I just did this for my 2015 S. The videos were very helpful, but in my case the webbed strap at the upper back of the door panel had so little slack that I had to cut it because there wasn't sufficient play to tilt the panel out of the way! The only really difficult part was restoring that one nut. What finally worked: I epoxied the edge of the washer of that nut to a coathanger to hold it in place while I threaded the nut.

My 2013 S85 driver's door handle failed about a month ago, but not in the same way yours did. My handle would present, but after presenting the door would not "unlatch", as if it was still locked. Being out of warranty and not knowing what else to do, I went to my nearby North Austin (~5 mi.) Tesla service center just to ask if I was doing something wrong, and was told that the unit had failed. The amazing/miraculous part of my story is that the handle failed on Thursday evening, I went the following morning (Friday) at 10:00 a.m. WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT and was surprised when they asked if I would like to have it repaired RIGHT NOW! I could hardly believe it and after getting over the shock, I agreed and left the car then and there. My wife picked me up, we went home, had lunch. I was called at about 12:30, the car was ready ( $309 incl. parts, labor and sales tax). This same repair on my former Mercedes would have required an appointment days (or more likely weeks in advance -- depending on availability of the parts) and cost around $700.00. I probably used up an entire year of karma on this repair.

@Tellvia

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing, UTArch. You were lucky indeed with this repair. Sounds like it was a separate failure than the handle motor gear. I hope more good karma is coming your way. Cheers!

excellent - The magnet is a nice trick!

I just repaired my 2014 P85D, both driver side handles. Same problem with broken paddle gear. Replaced with $6 genuine Tesla part, new version of the paddle gear looks to be made out of better grade metal so should last longer (I hope). The advice I got from the Tesla service center guy who sold me the part is to use air bladder jack to spread the gap on top for easier removal of the top two bolts. Got the air jacks on Amazon a set of 3 is only $15, does make the job easier. Also, cover the shiny door handle to prevent it from getting scratched. Another is to use some old credit cards to wedge the bottom to level the handle before tightening the bolts.

@Tellvia

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and commenting, Jonathan. I may use the tips you used in your repair next time one of the rear doors gear brakes on our Tesla. Good to hear that Tesla finally sells spare parts to owners and third party repair shops. Cheers!

@harry-eto

Жыл бұрын

Some other guy used a screwdriver to close the hook of the door while being open. That makes the window go up another 2cm or so - just as you witness wenn closing it for real. The window does that to protect the seals upon closing. That trick gives you some more space to get the handle out.

Excellent level of detail for this project! I watched because I am curious about Tesla's engineering. Interestingly, the door really does look just like a normal car door. I've taken apart so many Volkswagen car doors in my day due to failed window regulators, and never paid anyone to fix one. It's a shame it's difficult to find the parts. On a side note, there is this photo of Elon Musk working on his car door back in 1995, posted by his mother, that circulates on the internet. Great job!

@Tellvia

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Eric, thank you for your comment. I’ll look up the Elon Musk’s photo working in his car. I hope Tesla will find a better way to support their existing customers with better service and parts availability. We still love our Model S as noting is more satisfying to drive :) Cheers!

Very useful video. Thank you for sharing. Can you please share the size of the torx wrenches you used for the job? I do have a box of wrenches and want to make sure I have the correct sizes before starting the job. Thanks.

@Tellvia

6 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! For the door handle repair you would need 10mm wrench, 9mm or 10mm bolt driver bit (size is depends on the model year) and 8mm or T30 star bolt driver bit (depending on the model year). Remember to seal back all the bolt access wholes after the repair. It is important for proper operation of the airbag. I hope this answers your questions. Cheers!

@DuetwithAnamika

6 ай бұрын

Thank you @@Tellvia

Awesome, excellent detail of explanations. I have the same problem on my model S 2015, the door handle on driver side. I look it apart and found the same broken part with your. could you please share me the company website that you bought your tart. Thank you

@Tellvia

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Steven, thank you for watching. I found that several vendors sell this part on eBay. I suggest to buy a stainless steel version - just type in the eBay search "tesla model s door gear". Some vendors sell a kit that includes washers and new limit switches. If your switches are not broken, changing just the gear part is easier. Cheers!

@jonwang999

2 жыл бұрын

I got mine from a Tesla service center. $6 each.

Old cars have old problems. This is not a issue any more the new door handle mechanism is much more robust. And also improved with no more micro switches. Just buy a new door handle and let a Tesla Ranger install it.

@AlanMcYou

10 ай бұрын

No sign that the new handles are more robust. Our second door handle has just failed.

@lbtobl83

Ай бұрын

New cars same problem. Tesla is really using cheapest materials for parts. It will retaliate to them…

@peteroffpist1621

Ай бұрын

@@AlanMcYou well for us none has broke after they have replaced a door handle. And I like the option that only driver door handle is presented so less ware and tear on the other once. But all still work after about 8 years.

My door handle will only open from inside

@Tellvia

Жыл бұрын

Does the door handle retract on the outside? It not, the culprit is likely the broken gear, if the handle retracts on the outside door panel, it might be the switch that unlocks the door. Cheers!

excellent video. wow tesla not selling parts :( Thats why i buy toyota :)

@Tellvia

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment, Alex. Tesla is trying to make their Service Centers into profit centers, but the quality of their service, in my experience, is so shoddy that I think they will eventually loose all their existing customers. I am a Toyota fan now as well :) Cheers!

@jonwang999

2 жыл бұрын

BS. I got my paddle gear replacement from the nearest Tesla service center. Just $6 each. Just walk in and ask for the part. Charge to my Tesla account automatically. The parts guy even walk out to my car and give me some pointer to how to remove and rebuild the door handle.

@jonwang999

2 жыл бұрын

@@Tellvia I don't see Toyota dealer sending technicians to fix cars at my drive way or at my work. My rear passenger door handle went first, Tesla replaced it under warranty with a new gen 3 handle (Hall effect sensor instead of micro switches) did the work at my work parking lot. I didn't even have to come out. Second one was the from passenger side front door. I was at the service center getting my MCU memory chip recall work done so they replace it with another gen 3 handle but this time it was out of warranty so I paid $343 for the work, $200 parts and rest labor and tax. Pretty straight forward. Wend my driver side doors went I decided to save the money and did the repair and rebuild myself. Hope they will last until I am done with my model S. The door handle on the Model S didn't need to be the fancy slide out but Tesla being Tesla went with the over the top design. They did go through several revision though. My 2014 P85D had the gen 2 handle, I read on the internet the current gen 3 handle are suppose to be much better build with less point of failure. Still, a traditional door handle without that many moving parts would've last life time of the vehicle.

@Promoney22

Жыл бұрын

You buy a Toyota because you don't know what its like DRIVING a Tesla everyday.