Does anyone have the problem of the glove box coming open on it's own? Any fixes?

Thanks

 

I don't have the problem. But the whole things comes out with 5 screws, and you can take a look at it much closer then. 2 on the sides, 2 on top, and 1 in the bacl

Thanks
Dan
Pilo Racing

 

sid,

i have found mine will do it every now and then, but if i take most of the bull crap stuff out of there that i do not need. it works just fine. i think if there is too much stuff in there it bangs around. i try to keep just a map, the owners bookleet, my digital camera, and the talk-abouts. hop that helps. later chad

 

Don't worry - it just gets worse. It's most annoying at night with the light in the glovebox illuminating the interior of your car nicely for the police officer that just pulled up next to you, and enjoyed watching your ( 40 oz, AK, smoking supplies) whatever go flying out into plain sight!


But seriously, if you want to take it to the dealer, I have heard they replace the whole front door under warranty. I discovered the problem with mine is the hook was not catching the latch on the inside of the door - the spring was just not strong enough in the handle to hold the latch up to the hook. Try placing a small pliable rubber plug or some cardboard, styrofoam, etc. under the hook inside the door. Make sure there is enough "give" in whatever you place there that the latch can move when the door is opened.

 

Sid - my '03 MCS's glove box door popped open regularly (which was VERY annoying), however my '04 MINI's glove box door seems to have a bigger latch hook, and is quite secure - if anything it's now a bit tough to open!

I hate to say this, but maybe MCM <--(cringe) can replace your '03 door for a new spec '04+ glove box door.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Others have reported that the latch can be faulty on some MINIs so take it to your service dept and they will replace the glove box door which usually fixes the problem.

 

>>Does anyone have the problem of the glove box coming open on it's own? Any fixes?
>>
>>Thanks

Had the problem - kept getting worse - one trip to Crevier Mini and it was fixed and has never opened by itself again. :smile: :smile:

Earl

 

I'm not sure the MINI is the same but on older cars the catch for the latch was adjustable and I believe that's what they did to mine.

Earl

 

I read this thread earlier today and though you all were weird.....until it happened to me while running an errand shortly after. I guess that's what I get for thinking you folks were weird!!!

Anyways, mine just popped right open, and I know it couldn't be me since I haven't touched my glovebox in at least a month. I guess that's just one more thing for me to add to my growing list of things which need fixing.

 

Ahhhhhhh....Motor City Mini Just PSs me off when I'm strapped in the Schroth and the thing pops open while I'm going 110 at night. I'm lit up like a F-nn Christmas tree inside, can't reach anything and then having to make an emergency pull off

_________________

 

I wish I was kidding Sid!
Maybe this gives you an excuse to drive with us for our Pilgrimage to Classic MINI on the 30th! Give them a call and see if you can make an appointment for that day.

 

silver, i had the same problem---- everytime i hit a bump in the road the glovebox would open. just bring it back to the dealer. no charge and now when i close it - it stays closed.

 

I used to have a honda that did this, seems to be a fairly common error on new cars accross the board, either a week spring or installed improperly by the manufactuer, since this is one of the parts that is put in manually. , though I'm happy to say my mini never has had a problem with this.. I rember reading that the dealer will fix this, and to garuntee is doesn't happen again, get one of the glove compartment shelves to distribute the weight if your a pack rat. it will make sure that normal wear and tear won't fatigure your box in a couple years..

 

You just brought back an OLD memory. I had a 1966 Barracuda 273 Formula-S, 4 speed. It had a magnetic latch on the glove box. Every time I power shifted 1st. to 2nd. the glove box would fly open and empty, very quickly, the entire contents into the passanger seat (or passangers lap)... Haven't thought about that in years

 

>>You just brought back an OLD memory. I had a 1966 Barracuda 273 Formula-S, 4 speed. It had a magnetic latch on the glove box. Every time I power shifted 1st. to 2nd. the glove box would fly open and empty, very quickly, the entire contents into the passanger seat (or passangers lap)... Haven't thought about that in years

Sad Now. You made me think about my '68 Dart 273 Hardtop (340, 727TF, and Dana60 when she went bye-bye). I miss her, even if she couldn't corner worth a damn.

 

>>You just brought back an OLD memory. I had a 1966 Barracuda 273 Formula-S, 4 speed. It had a magnetic latch on the glove box. Every time I power shifted 1st. to 2nd. the glove box would fly open and empty, very quickly, the entire contents into the passanger seat (or passangers lap)... Haven't thought about that in years

I used to have an 86 mustang gt that would eject the passenger into the rear seat with a hard 1-2 shift due to a broken seat mechanism. Piece of crap car, but real reliable and fast. Oh and the burnouts... those were fantastic.

 

The glove box latch is adjustable and can be done in the comfort and privacy of your own garage . Mine (03/03 EB/EB MCS, JCW#316) popped open with regularity untile I adjusted the latch - hasn't opened on its own for several months.

Joe

 

Please elaborate I would very much appreciate a how to Thanks and happy Christmas.

>>The glove box latch is adjustable and can be done in the comfort and privacy of your own garage . Mine (03/03 EB/EB MCS, JCW#316) popped open with regularity untile I adjusted the latch - hasn't opened on its own for several months.
>>
>>Joe

 

Silver:

The claw on the glove box door mates with a plate in the upper rim of the glove box opening. This plate is fastened with two torx screws and, when loosened will move about 1/4 inch fore and aft. I think the plate needs to move forward to increase the grasp of the claw (but I could be in error). At any rate it is a trial and error system of adjustment until the door is firmly latched. Took me several tries before I was satisfied that the door would remain shut.

Good luck

Joe
03/03 MCS, EB/EB JCW#316

 

Thanks Joe. I will give it a try.

Sid

 

>>Does anyone have the problem of the glove box coming open on it's own? Any fixes?
>>
>>Thanks

I had a test drive where it was popping open randomly -- my co-pilot was getting annoyed. Mine does not have the problem and I hope it is not a wear-n-tear issue of a latch wearing out.

It certainly was annoying beyond belief.

Hey, look at me spin!. Put up the glove.!

Leave it. Watch this!

Stop playing with the glove. watch.

Aw hell. bring the car back.

 

OK folks, after working on this all day, I think I got a fix.

I called my dealer and heard this fix would take them an hour, didn't have the time, and the situation was getting real bad, every slight bump, glovebox would slam open, kinda embarassing. Here's my fix. I realized that the issue is not the weak latch, rather, the screws on top of the box, holding too tight.

SO:
1. Remove glovebox (5 screws, 2 on top, 1 in back, 2 by hinges)
2. Put a rubber washer (with some thickness) around the hole on top, on the right side, closest to the latch. You may want to try and slide the notch thingee (the metal bar) back 2-3 clicks as well.
3. Re-install glovebox (a little harder than I thought)
4. Re-attach air conditioning hose (also, lots of fun)

The washer succeeds in keeping the screws loose enough to allow the box to close and stay secure.

Pretty easy operation actually. Questions, PM

Wow, writing how-tos is fun

 

Super Glue would work

Great write up,glad it is now fixed

 

I tried Joe's technique and it worked. Just loosen the two bolts (they're not torx, though) and moved the catch back as far as it would go then tightened. Just like that, in 2 minutes and the door is secured. Hasn't opened since. Thanks again, Joe.

 

my glove box has NEVER poped open on its own. It may soon