Assistance needs in the glove box department

[jdritchey98]

So I was sitting in my mj the other day while in town and went to put something in my glove box. I went to open it and it wouldn't so I thought maybe I locked it, so I stuck my key in and found out it was unlocked. So now my issue is my glove box with my registration and a couple other things are stuck in it.

 

Any ideas how I can get it to open?? Of you ouch the button on the passenger side in it stays in unless I stuck something thin inside and push it back out.

 

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[mikekaz1]

I just went out and looked at mine... its dark out but it appears that that whole assembly/door is plastic welded together. With a dual pin style catch on the dash itself. Id say just try yanking on it. Worst case it breaks and its just a couple 10mm bolts to pull it off and get a junkyard replacement

[johnj92131]

Take your radio out, then you might be able to see to get the latch unscrewed or pushed free.  Might want to take a look at a Cherokee in the Pick a Part yard.

[Keyav8r]

You might have solved this by now, but thought I'd share what I know. I have the dash out of my truck and just took a look at it to see if there is a way to reach the back side of the latch without removing the dash. It doesn't look like you can get to it through the radio opening. The glove box is molded plastic and fits closely against the firewall and heater/AC box. If you have the dash tilted back you might be able to reach in through a small rectangular opening in the back of the box with something and release the two pins of the latch that are designed to retract into the latch housing when you squeeze the buttons. The latch assembly is held in place by a "U" shaped clip on the inside of the door.

If you have a JY nearby with '86 - '92 XJs, I agree with johnj92131 that you should go there and see how the latch works and if there is a door there you could use to replace yours if necessary.

The glove box door (on my '91) is attached to the dash by a continuous "piano" hinge that is riveted to the dash and bolted to the door. There is a "catch" part that the latch mechanism locks into that is screwed to the top of the glove box, which also has the switch for the glove box light. I don't think you can force it open without damaging either the door or the dash, or both.

The colored cover of the latch clips on and can be removed with a small screwdriver. That will expose the ends of the two levers that retract the pins when the buttons are squeezed. You might be able to move the levers and open the door at this point. If not, you could then remove the buttons and try again. If that doesn't work, you could carefully cut the rest of the outside part of the latch away with a Dremel and then it should fall (or be pushed) through and the door should open.

If you can't pick up a replacement latch from the JY I'll send you a gray or tan one for $5 plus shipping. Since the colored part of the latch just clips on you might be able to reuse it.

PM an e-mail address and I'll send you photos of the latch and clip, a partially disassembled latch and the inside of the glove box door with the latch installed (still technologically challenged and haven't mastered posting photos).