Glove Compartment Won't Open

[dpz8]

My glove compartment won't open. Seems to be permanently locked. I tried using the key to unjam it but no help. Any suggestions?


I believe I ran across posts in regards to this problem a while back but was unable to locate the tread.

[macfly]

I also can't find the previous threads on this subject, which I remember had an exploded view of the mechanism. Anyhow it is a very common fault with the cars, and to the best of my knowledge there has never been a suitable fix. I have replaced the latches on three of my Z8's, and they have all malfunctioned again. I'm sure that you've already checked, but make sure that the lock on your phone compartment cover opens, as it is locked by the same circuit that locks the glove compartment, a couple of times I've though that the lock was dead again when infact it was just the electric lock doing it's job.

[dpz8]

The center phone console still opens. Is there some other way to open the glove compartment? I am curious on how BMW Service would open it to replace the latch?

[macfly]

The best way from my memory is with the key inserted, turn it one way, wiggle it, try the latch gently, turn the other, and repeat, until it eventually catches and opens. Be gentle, it doesn't take force to do it, once it aligns properly it opens easily, if you try to force it you'll just break it, and it'll then be a real pain to get into.

[harvey2]

When my latch failed on a trip a few years ago I could not get to my passport and wallet which I had stored in the glovebox so was a bit desperate. So I fiddled around with it for about 15 minutes or so and finally got it open by adding a bit of upward pressure by hand from the bottom of the glove box door near the hinge. I don't know why this helped, but it worked several times before I got the thing fixed.

[macfly]

I just found the old thread, it wasn't here it was at the old place, but it seems the diagrams are lost.

from 2003
We need someone who can make us good one. I have taken two apart myself now and the mechanism is a very simple pair of plastic plates that slide over each other. As you pull the latch down one plate slides over the other, and as it does a spigot in it moves along a groove that in turn pulls in the two outer catches. The reason it keeps failing is that its made of plastic that is to soft and flimsy for the stress this puts on it.

If an engineer took these two small plastic pieces and cast, milled or fashioned them from something stronger like aluminum or steel, then the issue would vanish. The design looks fine, it seems that it is just the components are too flimsy to support the force of the action.

I will have a look at mine once more, and see if there is a way to get a better one made up, as we spoke about it, but never did it.

[Lupin]

This website is absolutely, FANTASTIC.
Today my glovebox would not open so I tried pushing from the bottom, as suggested by Harvey.
It didn't work pushing, so I gently hit it from the bottom a few times with my hand and ...voila' It is now open.
So now I can access the fuse box and see why my radio is not working...

[LarryG]

Speaking of the fuse box within the glove box, can someone explain how it is accessed. Can the cover be removed?
Thanks,
LarryG

[Lupin]

yes you can remove it , there are a couple of clips on the side, work on that and it will open.
Before that you may want to push or pull, I don't remember exactly, the clip far away (the one forward) so the fuse box will come down vertically and then will be easy to open it.

[keith1998]

I recently had my broken but still electronically functional glove box latch replaced. The new $400.00 latch assembly once installed would not function electronically to lock and or unlock the GB and Center Console. The BMW classic division in Germany has no solution. My BMW shop cannot solve the problem,
has anyone else experienced this issue with GB electric lock?

[Mike Smiley]

Hello Friends! I have been looking at this thread but didn't find any answers if the issue is with BOTH the glove box AND the center console. Putting the key in the glove box, I am hearing an electronic switch for the center console but (1) it's still not opening and (2) the glove box remains locked. I am flummoxed. Fortunately, I don't have a passport stuck in there, but my favorite driving gloves and registration are being held hostage ... as well as the fuses.
Any insights?

[macfly]

There's a small white moulded plastic slider that is notoriously bad, it wears quickly and easily and is the cause of the latch not working. It isn't really affected by the electric lock, however trying to open it while it is locked will cause and/or aggravate the issue, so I always suggest using the key to open it.

I don't have a clear illustration of it, but the part in question is item 16 on the parts list screngrabbed below, with 2003 prices. If someone gets one, we should arrange to get an aluminum one machined from it for everyone, as this has been a persistent issue.

[Mike Smiley]

Thanks MacFly, and this would "jam" the center console as well? I'll check on the part. If you have a source that can machine an aluminum one, I'll plan to buy two if they're not $2,500 like everything else on this car (ha ha).

There's a small white moulded plastic slider that is notoriously bad, it wears quickly and easily and is the cause of the latch not working. It isn't really affected by the electric lock, however trying to open it while it is locked will cause and/or aggravate the issue, so I always suggest using the key to open it.

I don't have a clear illustration of it, but the part in question is item 16 on the parts list screngrabbed below, with 2003 prices. If someone gets one, we should arrange to get an aluminum one machined from it for everyone, as this has been a persistent issue.

[LarryG]

Although I don’t yet have a glove box latch problem I called my dealer earlier today to order an “extra” latch assembly (#16 on the above diagram). What was listed years ago at $65 is now over $400. Seems like I won’t have an extra.

[macfly]

Yikes, that's crazy madness, make me happy to not have one anymore!

[GaZ8fan]

Gents, I talked to Tyler at Euro Speedwagon about the latch mechanism. He subsequently talked to a guy he has worked with in the past who has a doctorate in automotive mechanical engineering. They think they can fabricate an improved piece as Andrew has suggested. They are going to take apart my faulty latch as well as a new one and then go from there. Hopefully I’ll have something to report back to you guys in the months ahead. Tyler recently did the same thing with a NLA part on early M3’s.

[macfly]

Amazing, awesome and thank you!

[jawz]

Thanks…standing by to hear the results1