Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by How.com.vn Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. How.com.vn's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards.
This article has been viewed 34,580 times.
Learn more...
Why in the world do they call it a glove box anyway? Well, back when the horseless carriage, a.k.a. the automobile, was first invented, the compartment was invented to store your driving gloves.[1] Even though you may now mainly use your glove box to store your vehicle’s owner’s manual, sunglasses, and extra napkins, they’re still a useful storage space. Sometimes your glove box can break and become difficult to open or lock. Fortunately, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue on your own. To make the task a little easier, we’ve answered a few of the most common questions about what it takes to get the job done.
Steps
Get Car Support Solve Any Problem
We’re sorry we don’t support the car you are looking for. Please enter its make, model, and year below so that we can add support for it.
How do you fix a glove box that won't open?
Download Article
Add some motor oil to your key and try unlocking the glove box. Sometimes if the internal mechanism of your lock is stuck or rusted, it can make it difficult for your key to properly unlock it. Take some standard motor oil, add a drop to your key, and rub it over the surface so the key is fully coated. Then, slide the key into your glove box and try unlocking it.- Don’t force the key too hard or it could snap off and ruin your lock for good.
- 2Spray brake cleaner into the lock if the oil doesn’t work. If lubricating the lock with motor oil doesn’t do the trick, you can try blasting away any corrosion or dirt that may be caught in the internal mechanism. Use spray brake cleaner, place the nozzle against the opening of the lock, and spray the cleaner directly into the lock. Then, try unlocking the glove box with your key to see if that works.
- You can find brake cleaner at your local auto supply shop.
Advertisement - 3Hire an auto locksmith if all else fails. If you’ve tried everything and you just can’t seem to get your lock open, it may be time to call in a professional. Look for auto locksmiths in your area and have them take a look at your lock. They’ll be able to figure out what the problem is and tell you what needs to be repaired.[2]
- A professional locksmith is also your best bet if you want to avoid any possibility of damaging your lock.
How do you unlock a glove box without a key?
Download Article
Contact a locksmith to avoid damaging your glove box. If you don’t have the key for your glove box, the only way to open it without damaging the lock or your dashboard is to hire a professional. Look for auto locksmiths in your area and contact them to come and take a look at your glove box. They’ll be able to open it for you and can replace the lock with a new one so you can use a key to lock and unlock it.[5]- 2Try prying it open with a screwdriver as a last resort. If you don’t want to hire a locksmith, and you aren’t worried about potentially damaging your glove box, you can try to force it open with a flathead screwdriver. Slide the screwdriver into the space where your glove box connects to your dashboard and pry it open. Once you’ve wedged it open enough, you can try pulling the glove box open.
- Keep in mind it may be really tough to pry the glove box open and you’ll more than likely damage your lock.
Expert Q&A
Tips
- If you really aren’t sure what to do, try contacting a professional auto locksmith.Thanks
Warnings
- You may damage your glove box beyond repair if you try to pry it open. You could also cause damage to your dashboard that could be expensive to repair.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22313202
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/key-stuck-in-lock/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/V3iWsq-O-SY?t=132
- ↑ https://www.breakerlink.com/blog/maintenance/fixing-glove-box-latch/
- ↑ https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2020/01/22/4-situations-when-you-need-to-hire-a-car-locksmith/28902/
- ↑ https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/auto-repair-labor-rates-explained
About This Article
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
