Repairing a glove box that won't open!

Reading time 5 Min.

Recently updated on December 20, 2022 at 11:05 am

Does the glove compartment in your vehicle no longer open? Luckily, to fix the problem, there are a few tricks to try. Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions on this topic. So how do you fix a glove box that won't open? First, you should put a tiny amount of engine oil on your key and try to unlock the glove box. Sometimes the internal mechanism of the lock is stuck or rusted, preventing the key from turning properly to unlock. Use regular motor oil and put a drop on the key. Spread this over the entire surface to cover the entire key. Try to slide it into the glove box and unlock it. But don't overdo it with the pressure on the key, so that it doesn't break off and the lock finally breaks.

Spray brake cleaner into the hole if oil doesn't work!

If lubricating the lock with engine oil is unsuccessful, you should blow off any rust or dirt with a spray brake cleaner that may be jamming the internal mechanism. Hold the nozzle against the lock opening and spray the cleaner directly into the lock. Now try again to unlock the glove compartment with the key.

If necessary, hire a car locksmith!

If all of these measures don't help and the lock doesn't open, you should let an expert do the work. Contact a car locksmith in your area. The experts will determine the problem and explain what repair is necessary. A skilled person like a professional locksmith is the best choice to avoid damaging the lock.

Repair broken lock on the glove box!

Use a lock replacement kit that is compatible with the make and model of the car. A broken glove box lock must be replaced with a new one. You can find suitable spare parts at your local car dealership or on the Internet. Follow the instructions to remove the old cylinder from the lock body, insert the new one, and then lock it in place. Every lock is different. With the right tools, you might even be able to do the job yourself. For example, some locks require unscrewing the mounting plate inside the compartment. However, most locks have pins that must be pushed down to slide the lock out. Small tools such as an awl or a clothes hanger are suitable for this.

Repair of the latch on the glove compartment!

One option would be to fit a replacement latch that is compatible with your vehicle. Purchase a new bar that matches your car's make and model at your local store or online store. Remove the old latch by unscrewing some screws at the bottom of the latch and attach the new one. Fasten all the screws you removed to attach the latch. Now try a few times whether the glove compartment can be opened and closed to make sure that you did everything correctly

Unlock the glove compartment without a key!

In order not to damage the glove compartment, you should have one Fitter get help. If you've lost the key to your glove box, getting professional help is the only way to open it without ruining the lock or dash. Hire one car key service around you and ask him to take a look at your glove compartment. The experts can open it for you and replace the lock with a new one in no time. You can then use the key to open the door comfortably and as usual.

Last resort: open the glove compartment with a screwdriver!

Unless you don't feel like calling the locksmith and don't care too much about damaging the glove box, you could try using a screwdriver break up. Slide the screwdriver into the opening between the compartment and the dashboard and pry it open towards the bottom and back if possible. By wedging it wide enough, you can attempt to pry open the glove box. However, you should note that breaking open the glove box can be quite a challenge and is really difficult. There is a high probability that you will damage the lock and you can also injure yourself.

Cost of repairing a glove box!

Prices can vary greatly depending on the brand and model. There are spare glove compartments that cost €500. However, if only a small part such as a latch or handle needs to be replaced, it is much cheaper than a complete replacement. In addition, car repair shops can incur costs of €50 to €150 per hour worked. A simple repair can take around an hour, while a full replacement can take several hours of work. Let's say you need a complete glove box replacement at a cost of $500 and the auto repair shop wants to charge you $100 an hour and the job takes 3 hours, that could cost you up to cost €800.

Tip:

• When in doubt, you should discord contact a professional car locksmith.

Warning:

• Repairing and breaking open yourself could result in irreparable damage to the glove compartment. You could also damage the dashboard and this repair would be very expensive.

The following note is essential: For safety reasons, tuningblog recommends all repair, inspection and maintenance work exclusively to be carried out in a specialist workshop! Although our information is summarized to the best of our knowledge and belief, we cannot assume any liability for the content. All information is therefore "without guarantee".

Of course, that wasn't the end of it!

In this tuningblog category there are guides and instructions for common defects/repairs on the vehicle and for installing accessories/tuning parts. Our articles explain in a simple way common defects and the corresponding repairs, as well as explaining how the first signs of a defect become noticeable. In most cases, we also have initial clues to the repair instructions in our repair instructions approximate The costs of the pending repair are listed. The goal of our subcategory “Auto Repair Guide“ is to create a head start in knowledge for the next visit to the workshop with initial tips. This may save you from tedious troubleshooting and small things can perhaps be done directly on your own. The same applies, of course, to the installation of accessories/tuning parts. Here, too, we would like to help with the implementation with instructions and tips. There are many other posts on this as well. Below is an excerpt of the last and HERE there are all previous instructions:

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