Glove box is stuck closed...what to do?

[jkarolyi]

Hi all,

Went to open the glove box on my '70 911T and could not open it. I think the PO locked the glove box and I don't have a key. Any methods on how to open it?

Thanks in advance.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Screwdriver ,pry the **** out of it.

Kidding, take it to a local GOOD locksmith, he'll be able to pick it.

[addictionMS]

itis magnetic, try pulling harder

[84porsche]

It should be the same key as your ignition/door key unless the car was rekeyed.

[buttjoint]

PULL!

[jkarolyi]

>itis magnetic, try pulling harder

I pulled pretty hard...is it really only a magnet holding it shut even if it's locked?

I tried putting the ignition key in it and the whole lock just spins around...I think the lock mechanism is broken. Can a locksmith still open it or should I try to drill out the lock? I have a good neighborhood locksmith down the street.

[speeder]

I would sacrifice the cardboard part of the glovebox, (it's replacable), and just access it from the inside. Makes a lot more sense than destroying what is probably a perfectly good lock, (w/ a loose fastener), what is the mystery here? It's not exactly Fort Knox.

[Todd Simpson]

This happened to my '71.

At the top of the door is a spring loaded pin that latches the door closed. Mine became disconnected from the rotary knob, so regardless of turning or pulling, the spring inside the knob keeps the door closed.

You can jimmy the door open, but only from the inside. My solution was to take an old credit card and cut a section of the middle out so it's hook shaped.

Slide that through the opening on one side of the latch, then move it to the center and pull back towards the latch. You'll push the pin down into the door and open it.

That is, of course, if you have exactly the same problem I did.

I kept that card in the door pocket for years.

[jkarolyi]

I like the credit card idea...got to be quite an ace using them all the times back in college when I was locked out of my dorm room.

Will report back.

[jkarolyi]

Isn't this board the greatest?

Your idea worked like a charm TodSimpson...took less than a minute! In case anyone else has this problem, cut up a credit card like I did, slide the slot around the lock tab and pull the card out slowly while pulling a little on the glovebox too. Here's my credit card:



Thanks again.

[speeder]

The real trick is to cut up one of your wife's cards to do this, maybe screw it up the first time and have to cut up two.

Glad that you got it open, can you fix it now?

[pwd72s]

I coulda sworn I posted a reply...but I don't see it now. My suggestion involving a loose lock fastening nut. Hmmmm, could I have been banned?

[1980SC]

I'm trying to do this to my SC's stuck glovebox and I'm not having any luck. I've gone through two credit cards and almost an hour. Any other suggestions or tips?

Thanks,
Rob
1980SC

[Dan in Pasadena]

Rob, Todd Simpson's idea sounded best, but barring that (you say it won't work) take it to the oldest little Ma & Pa locksmith in town and the (almost for certain) old codger in there will be able to jimmy it open. I found the oldest lock shop in Pasadena and my "codger" is a magician!

[DaveE]

It pays to fly Delta.

[bigchillcar]

my '74 developed this problem yesterday. damn thing is holding my removeable face part of my stereo hostage.
ryan

[bigchillcar]

i'll be damned if i can get it open with the credit card trick. my lock still works just fine with the key..just won't open when i turn the knob. i don't want to destroy it opening it. anybody think that a locksmith could get it open?
ryan

[porsche930dude]

maby it would be helpful to post a picture of the latch so you get a better understanding of how it works. My car is an 82 sc. You definatly wouldnt be able to do it with a card. If the lock is spinning your jam nut is probrobly loose. Good news is its accessable from the backside so you can push in the catch. might have to use a tool or maby a small hand to squeze past the box.

[bigchillcar]

porsche930dude...thanks for the pics! man, i wish i could remember if that's what my '74's looks like. that could explain why the card didn't feel right going up once i slid it in from the bottom left! everything feels normal on the outside. the mechanism turns to the right like always to open and if i turn the key to the left it locks the mechanism.

???

[bigchillcar]

other problem is that i've got dealer-added a/c which i'd have to drop the ducting for to even get to the bottom of the cardboard box itself.