Restoring a 2007 Honda Accord sedan for a loved one: help troublehsooting

[the_matrix_guy]

Restoring a 2007 Honda Accord sedan for a loved one: help troubleshooting failed power windows & more


I bought a Honda Accord from my neighbor for $1250 to restore it for my aunt. It was overheating due to a broken/pierced radiator and broken cooling fan. But I fixed it, and car runs like new now. (I replaced both fans while I was at it). That said, everything inside the cabin is broken. I've already replaced the stereo with a chinese Xtrons head unit (has a 10" screen, Car Play, etc). I've also replaced the broken inside door handles. Plus added faux leather cover seats and faux leather upholstery on the door arm rests & panels, and middle arm rest. The car already looks like a new car inside. However, I need a little help on my next repair:

I have three power windows (all except the driver's) which do not operate. I hear the switch clicking but the windows do not operate at all. Do you guys think it could be the fuses or is it a motor issue?

I also need to replace the headlights they work but are really old and dingy.

[autococker04]

If you hear the switch clicking I don’t think it would be a fuse. Have you tried to force the window down by pushing it? They might just be stuck from lack of use.

[the_matrix_guy]

If you hear the switch clicking I don’t think it would be a fuse. Have you tried to force the window down by pushing it? They might just be stuck from lack of use.

Ok, let me try this, thank you

[Brandon]

where's Melrosejedi he's got one of these I think

[the_matrix_guy]

Also, I was thinking of maybe upgrading the side rear view mirrors to Benz-like folding mirrors like these:



But the seller kinda discouraged me after I asked him if they worked with the American version of the Accord. Because on Aliexpress they have the mirrors, but they say "Asian model Accord only" I know it's best if you have the EX model which doesnt have the heating feature. Which is the model I'm working on here.


Also, why would the seller say that I have to contact a shop BEFORE ordering so they can do the wiring. So stupid.

Does anyone have experience wiring these:

[the_matrix_guy]

pghp8ntballer Thank you. Do you think the "Inspire" folding mirrors would work better? The 2006 Inspire Accord seems to be the same Accord as North American variant. I know I would still need to install the switch and wire it, but I'm wondering if I would still need re-wiring

[pghp8ntballer]

If you are wanting the turn signals in the mirrors, the fitment is the least of my concerns. There is a good chance the vehicle wiring harness is not wired for the signals. Then you need to run and tap wiring to some other section of the signal wiring. I don’t know if the NA accord harness was wired for it.

The inspire mirrors might bolt up but I simply don’t know personally.

[pghp8ntballer]

Once again, I don’t know if the accord is wired for the signals in the mirrors, but look for 2006 or 2007 Accord hybrid mirrors. They are guaranteed to fit since it’s the same car. But they did have mirror signals. It was the only Accord in that generation that had them.

[Melrosejedi]

Chances are the windows are all on one fused circuit. The tip on the windows being stuck is a good place to start. Check the switches for battery power and then power to the actuator motor. This will probably need the door panel removed to access the motor. Not sure if your comfortable doing that. Good luvk

[the_matrix_guy]

Chances are the windows are all on one fused circuit. The tip on the windows being stuck is a good place to start. Check the switches for battery power and then power to the actuator motor. This will probably need the door panel removed to access the motor. Not sure if your comfortable doing that. Good luvk

Thank you. I actually tried removing the driver side panel when I was doing the upholstery. It's not hard, it's just three screws that hold it together -- but the problem was actually the window wiring harness. It's stuck and wont disconnect. I pressed the little tab and pulled for a good 20 minutes, even used a vice wrench and it wouldnt budge I havent tried the other sides yet.

But I will try to push it down and see if its stuck later

[Jordan]

Turn the window lock off.

There's a master switch on the driver's side switch assembly that controls the other windows. Make sure it's not pushed down.

[the_matrix_guy]

Turn the window lock off.

There's a master switch on the driver's side switch assembly that controls the other windows. Make sure it's not pushed down.

Yeah, it's not that.

........

I just realized that the switch only clicks on the master driver's switch (clicks on all the switches). But it doesn't click on any of the passenger's. If say, the switch is bad on the passenger's side, would it still open through the driver switch? or do both switches need to be working? Just trying to narrow down the problem. Hopefully I can avoid having to replace the motors, although that seems like the likely culprit right now.

It's worth mentioning that the weatherstrips were bad, and some water was getting inside the doors, although not much. But maybe the circuit got shorted.
@Melrosejedi. I need to grab a meter before I can check for power

[autococker04]

I’d be more suspicious of a connection preventing flow of electricity to the motors than 3 motors failing. Especially because the 3 failed motors would be used less than that one that still works.

[Melrosejedi]

I agree with autococker04 in the possibility of 3 bad motors is very low. You will need a multi meter to check the window switch on the door. The switch should have postitive voltage present and the the switch will direct it two different ways to either go up or down reversing the motor polarity. I would try to search for an electrical schematic of the system online. This way you can check the wires by color coding. The battery negative should also be present on ground wires through the frame,as they are just as important. Hard to help on an electrical problem as its a process of elimination and narrowing down the circuit. Hope this helps.

[Rickfactor2]

Try this.

https://youtu.be/scWc_9ALo9Y

[the_matrix_guy]

Awesome tip, it actually helped me anyway, but it didnt fix the bad windows

[SignOfZeta]

Turn the window lock off.

There's a master switch on the driver's side switch assembly that controls the other windows. Make sure it's not pushed down.

I used to be a Honda dealer mechanic and I had this “problem” in my bay on more than one occasion.

Check again. Once you’re sure the switch is in the right spot then you need a meter and a schematic.

[the_matrix_guy]

I used to be a Honda dealer mechanic and I had this “problem” in my bay on more than one occasion.

Check again. Once you’re sure the switch is in the right spot then you need a meter and a schematic.

Wait, you guys are talking about the switch that’s accessible from the outside, right?

Yeah, you must be, i took out the switch, theres nonswitch inside

[Melrosejedi]

Sounds like your problem

[autococker04]

That’s the most specific and relevant video I’ve ever seen.

[the_matrix_guy]

That’s basically it. Thank you. That video tought me so much. The only thing is, that he looks for the OEM Honda master switch (which costs $500+ CAD) but you can get aftermarket master switches for $25. Im thinking of just ordering one. I dont have the electrical know-how to do the ghetto-rig he did with the relay

[Melrosejedi]

Nice!