'Curly Q. Links' said something like:
> "Thomas G. Marshall" wrote:
>>
>> When the rear window opens and closes (above and independently from the
>> door
>> swing gate), it activates a switch that is built into the top left of the
>> rear door. Something on the bottom left of the window depresses this
>> switch
>> when the glass is closed, and when the glass is raised up (hinges at the
>> top) the switch is supposed to return.
>>
>> It is not, and if I tap it very quickly and hard, it'll sometimes come
>> back.
>>
>> It feels very much like a plastic-on-plastic friction going on in there,
>> but
>> am not sure if some part of the spring broke----although it does return,
>> and
>> I /think/ it's returning with the same vigor as before (once unstuck).
>> I've
>> sprayed everything I could see in there, and I'm actually surprised not
>> that
>> it didn't work, but that there was *zero* effect.
>>
>> Any ideas? How hard is this part of the door to disassemble?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> --
>> "Realtor" and "realty" are pronounced "reel'-tor" and
>> "reel'-tee", *not* "reel'-a-tor" and "reel'-i-tee" !!!!
>> If you pronounce them with the extra syllable, you will
>> sound like a complete idiot.
>
> -----------------------
>
> Good point about the Realtors. Some of them will have a NEW-CLEAR (as
> opposed to nuke-you'll-er) meltdown if they read it, but you're right.
> Makes them sound like idiots.
>
> Go sign in at hondasuv.com and 'search' for 'tailgate' and 'latch'. I
> think you mean to say that the release handle is also dragging, or not
> releasing after you squeeze it with your fist also, right? It happens
> most in climates where salt is used on the roads. I've had a few apart.
> Don't use white lithium or you'll be waiting for a warm day to go in
> there AGAIN, like I am. :-) You'll figure out how to contact me if you
> need more help.
>
> 'Curly'

As it turns out, you are right---the release handle *is* not returning with
a snap either, "is dragging", or otherwise feels mushy.

I looked inside the 4x4 hatch. I have a genetic predisposition to being
UNABLE TO REMOVE HONDA PANELS, door or dashboard, so I failed miserably
there. Either the clips don't release (as with the door), or they snap out
entirely and fall within the chassis (as with the dashboard), or, or, or...
Too frustrating for me to face right now {author downs a prozac...}

So I put the door panel screws back in and did the best I could with the 4x4
access hatch. I'll do the best I can to explain it here.

The window lever thing on the left side of the tail gate is attached to a
piece of metal that slides along a curved piece of metal within the door.
This is rubbing with enough friction to actually stick. Heavy black lithium
grease carefully applied just there will get me through the very near term.

The curved piece of metal that it is sliding along looks like it is attached
to the handle and to the tail gate latch on the edge of the door. Here's
the thing: If I reach in with my finger and push the curved piece of metal
UP the extra 1/16" (or less!) then the curved metal is hardly contacted at
all and everything is smooth.

I have to wonder if there is a return spring or something similar broken, so
that the entire handle-curvedmetal-sidelatch assembly doesn't snap back
*all* the way.

Not sure----you said you've seen this a lot? I live in Massachusetts: there
is a /lot/ of salt dumped here...


--
http://www.allexperts.com is a nifty way to get an answer to just about
/anything/.