter this problem.

 

[Tz00]

I had the issue on the driver's door. I sprayed in a little WD-40 on all door handles on the little spring you can see in there. The problem went away.

 

[holmgang]

User manual instruct wd40 or similar water displacement product on the spring mechanism

 

[CharleyBC]

I had this issue on our Model 3 driver's door. Mobile service was able to adjust the mechanism and it's been great for more than a year.

Do you know what they did specifically? DIY could be simpler than getting service, so I’m curious. Thanks!

 

[CharleyBC]

User manual instruct wd40 or similar water displacement product on the spring mechanism

I read the manual cover to cover twice, and I don’t remember seeing that. Time to have my brain serviced.

thanks!

 

[miimura]

Do you know what they did specifically? DIY could be simpler than getting service, so I’m curious. Thanks!

I don't know the specifics of what he did to the mechanism. I didn't want to hover for the whole procedure. However, he did have to remove the whole driver's door panel to access the inside of the handle. Not recommended for DIY.

 

[RC2785]

I've seen someone report this issue a while ago on a different website, they said that mobile service came out and shaved/sanded a piece of plastic in the door mechanism and that fixed it.

 

[goldengate]

I had the same issue and used silicon spray... hasn't been an issue for months. Don't use WD40... service told me it would gum up the works.

 

[holmgang]

I read the manual cover to cover twice, and I don’t remember seeing that. Time to have my brain serviced.

thanks!

ah, probably cuz its here instead on tesla.com

Do It Yourself - Model 3

Applying WD-40 to Door Handle Pivot Pins




In severe winter conditions, applying WD-40 to door handle pivot pins can help prevent ice buildup that might immobilize the handle. Consider applying WD-40 to the door handle pivot pins if you are expecting freezing rain, heavy snow, or icy conditions. Reapply as needed.

 

[iwannam3]

Ranger came out, taped up the area with painters tape and sprayed cleaner & lube. Now pass door handle doing it. 15K VIN. Will try silicone.

 

[CharleyBC]

I don't know the specifics of what he did to the mechanism. I didn't want to hover for the whole procedure. However, he did have to remove the whole driver's door panel to access the inside of the handle. Not recommended for DIY.

Actually, I’ve removed a Model 3 door panel. Not a breeze, but not bad. But if squirting some silicone will do it, that is a breeze!

 

[DaddyCool]

This has just started to happen on my passenger door too - not driven for weeks and just put it down to not used.

 

[CharleyBC]

This has just started to happen on my passenger door too - not driven for weeks and just put it down to not used.

See the link in post #12 above. I followed that exactly, and it worked like a charm. It helped having it outside in bright light--that spring is kinda tucked in the shadows, and I couldn't see it in the garage.

 

[KenR]

HI, I've had my car 2 years and 1 day!!! The door handle did the same thing a year ago...they did their sanding magic... but it came back and this time they replaced the the guts....so make a note as the sand and lube thing may be temporary...So watch your warranty date and perhaps insist on a replacement if it even happens one more time in the near future.

 

[DaddyCool]

HI, I've had my car 2 years and 1 day!!! The door handle did the same thing a year ago...they did their sanding magic... but it came back and this time they replaced the the guts....so make a note as the sand and lube thing may be temporary...So watch your warranty date and perhaps insist on a replacement if it even happens one more time in the near future.

Thank you
I'll raise it with SC so they have an audit trail should things need replacing

 

[JayNJ]

Well, after recently starting a thread about 18 months of zero service issues, I may have something.

A week or so ago i noticed that after pulling the driver’s door handle (outside) to open the door, it would not immediately return to its flush position. Then twice today after climbing in, I pulled the door closed, and it thudded and bounced back open. This is presumably because the latch is still open as a result of the handle still being out.

I didn’t find anything on this, but wondered whether anyone has experienced this, and what the solution was. I’m guessing it may be as simple as some lubrication.

Note: this has been above freezing and dry, so I don’t think that sort of thing is a factor.

Thanks for any tips!

I had this issue because it was gooped up from some soap I used to adhere PPF to the handles. So they might just be dirty. Try flooding the handles with water and clean them. Also I ended up spraying some silicon spray into the handle to lubricate. It returned to closing properly.

 

[NOLADriver]

If any of you want to see the insides of the handles, completely disassembled, I can post them here. I have a set of handles I took completely apart and can do again if needed. Sometimes it helps people visualize what they are spraying and where.