Honda Element Power Window Diagnosis and Repair

The passenger window on my daughters Honda Element stopped working one morning. In this video I show you how I diagnosed and repaired this problem. It’s something I believe anyone with basic tools can do and save a ton of money on this repair.
If you have a Honda Element, or you just want to see how this work gets done, watch this video!
Thanks for watching!
#ETCGVideo #HondaElement
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[@KevinRStrauss]

Thanks so much Eric! Your video was awesome as I followed it to replace the assembly and motor for the driver's side window of my 2008 Element. 60 minutes to disassembly and 90 minutes to fully install. I feel like that was a huge success! If anyone needs additional input, feel free to comment. Quick Note: After re-assembling everything, the Power Door Unlock worked but the Power Door Lock Button did not work. After Google searching, I found that holding the inside door handle FULLY OPEN and pushing the Power Door Lock Button seemed to "reset" it. All is well. :)

[@AcuraAddicted]

You look great, Eric! It also seems you lost quite a bit of weight. I hope whatever it was that you had to deal with has passed.

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks for noticing. 10lbs and counting. Let's just say that last year and part of this one have been pretty stressful. I hope you and family are well.

[@mattmalenda6585]

@@ericthecarguy You're also a really nice guy, very down-to-earth. I appreciated that about you.

[@sparkplug1018]

Darn nice of Honda to install them with bolts, hate drilling out rivets to replace window motors.

[@jdrs4214]

Unfortunately most cars are like that now ☹️. And the new vehicle power window elevator assemblies use steel cables instead of wheels, tracks, & gears as an assembly.

[@MMURDZZ]

The amount of money you save people is something to be proud of. You do a great service for people who'd rather do it themselves. Thank you.

[@bxrodfilms]

Thank you Eric!! My window would not go up yesterday after work and I have to say I'm the most car illiterate girlie! Thanks so much for creating this instructional video. I was able to follow it and managed to replace the driver's side regulator in about 3 hours! I only broke the screws on the rear cover of the window, that one was insanely hard to take off! I will be replacing my speakers next!!

[@panzerveps]

Was driving to work a few years back when I noticed a slight wind noise, like a window wasn't properly closed. I pushed the buttons to close all windows, when my front passenger window just disappeared down into the door. From the dealership, I could choose between a complete assembly with new inner door cover included (expensive), or a rebuild kit with just the wires for 1/10 of the price. Took me a while to install the new wires, but it was so worth it.

[@JeffWinter1]

What a nice father fixing his daughter's vehicle. Now she can help you move!👍

[@andystites]

I had my window fail just before a 20 degree night with a blizzard forecast for the weekend. Thanks to your video I got the panel removed to diagnose the issue. Got the window taped up, drove 5 hours in the snow, got the part for $49 from Brock, replaced the motor in 2 hours and it works great now. All in less than a week and with very little previous knowledge of my Element's door panels. Thanks so much. Next I need to take on fixing the lock regulator that actuates the door lock on the driver side.

[@CrazyPetez]

There is a lot of engineering is something we all take for granted. Nice explanation on the vapor barrier👍👍.

[@scottedelen]

Hey Eric the Car Guy, you rock. I needed this video today for my Element and you, my good sir, came through. Thank you Eric the Car Guy.

[@richardcarlson3627]

As far as the vapor barrier reattachment is concerned I’ve used some double sided adhesive tape or even silicone adhesive to augment where the original glue line was. Particularly if it’s been removed a couple of times.

[@jrodbball8244]

Thanks for the video Eric! I've got an '05 here, same problem. With your help I changed it out in less than an hour. Your videos always come in clutch and they're the first place I turn to with any problem on our Toaster

[@TheJeepinjigga]

Thanks for another great video. You articulate so well, always make it look easy. Breaking it down step by step, appreciated. Finished the job this morning. AC fan replacement next week. Thanks to your daughter for owning an Element. Cheers mate!

[@tje1966]

Thanks Eric. I followed exactly what you did here on my '03 Element and had it done in about 1 1/2 hours. And saved quite a bit of $ versus taking it to my local shop. I really appreciate you posting this!

[@gnurxer]

That Sir, deserves a double thumb$ up!

[@JamesDvorak]

"and drop it on the floor..." ETCG, thanks for keepin' it real, Dude. That's one reason why I quite enjoy your videos!

[@VolMike7]

I just had a window regulator go our yesterday and this video walked me through it perfectly! I bought the part and had it done in under 2 hours. THANK YOU!!!

[@kirkydaturkey]

Fixed my drivers side window with this video today. Thanks Eric!

