glove box woes

[cloud1974]

my 94 530i glove box seems to be stuck in the closed position no mater how i turn the key lock it just wont open, the handle seems to just move freely with no resistance.

i have removed the hinge parts to no avail it wont open. id check my repair manual for the fix, but ironically its in the glove box. and that holds the diagram for the front of the engine so i can pin point the part that the coolant is freely flowing from, although i have a feeling in my gut its the water pump. its either coming from where the cooling fan attaches, or the pulley that is to the left of the tensioner under the fan as you look at the motor from the front. and i have found via online sources the fan attaches to a fan clutch which is attached to the water pump. and either way im not all gung-ho about pulling apart the front half of the motor with out some sort of guide to help me make sure i dont muss it up. although im sure the logic of BMW creation would not let me if i were to be careful. but id really like to get that manual.

[darkhorse737]

i'm not following

what is the part that you are looking for in the glove box???

[cloud1974]

glove box will not open by the handle thats one issue, the repair manual is in the glove box which is what i need to repair the coolant leak.

[Suzanne]

I am also trying to open my glove box. The handle moves but the box won't budge.

[cloud1974]

Wish some one would speak up already been 3 weeks and im about to the point of just ripping it off.

never store your repair manual in the glove box, apparently.

[Gurlugon]

My '91 525i's glovebox is also stuck. It seems to be free on the right side and gummed up on the left.

[LOS]

Try pressing holding and pressing in with one hand and try using the key/grabbing the handle with the other. Most likely, the strap or rail needs to be adjusted. I had a similar problem on my E39.

LOS

[marti5]

Water pump, here are instructions for a 7 series, I would have thought that they are basically the same procedure, well see what think.

BMW E38 Water Pump Removal and Replacement

If you click on the purple underlinned words, they are a step by step.

[cloud1974]

Originally Posted by marti5

Water pump, here are instructions for a 7 series, I would have thought that they are basically the same procedure, well see what think.

BMW E38 Water Pump Removal and Replacement

If you click on the purple underlinned words, they are a step by step.

7 series *drools* i want to graduate to a 7 in the next couple of years.

Unfortunately the step by step i had a mechanic access for me mentioned the removal of the harmonic balancer to access a few of the bolts, so im gonna play it safe and wait. i don't want to move forward until i have exactly what i need.

However he did also look up on how to open a stuck glove box which im gonna try in a bit as soon as it stops raining (argh) if you lift the handle all the way up as if you're opening it, it is apparently possible with a pair of needle nose pliers to get up behind the handle manually influence the latch to release.

also on models where the handle is trimmed out by a frame like piece that piece can be removed and then the entire handle/ latching mechanism is exposed and then can be worked with the same needle nose pliers as the ones you would use to reach up behind it and maneuver the release. if not entirely unscrewed and removed from the door.

not sure how accurate any of that is as i haven't tried them yet i will post what i find, probably tomorrow if it doesn't rain (again)


but i do thank all of you for your assistance.

gosh i love my E34 530i

[M60Mike]

The problem is most likely in the lock mechanism. This is a known issue with the e34's. There are a couple ways to force the glovebox open, if you don't mind bending things to do so. The best approach is drilling out the lock and replacing it, though from that point on you'll have to carry two keys...I don't believe that lock is re-keyable. Iin any event, I've yet to find any way to 'finesse' the glovebox open otherwise.