Jump to content

89 reatta can't open glove box. Acts like lock won't release.


Guest rkb

Recommended Posts

I tried to open the glove box and heard a slight crack, now it won't release. It looks like the same lock switch as the storage compartments behind the seats.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The storage compartment latches will fit. If I recall correctly, they do have a different part number, but I successfully used one to replace my broken latch. The design is really poor. Plastic was an awful choice for a locking device. Now that the Reatta is 20+ years old, the choice is worse due to the plastic becoming brittle. While I did switch out the latch with the one on the storage compartment, that one broke as well. I was lucky enough to find a NOS latch. That was some years ago, and there are no more NOS latches out there any more. You might check with Jim Finn or another Reatta supplier to see if they have any working latches. Remember, they will be old and will most likely break again. You now have another issue, getting the glove box open with a broken latch. Some years ago I posted a procedure to open the broken latch and I was able to find it. Hope it helps: You will need a flashlight to see under the latch handle and a very small screwdriver. The kind you fix eye glasses. It helps if you recline the passenger seat and move it forward so you can rest your back on the seat while getting close to the glove box lock. Pull the handle out, don't worry about breaking it because it already is, till you see a little silver cylinder. With the screwdriver, try to rotate the cylinder toward the dash. You might "play" with that several minutes before you "hit" it just right. If you were as lucky as I was, the door will just pop open. The handle is toast and will have to be replaced. The problem, these latches should never have been made of plastic. They were pretty easy to break when they were new. Now, more that a decade old, they bite the dust very easily. I was lucky to find some new ones a few years ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The storage compartment latches will fit. If I recall correctly, they do have a different part number, but I successfully used one to replace my broken latch. The design is really poor. Plastic was an awful choice for a locking device. Now that the Reatta is 20+ years old, the choice is worse due to the plastic becoming brittle. While I did switch out the latch with the one on the storage compartment, that one broke as well. I was lucky enough to find a NOS latch. That was some years ago, and there are no more NOS latches out there any more. You might check with Jim Finn or another Reatta supplier to see if they have any working latches. Remember, they will be old and will most likely break again. You now have another issue, getting the glove box open with a broken latch. Some years ago I posted a procedure to open the broken latch and I was able to find it. Hope it helps: You will need a flashlight to see under the latch handle and a very small screwdriver. The kind you fix eye glasses. It helps if you recline the passenger seat and move it forward so you can rest your back on the seat while getting close to the glove box lock. Pull the handle out, don't worry about breaking it because it already is, till you see a little silver cylinder. With the screwdriver, try to rotate the cylinder toward the dash. You might "play" with that several minutes before you "hit" it just right. If you were as lucky as I was, the door will just pop open. The handle is toast and will have to be replaced. The problem, these latches should never have been made of plastic. They were pretty easy to break when they were new. Now, more that a decade old, they bite the dust very easily. I was lucky to find some new ones a few years ago.

I got the old one removed but the others are bad as well. I'll have to try to get replacement or junkyard ones. Thanks so much.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are scrounging the yards, also look in late-'80s to early-'90s Cadillacs. They used the same latches.

Thanks for the information. I'll definitely look into those as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...