[@russellmulley2404]

Used this video to change the window motor/regulator on my 09 Element - worked perfectly! Great video, thanks!

[@RandomPerson6585]

Thank you Eric! I have a 2003 Element and just had this same thing happen. Your video included the sounds of the issue which I matched to mine. The information you put in the description was spot on and I was able to get the part and the replacement done without much issue. Like other said, it took about 90 min. for a person who isn't well versed in this. Thank you for sharing with the community! Please continue to make these great self help videos.

[@Kenny3332]

Thank you Eric I did one for my Tempo long time ago. Thanks again.

[@behyseractive6418]

Great video. Followed this and fixed the window on my 2006 Element. My issue was the driver side but this video sufficed. Took photos of all the connections and steps along the way. Good stuff. Saved a lot of $$.

[@dj_tmc]

This worked perfectly for me! In fact, my daughter & I watched it when we took the door apart. She picked up the replacement part when I was at work and did the first part of the install herself. I did final door assembly when I got home. Only one day w/o a working window, woot!!

[@josephbenoit8217]

Just as so many others have comments, great video. Window sounded just like yours at the beginning of the video. Followed exactly as you talked it through and everything went perfect. Replaced regulator and motor assembly and now have a working window again. Exactly the video I needed. Thanks much.

[@elpdrico1]

Thank you for showing a clear, slow, step-by-step instruction on how to replace the window motor. This video was a money saver!!!!!

[@user-ww2yz8ys8u]

Thank you Eric, you are a lifesaver. I ordered the parts you suggested and after following your ever so helpful instructions I had the project done in 2 1/2 hours. Besides the time and cash I saved taking our Element to a repair shop it gave me a great deal of satisfaction doing the job myself. I did the needed repair on the driver's side window and I said to myself that I may as well get the part for the passenger side as well because it has been giving me grief lately. Thanks to you it will be a no-brainer. Thanks again!

[@marsmediapro]

The right side window on my Element EX failed yesterday as I was about to leave for work- argh! I didnt have time to track down this excellent video, dagnabit! I did get the panel off, now I need to order the part, and getter done. Thanks, Eric!

[@Lysander_Spooner]

Thank you for this video! I just changed out the window regulator on my wife's Element using your step by step guide. Thanks again!

[@emmanuelhele2504]

Thank you for coming thru on this one, Eric! I appreciate the throrough instructions and the good angles , it defo made the job easier. Keep up the good work 🙌

[@lucaspepke]

Thanks for a good, clear video. I had already done this repair to my driver side window regulator, but after 6 years, the part failed. I watched this with my son who helped me do the repair this time :)

[@rajendradathkalipersad1294]

Great info. I drive a 2005 CRV and your Element vids are very useful to me.

[@graffaficionado]

Thank you so much for this video Eric. Was able to knock this out with no issues even tho I can barely change my own oil. 🙌🏻 you rule

[@kalmtraveler]

thanks so much for this! I was too lazy to figure out how to do this a few years ago when my Element's driver side died, but the passenger one just failed on me today and I'm grabbing a cheap aftermarket regulator right now since this looks like a pretty easy 30 minute job. Saving $$$$ thanks again Eric!

[@trailrunningguy]

Thank you for posting this!!! Saved me big time. Super quick and easy install.

[@casterlau999999]

Can’t imagine I have the same problem today, jump back to this video right away! Will need to visit junkyard tmr. Glad that I subscribed and watched your video, quite confident to fix it tmr. Thanks Eric!

[@timothyd4y]

Just did this to our '07 and it worked perfectly. Thanks for the video.

[@grzlbr]

What a legend this mildly sarcastic (in a good way) character is, articulate and great narrator to boot. Who would've ever guessed !

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks.

[@rajendradathkalipersad1294]

I was wondering who Jerryrigeverything voice reminds me of.....Eric voice!!!

[@user-no5dx1pi4j]

Thank you for this video! Wife's car window motor went out today in the rain!! Went back home and got the window up and put a vise grip on the track. Going to fix it when the part comes in.

[@KingSmashy]

Just did this repair on the drivers side of my 2009 EX. The video was a big help. Thank you!

[@wazowski6709]

Awesome video! About to embark on this repair for all 4 doors on my Ford. This was super helpful.

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Very good step by step instructions!!!

[@user-mx8ff7tz8w]

Thanks so much for the video. I watched it a couple of times and was able to dismantle the door and then install the new window regulator and motor. Your instruction saved me time and money!!!!

[@unclebuttonz7865]

Thanks for your video! Ya helped me to install a replacement and now my window goes up!!

