Here's a dumb one. The console glovebox in my 86 spt coupe has jammed shut. The button doesn't do anything to release it. It doesn't depress or do anything else. The problem is I have no memory of what the mechanism looks like or even how it worked. I have tried sticking thin objects in there in the hope of releasing something with no luck. If I could get a general description of the type of latch that the thing uses it might give me a clue about how to release the fool thing. Otherwise, I will have to get violent with it. I can get others at the local boneyard but I'd rather just open the original. Besides, I need the equipment list. I think it's under the cover.

Thanks much all.

 

Crowbar? :shrug:

 

pry that **** open, lol. no im only kiddin, lol, u should be able to fiddle with it and get it open.........i think?

 

Thanks much for the replies thus far.

This thing is driving me nuts. It sounds stupid but I am having problems getting the car through NJ emissions inspection. I improved it from barely driveable to not too bad but I still have some distance to go. One of the problems is that my XRAY scanner is looking for fourth gear and converter lockup. This is all a good trick with a manual transmission. Both of these items don't apply to my 5 spd. Soooo--thinking--always a dangerous thing for me--I began to suspect that the car has the wrong PROM in it. Soooo-again thinking--did someone do a trans swap on this thing before we ever owned it. There is also a code 24 for the vehicle speed sensor. Soooo-besides needing my registration and insurance docs in the glovebox I'd like to see the optional equipment label. I believe it's under the lid. Therefore, I want to open the _)(*& thing without committing too much violence on it. Although, I am getting to the point where it would feel good.

I hope all this isn't too stupidly confusing. In any case that's why I am trying to figure out what the latch looks like. Is it a bar with a catch on it, a post with a release or ?????

 

its just like a clip thing, not much to it, heard to beleive u cant just apply alittle pressure and pull it up while messing with the latch...... just to clear things up, we are talking about the center console box correct? or are u talking about something else?

 

Thanks IceMan-

Yes, it is the center console. I guess I have to take a deep breath, hold down the console in front of the lid and yank. I wanted to be sure there wasn't anything too robust there. I've had the console out before. It's not the worst job in the world but it's no fun either.

Thanks again.

Ted G

 

yea its not too bad, i attempted repairing my lid before, them screws are a pita if ur not patient lol.... id try messing with some flat head screw drivers in there or something, just do it nice and easy

 

Don't break it just yet, I am taking pics of my extra console right now......

 

Here's a pic of the latch itself. Between the 2 screws there is supposed to be a little tab that come out and then curves up a little (it's missing from this console, but you can see where it broke off at.) When the lid is closed, this little tab catches on the hole in the console.....That pic here in a sec....

 

And the pic....

 

Here is the hole that the little tab goes into on the console. It looks like if you take a very thin piece of metal or something you should be able to push back on the small tab and release it from this hole. I think there is only a few millimeters of overlap... you wouldnt have to move the tab very far.

 

yea thats what i was trying to explain, lol i woulda took pics but my car is at my fathers house on jack stands at the moment waiting for the weather to let me finish my motor swap. lol. well good luck with that, youll get it

 

Wow!!

Thanks, this is major league help. Digital cameras and good people are some of the best inventions ever.

I'll let you all know how this turns out, probably in the morning.

Thanks again.

Ted

 

if your talking about the RPO code listing, Its in the trunk compartment. I dont think it's listed under the glove compartment lid.

 

since 1990 they've been in the rear compartment. Our friend's 86's RPOs are inside the center console box

 

um my 91 rs has all the RPO's in the glove

 

And my 91Z in my sig's got 'em in the glove box too??

Ted, I'm glad to help out with the pics. The camera was sittin there and I was workin on the console to put the new button into it......sooooooooooooooooo......

Hope it helped..

 

try lifing up on it and pushing it side to side might open it. mine was off and thats what i use to do to open it.

 

Morning all-

I pushed, pulled and prodded the mechanism. No go. Mild violence seemed in order. The front of the glovebox door\cover is shaped so a hacksaw blade can easily slide completely through. I cut off the part that goes into the latch mechanism. Voila, I was in. The latch is jammed so at least I have the satisfaction of knowing there wasn't anything to do but what I did. The whole thing seems somewhat useless anyway. It's not likely to rattle. Besides, the thing rattles like a cattle car anyway. I consider the noise a form of Camaro music.

The RPO codes are under the lid. I am in the process of checking them out. It looks so far like the car is original, built in Ohio with a five speed.

Anyway, thanks for all the help. Now, on to the emissions problems.

Ted G

 

Hahahahaha.....all that work, only to break it on purpose in the end. Congrats on the car. Soon you will be posting a thread "How do I replace the console button????"
I should take some pics now......just in case.......

 

You have all that right. Actually, knowing what I was breaking before I did it was good. Otherwise, if I just pulled up on it, I know I would have wound up at the junkyard looking for a new glovebox assembly or maybe even a console

I may wind up shooting this car anyway. This thing was in the garage waiting for me to play with it. I used it on and off for a number of years. When it would build up too many problems I would take it off the road. Then I could take months to play with it.

This time I need it now for transportation. Naturally, stupid intermittant problems and vacuum leaks(a pile of em) show up causing all kinds of havoc. The worst part about it is that it runs well enough to drive it without hurting anything. It's the big red failed sticker from the NJ emissions inspection that's a real nuisance. I am getting closer though. I am down to, I think, a problem with the vehicle speed sensor and a troublesome vacuum leak. It's that like little vacuum manifold like assembly behind the left cylinder head that's doing it right now. I am about to go out to the garage and try some clamps on the thing to see if I can tighten it up. If it works, great Otherwise, I have to find new parts or adapt something. The location of the thing is a real stinker and that is of no help at all. That may force me to replace parts rather than clamp anything. No real room to work back there. I just hope in the end I don't have to do what I have been avoiding and that's pull the intake manifold and everything else in sight to fix the thing. So far the plenum leaked but I think the manifold is tight.

Anyway, thanks for the words of advice and the good humor.

Ted g

 

Sounds like you have all kinds of fun Camaro projects in front of you. Good luck on the emissions stuff. I'm sure glad I don't have to deal with it all down here. I'm sure you will get her back on the road......Good Luck