HELP!! Glove Box Problems!

HELP!! Glove Box Problems!

Author
Discussion

wolfierg

Original Poster:

3 posts

269 months

Friday 28th December 2001
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I just purchaced a 1985 TVR 280I with 8700 original miles. I am the third owner and the glove box has never been opened. How in the world do you open the glove box??? I hope someone can help me, It is driving me crazy!
Thanks, Rich G.

jmorgan

36,010 posts

285 months

Friday 28th December 2001
quotequote all
Is it the push type?

wolfierg

Original Poster:

3 posts

269 months

Friday 28th December 2001
quotequote all
If it is a push type, it is broken. I have tried pushing, pulling, prying, everything that I can think of. There is no button or key slot anywhere on it or near it. Someone said that it may be electric, but I can't feel any wires going to it and there is no switch or push button. If it is a broken push type, do you have any suggestions on how to get it open with out damaging the door or glove box. I can not drive out the hinge pins because they are partially recessed into the door of the glove box, driving them out would damage the finish on the door. I can see a very small part of the front of the latch through the top of the door, it seems to be flat with a split down the middle from top to bottom, I tried to pry the two sides apart but nothing moved. If I do damage the door while trying to get it open do you know if there are replacements available?

Brm Brm

217 posts

275 months

Friday 28th December 2001
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Well its almost definitely a push-n-click type if there is no keyhole - I've never heard of electric gloveboxex. New catches used to be about £2.99 from B&Q although I haven't tried to find one for a few years. How to get into it is tricky if it is really jammed but the first thing to try is hit it - hard! Seriously, try several short sharp but hard whacks with the side of your fist in the vicinity of the catch and with luck it will pop open. Might be worth trying to gently prize it open after each blow just in case the catch releases but it sticks on the trim.

Other options involve getting under the dash and

a. If its the same as a 350i accessing by removing the fuse board from the back - although it depends how that has been attached whether you will be able to - and undoing the 2 screws holding the catch from the inside by touch. Tricky but might be possible.

or

b. Assuming the latch is on the left side of the box, see if you can find where the screws holding the latch protrude through the dash moulding. If you can find them cut/grind/drill them out to release the catch. Cant think of anything else but I'm sure comebody else will.

Good Luck!!



Edited by Brm Brm on Friday 28th December 23:14

shpub

8,507 posts

273 months

Saturday 29th December 2001
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The fuse panel is attached by self tappers from the inside so unless its mounts are broken this is a no no. Replacing the front wooden panel is preferable to braking the fuse panel which is getting harder to get.

The only way I can think off is brute force or cutting a hole from underneath so that you can get a hand inside. The GRP can be glassed back into place.

The panel is no longer available but as it is a pice of veneered plywood this is not a problem apart from cost!

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

jmorgan

36,010 posts

285 months

Saturday 29th December 2001
quotequote all
Just a thought, how about some release oil like plus gas in the hope that its corroded and will release?

Preston1990

104 posts

271 months

Saturday 29th December 2001
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Just a bit of lateral thinking guys that would save any expense incurred by damaging anything!!

You could just leave it stuck shut!!



complete TVR postcard collection one day! Preston1990



hk350i

13 posts

269 months

Sunday 30th December 2001
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I had the same problem on my 1985 350i. I released the glove box door by carefully inserting a 90 degree oil seal pick behing the veneered door, pushing the door and then pulling to open the door. The catch on my door is located in the centre at the top. It turned out that the door on my car was binding quite tightly on the dash board trim. I have a digital photograph of the opened glove box which may be useful for your reference.

Ray wood

Preston1990

104 posts

271 months

Monday 31st December 2001
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What a brilliant idea!!

Stick the digital photo to the dash and it will look like the glove box is open!!




complete TVR postcard collection one day! Preston1990

jmorgan

36,010 posts

285 months

Monday 31st December 2001
quotequote all
But you will need different photo's. One for when the cell phone is in, another for the lipstick or the gin bottle, other wise how will you know whats in there

mrcrappy2000

14 posts

268 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2002
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Hi, just found this forum and i appear to have had most of the problems on here, my catch was stuck because the bolts holding the dashboard in were twisting it and gripping the glove box door tightly, two bits of "L" shaped sheet steel with protective tape round them slotted behind the door and then pulled with 2 pairs of pliers seemed to do the trick for me, a new catch can be bought from wedge automotive for about £4-5 (0114 2817507)