[@brightonbigler3777]

My local shop quoted me $400.00 for the repair. After watching this video, I bought the $65.00 part and did it myself in an afternoon. Your video was clear, concise, and very easy to follow. Thanks much for the help!

[@ChristineV5]

Thank you Eric - your video was thorough and quite helpful - saved me some money and a fair amount of time.

[@stuffsethmakes]

Our 2003 Element driver side window stopped working, but I could hear the electrical was fine so I figured it must be something else. Not knowing how to troubleshoot further, I started the disassembly and was able to get to the point of manually moving the glass up and down but I was at a stand still from there. Looking at the door I was thinking I was going to have to figure out how to take the whole door apart, haha. But then I thought I should do a little research. When your video popped up first I knew I was in good hands. I've watched a couple of your other videos about Element stuff and should have know to come straight here first! I just ordered the part (aftermarket) using your Amazon link and I'm confident I'll have success with my repair. Thank you for for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge and experience so we can learn too. I appreciate your channel so very much! Thanks again!

[@MrSnaveRevilo]

Perfect tutorial as always. Had your exact issue and replaced in an hour with assembly from my local oreilleys. Thank you for taking care of us element owners

[@bryanperez354]

how much did u pay

[@fsurulz]

Great video. I just received my regulator last week and will be replacing the driver side door on a 2014 pilot. Should be easy as pie. I did the same job on my 2003 accord.

[@jonnypetty4630]

Thanks Eric! Excellent video. Fixed my window with your help 👏👍👏👍

[@_apey]

Excellent vid!

[@ltcbio1]

Excellent. Great attention to detail!

[@mannys9130]

One thing I suggest while doing this job: take this opportunity to do preventative maintenance! 😺 Take those rubber/flocked window wipers off and clean them well with soapy water. Put some Aerospace 303 on the rubber side that doesn't touch the glass. If the flocked glass side tracks/guides come off the door easily, clean them well in the sink too. They hold fine dust particles and industrial fallout which scratches glass and tint. Afterward, lubricate the side glass guides/tracks with some Teflon dry lubricant spray. That helps decrease the resistance to upward travel, and helps the motor last longer. Don't lube the wipers or the top seal/guide though because that'll smear the glass. Just Teflon spray the 2 sides. Also lubricate Amy other parts you can, like any lower window or regulator moving parts/tracks/pulleys, the door lock actuator and linkage, the interior handle pivot, and the inside of the door check strap where the spring and ball bearings are. Also clean the bottom of the door's interior cavity of all the dirt or muck that tends to build up. That muck blocks the drain holes, and you end up with stagnant water that sits inside, ruining the door card, growing mold, and rusting everything. Suck and scrub the muck out with a vacuum and poke through the drain holes so you know they are wide open. Lack of lubrication and preventative maintenance is what kills door interior guts. :'( I've seen it so, so often. In my opinion, people should remove the door panels and do all of this stuff at the 5 or 6 year mark REGARDLESS of any parts breakage or problems. It's just good, easy stuff to do to extend the life of expensive stuff. 😺

[@corydriver7634]

Agreed, cleaning while the glass was out and the door disassembled makes sense plus my OCD wouldn’t have let me put that dirty glass back in. 😁

[@SandySez]

.... and this is why I always take some extra time to read comments under videos about these such matters!! lol. Thank you.

[@theaudibles9960]

You are the BEST M ERIC!!! Thanks for this tutorial!!!!

[@scottjune3554]

I have to say I love your videos So precise and understandable Thank you for sharing your knowledge God bless you

[@cburg4383]

Great video; just what I needed. Thank you!

[@TimothyDavies1]

Super helpful video. Thanks for this!

[@TheV6Guy]

Awesome video - Thanks Eric!

[@pinkslurpeez7]

dude thank you so much! this was soooo thorough and helpful

[@yodasbff3395]

Your explanations are great 👍thanks.

[@RichardNash100]

@EricTheCarGuy Great Job :) I have just done the same thing on a FORD FIESTA ZETEC S 2000. It is almost identical the motor and the mechanism. Also understand same as Mazda 121.

[@Rickyboy707]

You brought back memories of a nightmare job I did a few years ago. I had to replace the driver's side power window motor on a 1976 Ford LTD. The book actually called for me to cut the inner sheet metal of the door in a "C" shape and bend the piece back to gain access to the motor. Part of the reinstall was to bend the piece back and use seam sealer to hold the piece in place. I think they must have put the door together in two pieces at the factory, sandwiching the motor and related parts between the inner shell and outer door skin.

