Glove box won't open | FerrariChat

Glove box won't open

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by jungathart, Aug 6, 2004.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    Hi
    I need a little help figuring out this problem: on my 83 Mondial QV, depressing the switch to release the glove box will not work. When I manually pry it open I notice that if I push up on the plunger and depress the switch than it will hold up but cannot do it from a released position. Is there not enough current to the solenoid to magnetize it all the way up?
    How would I fix this?
    Thanks in advance. Will give feedback.
     
  2. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Switches go bad, but so do solenoids. Solenoids also get sticky, try lubricating it first with WD40 or equiv. If that doesn't do it I hope you have a good volt/ohm meter (every Ferrari do it yourselfer should) and check the voltage at the solenoid, it should be very close to batt voltage. If so put a solenoid in it, if not go back to the switch and check there.
     
  3. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    Hi Brian,
    WD-40 did not work. Would it be prudent to go to the fuse box and replace the 5 A fuse with an 8 A to allow more current to the solenoid?
    I am not able to access the solenoid itself to touch the voltmeter to it: I think I would have to take apart the glove box itself.
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall

    Fuse amperage shouldn't make any difference, But if your car still has the old style ceramic fuses, corrosion on the ends at the point of contact could. I don't think that will fix your problem but it can't hurt to try. You can always go straight to the switch ck voltage there and bypass the switch to eliminate those as the culprit.
     
  5. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    I do have ceramic fuses and will check for corrosion.
    Is there any trick to correctly popping out the switch to test it?
     
  6. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
    11,148
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Chris
  7. BWS550

    BWS550 Wants to be a mod

    Apr 1, 2002
    8,933
    NEW JERSEY
    Full Name:
    BRUCE WELLINGTON
    .....USE A STIFF CREDIT CARD TO OPEN

    THEY WANTED $400.00 TO FIX THE BOX IN MY TR.....FORGET IT...
     
  8. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    Hi,
    I was referring to the switch on the console itself. I am already using an old credit card to trick the hatch open
     
  9. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2004
    2,371
    Argent/Brasil
    Full Name:
    Guido
    Try to turn the switch several times on/off. Most likely the internal contacts have some oxidation on it. By turning the switch on/off, the oxidation will dissapear.
    Guido
     
  10. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

    Feb 22, 2003
    10,213
    San Antonio
    Full Name:
    Russ Turner
    What worked for me was:
    Disconnect battery
    Buy a spray can of Radio Shack electric contact cleaner
    Spray it into the switch through the sides
    Immediately cycle switch many (25+) times quickly
    Allow to dry one - two hours
    Reconnect battery
    Works fine now.

    hth, your results may vary.

    good luck
    rt
     
  11. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,844
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    I have the same problem with my '84 Mondial QV. Pop the button and the compartment doesn't open. I'm going to try the contact cleaner suggestion and see if that works. Plus clean the solenoid also. Of course, yesterday I was driving around and the thing just popped open on me for no reason. Go figure. LOL

    Regards,
    Steve W.
     
  12. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
     
  13. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,844
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
     
  14. jungathart

    jungathart Guest

    Jun 11, 2004
    3,376
    NoVA, AmeriKa
    Full Name:
    Komrade Jung
    Will post, Steve
     

Share This Page