HRV Hybrid Door Lock Chaos: Battery or Electronics?

Hey there! I dealt with almost identical issues on my 2019 Honda CR-V Hybrid. The symptoms started just like yours, inconsistent locking/unlocking and dimming lights. Initially thought it was just a battery thing, but turned out the cable connecting the door handle electronics to the main control unit was damaged. Had it fixed at the dealership last month. They found some wire corrosion and a partially disconnected harness in the driver's door. The repair included replacing the entire cable assembly and recalibrating the system. Took about 3 hours total. It wasn't a major mechanical issue, but definitely needed proper attention since it affects the security system. The problem could get worse if left unchecked, in my case, it started affecting the immobilizer too. Worth getting it checked by someone who knows these systems well. Modern car electronics are pretty complex, especially in hybrids. -Mark

Thanks for sharing your experience, Mark! Good to know I'm not alone with these electrical gremlins. The symptoms you described match mine exactly. Really helpful to know it was the cable rather than the whole handle unit. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much the repair set you back? Also, has everything been working smoothly since the fix or have you noticed any other quirks? Cheers, Dave

Hey Dave! Happy to help out! Yes, everything's been working perfectly since I got it fixed a few weeks ago. The error in the door handle electronics is completely gone, no more flickering lights or locking issues. Super relieved it was just that faulty cable connection between the handle electronics and the control unit. The total repair came to 110€, which honestly wasn't as bad as I feared. Sometimes these electrical issues can really hit the wallet hard, but this was pretty reasonable considering it solved all those annoying problems. I've put about 2,000 km on the car since the repair, and it's all working like new. No quirks, no glitches, just normal operation. The locking system responds instantly now, and all the lights are working at full brightness. Such a relief after dealing with those issues for a while! Let me know if you end up getting yours fixed. Would be interested to hear if it's the same problem! -Mark

Thanks again Mark! This is exactly what I needed to hear. Finally took my car to a mechanic yesterday, and you were spot on, it was indeed a wiring issue! The technician found some corroded wires in the door harness, just like in your case. They fixed it up in about 4 hours, and the cost was pretty similar to what you paid. I was so relieved it wasn't something more serious or expensive. You're right about getting it done quickly too, the mechanic mentioned the corrosion could have spread and caused bigger problems. The car's working perfectly now, no more flickering lights or door lock issues. Such a relief to have it sorted! Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it helped me feel more confident about getting it checked out. Thanks for all your help! Dave