[@ericthecarguy]

Yea, things have changed a bit since then. This is much easier in my opinion.

[@dasterrett]

Great video. Thanks. This is 3rd regulator I've replaced. Wish I had seen this video before the last time.

[@ReadMoreRothbard]

Used this vid to save a couple hundred bucks. Mine was driver side. Other than a few small differences this video worked a treat. Thanks mate!

[@susanturner550]

Thank you for a clear understandable video!

[@nuctraut]

Thanks! Helped a bunch!

[@samualmiles]

Thanks for the video. Easy to follow and saved me money by not having to hire someone! 🙌

[@rsg_cars]

Exact thing happened to my mom about a week ago, a day after she bought a 2003 Element. She took it to someone else to repair, wish shed have let me do it, now i can send her this video as an extra told you so that she couldve saved a few bucks. Next Time!

[@thomasdement7885]

Great DIY video. It reminds me of the early days.

[@MrDanielpope]

You are talented,its hell to work on these

[@JUDDLILIHA]

Fixed..... thanks Eric

[@user-vy5ex9tx5f]

Thank you sir for a great video explaining the regulator requirement it was awesome and straight to the point thank you

[@novaconetta1577]

It turns out for us it was the child lock button that is just above the driver side switch for the windows😢. But thank you Eric because now we can have the pride, joy, and satisfaction of knowing we now have the skills to install a new window motor and regulator. I'm pretty sure I account for the last million views though.

[@ivwshane]

I literally just did this yesterday for my drivers side. The cable and the winder got messed up and kinked the steel cable. A replacement was pretty easy to install.

[@thinman8621]

Informative. Thank you.

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you Eric I always enjoy watching your wonderful videos and I forward to watching your videos I am from South Africa

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you!

[@coonea1]

I made the mistake of bragging to another element owner that I still have not had any problems with my windows after 160,000 miles. Of course, the next week my passenger side came down (in full rain). Your video helped a lot getting the new regulator in (wasn't finding the screw behind the handle, lol).

[@steveburke7675]

Watched this excellent vid to replace my passenger side window actuator 2 yrs ago. Same actuator (aftermarket) just failed again from a HARD door slam...plastic parts...so round 2.

[@BellozeCountry]

Man you are a great help and teacher. Very well explained 👏

[@rickwalltheoutlaw]

Great video Eric. Very professional and easy to follow. Im a subscriber now ❤

[@BILLVRENI]

Thanks!

[@mars_volta_nut]

Thanks so much! You saved me 290$ by doing it myself!

[@davidd8435]

Thanks for the content Mr. Eric, even if you do not have the same vehicle, you can use the video as a pattern to replace it on another vehicle.

[@willspy4u]

Thanks Eric, a very good run-through. My 2005 Element passenger side window just "popped" and then slowly lowered; and won't raise; so I'm sure it's either the actuator, the motor, or those clips near the bottom of the window that may have broken.

[@michaelkucsmas2939]

You sir, win the KZbin University award for clarity and brevity! I was able to remove and reinstall my driver side regulator and motor in an hour and fifteen following your instructions. Thank you! BTW, I used the Dorman Window Lift Motor Part # 748-132 for the passenger side. The driver side is part # 748-131.

[@donbaldwin1600]

Eric, you are an amazing car guy!

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you!

[@suj1945]

Nice one Eric

[@rickstafford5316]

Thank you

[@carlosvega2449]

You are awesome .. thank you

[@902Boots]

45 seconds in... exact same sound mine JUST started doing :)

[@commodore665]

good video Eric , it is a common failure on many cars

[@fire7765]

Good job

[@JDMLCO]

Thank you! I wouldn't have attempted this without your video to guide the way. The (recommended) real Honda part is pricey, but hopefully I won't ever have to do it again!

[@salvadorhernandez8436]

Thank you !!!!

[@hunting447]

You finally fixed one. Good job rookie.

[@edgarsauza5985]

You are amazing!

[@aserta]

4:22 i just sliced it down the middle and later i put greenhouse tape. It's the thicker type of tape that's rated for UV and -30c in direct exposure. IMO, the less you mess with the factory installation glue and clip, the better. Using that cheap type of tape is perfect for this, it will never let go as it's meant to go in direct snow, rain, sun. Ten times better than any other type of tape that's not duct tape.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Easy peezy repair nice work Eric @EricTheCarGuy

[@steffydog]

Good stuff

[@josermontes]

Great video. I just subscribed because I love how your hands look in those gloves

[@lonwillis783]

Wow 😳 that's amazing had them for 17 years no problems. 👍😊

[@samuelspade889]

18 yr and driver window just went