Door Handle Sensor Removal/Install

[choppstixxx]

So I thought I would write up something to help anyone that's sensors crap out too. I had one heck of a night tonight with re-installing the door handle which involved me having to remove the entire inner door trim to fish out a piece of the handle mechanism that dropped in

The following video will help you get a general idea of how to remove/install things:


Now to explain some things in English with what is happening in the video.
You will need a T20 torx screwdriver, there is a set screw under the rubber cap on the edge of the door that needs to be loosened. Make sure you do not loosen it too far as it can back out and drop down your door. You want it loosened just enough that you can pop the end cap of your door handle off. The banging action on your T20 torx in the above video is to push this plastic guide that the screw is attached to forward. This allows the end cap of your handle to be removed.

The rest of the video is pretty straight forward for removing the rest of the handle and swapping sensors.
Now to re-install, when it comes time to put the small end cap back on this video helps explain what you will be doing:


You need lift up the metal latch in the cavity and then push the plastic guide using the T20 torx screw towards the front of the car. This will lock the latch in place so you can put the longer piece of the handle back on.
Once you have that seated/back on, you just have to push the T20 torx screw/guide slightly towards the rear of the car. Your door latch will sorta pop into place once you do that. Then when you are ready to install the smaller end cap take your T20 torx and put it on the set screw, tap/push it towards the front of the car again. This will allow you to re-install the end cap now.
Once you put the end cap back on, tighten the T20 torx and you are all set!

FYI I bought my new sensor from this eBay seller and it was exactly the same as the OEM one I pulled out. All the part #'s etc. matched and works like a charm

[Ejr]

Thanks for the write out. How’s the eBay sensor holding up? Since the price difference is drastic compared to the OEM.

[choppstixxx]

Thanks for the write out. How’s the eBay sensor holding up? Since the price different is drastic compared to the OEM.

Knock on wood, it's been perfectly fine. No issues and works like OEM.

[voodoo_ca]

Hey Choppstixxx - wondering if you can help me out with my sensor install... I have messed something up on one side.
I have a 2011 Q5, but I think its the same for all of them until 2018.
So I tried to loosen the M20 and I have done something wrong. It didnt fall out, but it is completely loose and will not turn back in at all.
I kept trying to pull out the first block that keeps the handle in place, with no luck.
I watched another video, went to the other rear door handle on the other side of the car, 2 seconds, pop it was out.
Sooooo, I can take apart the wrong side, but I cant get the other side to work.
Here is my understanding of what is holding it in place, I am just trying to figure out how to move the sled to let go.

Underneath the "plug" part that comes out first when you are trying to take the handle apart, there is a piece that slides.
When it slides into the "plug" it fits nicely into a groove, and that holds the plug in place.
On the side that worked for me, I loosened the set screw until it stoped, tapped it with the screw driver (that made the slide move and disengage from the plug), and then I could easily pull the plug out.
So, I used a drill on the other side of that is now not working.
I obviously moved the screw too far in some direction...
It does not turn in or out, and does not screw into anything.
It also does not move the slide to release the plug.
I dont know how to move that piece that slides to get it to let go of the plug.

Anyone have ideas?!
The hole in the end where you reach the M20 is so small you cant really see anything in there...

I wish I could see what that part looks like outside of the door.

Thanks
Chad

[choppstixxx]

Hey Choppstixxx - wondering if you can help me out with my sensor install... I have messed something up on one side.
I have a 2011 Q5, but I think its the same for all of them until 2018.
So I tried to loosen the M20 and I have done something wrong. It didnt fall out, but it is completely loose and will not turn back in at all.
I kept trying to pull out the first block that keeps the handle in place, with no luck.
I watched another video, went to the other rear door handle on the other side of the car, 2 seconds, pop it was out.
Sooooo, I can take apart the wrong side, but I cant get the other side to work.
Here is my understanding of what is holding it in place, I am just trying to figure out how to move the sled to let go.

Underneath the "plug" part that comes out first when you are trying to take the handle apart, there is a piece that slides.
When it slides into the "plug" it fits nicely into a groove, and that holds the plug in place.
On the side that worked for me, I loosened the set screw until it stoped, tapped it with the screw driver (that made the slide move and disengage from the plug), and then I could easily pull the plug out.
So, I used a drill on the other side of that is now not working.
I obviously moved the screw too far in some direction...
It does not turn in or out, and does not screw into anything.
It also does not move the slide to release the plug.
I dont know how to move that piece that slides to get it to let go of the plug.

Anyone have ideas?!
The hole in the end where you reach the M20 is so small you cant really see anything in there...

I wish I could see what that part looks like outside of the door.

Thanks
Chad

What door are you having the issue with? On this eBay auction you'll see in the second picture the metal "U" shaped piece that is out of the assembly, that is the what the Torx screw you are tightening/loosening is going into. However IIRC on mine it was plastic not metal, that slides along the assembly. So if you cannot tighten/loosen that either got stripped or something, you probably will have to take apart the interior door to investigate further.

[voodoo_ca]

So it is rear passenger - I was able to take apart the rear driver easily, but I still couldnt see what the carrier looks like.
Somehow, I have undone the screw and it wont tighten.
Unfortunately I think you are right, I need to take the door apart... ugggg
I had the other side apart to do the lock mechanism on that side.
I was just wondering if I could somehow push the slider over using the small hole in the door where you put the screw driver.
I was hoping I didnt have to take the door panel off.

Chad

[ryan989]

Hello, I am also facing the problem of having the rear door t20 set screw sliding out of place. I haven't lost it down the door but I can't seem to get it to line up in order to slide it back in the grooves that held it in place. Do you know of any links that can show which way its supposed to go back into place? Is my only option to remove the door panel? Very frustrating haha.

[NikolaZ]

I had to tear down the From Passenger Door, cuz I lost the part. After taht I fould out a video in which they used rubber bands to pull the metal thingy inside the door.

[Ejr]

Been a while since I thought to update on the door handle sensor issue, my bad. I simply replaced all four sensors with eBay offs, I replaced the first 2 11/2021 and they are still working great (I couldn’t and still can’t believe they are) then the drivers sensor gave, swapped that in Dec 2021 as well. And front passenger gave out a few days ago, changed it last weekend. They are still working, lets see how long will they hang! I was so perplexed to find out a couple dollars was what was keeping me from enjoying the convenience feature! I hate having to reach for the fob. Thanks y’all!


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