Locked out of my glovebox

[5thhorsemann]

Seriously?? Did you read post #6?

It was a joke, get it.................

[sblake01]

I guess we're even.....mine was sarcasm and not a bit serious. So much is missed in the written word.

Edited March 6, 2012 by sblake01

[Captain Obvious]

Unkle,

I agree that picking that simple lock would be child's play, and a lot better of a plan than prying or drilling. However, before he feels he has to resort to any of that... (prying, drilling, or picking), I offered up what I believe to be other completely viable options for him to try first.

My point of contention was that I believe the suggestions I provided were, informed, thoughtful, non-destructive, and wouldn't cause any more damage to anything that hasn't already been done, and best of all, they are instant and free.

It was an opportunity for me to give back to the forum for some of that which I've gained, and it was an attempt to share some of my recently acquired detailed knowledge of the inner workings of the Z locks with a fellow forum member and try to help him out of a jamb.

What got my goat is that my informed, thoughtful, non-destructive suggestions were being cast aside as improper, damaging, low quality advice. That's what it sounds like to me when you call my suggestions shade tree advice and tell him "the right thing to do is let a pro deal with it !."

I should be better than to react as I did. I should have just let it go, and I'm sorry that I did not contain myself.

[Captain Obvious]

knarfrabot,

Here's some pics of the glove box lock, so you know what you're up against. Looking at the back side (inside the glove compartment side) it's clear that you would have to pull down on the latch to open it, not push up as I suggested before. It looks like coat hanger wire with a little hook on the end should work great for this. Hope this helps!

Glove box lock:

Cylinder with no key installed:

Cylinder with correct key installed:

Inside of the lock shell with cylinder removed:

[knarfrabot]

Thanks a lot everyone! I'll take the majority of advice and not go medieval on the lock, but get it open in a reasonable manner (I think I just wanted an excuse to install a tv in place of the glovebox ). Just cause I'm cheap though, I'll try to open it myself first. Worst case I'll take it to a locksmith and have to shell out a few bucks, but anyway I'll let you all know if I can get it open tomorrow.

[knarfrabot]

Wait a second...sblake, I am the current owner of the z in your picture!! Is the glove box key the same as the ignition switch/door key? P.S. How's the gsxr?

[sblake01]

Yes, same key worked on all locks. GSXR???

P.S. Do you mean literally the same car?? I know that the person I sold it to did sell it again.

Edited March 7, 2012 by sblake01

[knarfrabot]

Yeah, the same exact one, I bought it off the guy you sold it to, that's how I know about the bike.

[sblake01]

I never had a GSXR. I've owned several bikes in the past but nothing for 15 years. Or do you mean he (the onwer in between) had one? How's my old Z? Sounds like you've had a few problems with it. It never gave me any trouble in the 12 years I had it other than having to replace the radiator, alternator, and starter not long after I bought it. Besides that, nothing but routine maintainence. It's probably time to change my avatar.....done.

Edited March 7, 2012 by sblake01

[knarfrabot]

Oh, nvm I guess the guy I bought it off had one, he had mentioned something about a trade, I guess he was talking about something else. I've only had to take it to a shop once, cause the air flow meter went out, other than that its been running great, no maintenance I wouldn't expect out of a 30+ year old car. Yeah its funny cause I noticed the bra at first, but really its the color code that sticks out on it, I rarely see other Zs with that paint. When I saw the other pics in your profile, the sound system was what gave it away.

[FastWoman]

knarfabot, if you try jiggling/wiggling/picking, you are more likely to have success with a small spritz of WD-40 in the key cylinder.

I remember driving around a Cadillac we bought cheap from a donation lot. The glove box was locked. We had all sorts of theories as to what might lie inside -- cash, drugs, a gun or knife. I finally pried the thing open, and it was empty. To my surprise, I actually didn't bust the latch (although I don't recommend it in your case!!), and I was able to wire a paperclip to the latch for opening it thereafter.

[grantf]

WOW! um, did you get the glove box open?