1st Gen R52 Cooper Convertible Glove box stuck

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by museicmn, Feb 21, 2011.

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  1. museicmn

    museicmn New Member

    Oct 12, 2010
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    I did a search here, but couldn't find anything here, I guess the first question is, when you lock the glove compartment, does the handle still move and the glove compartment just doesn't open, or does the handle not move at all?

    My handle moves, both in the lock and unlocked positions, but the glove box doesn't open. Never locked it before, so not sure if it's an issue of the glovebox just won't open or the handle is stuck in locked mode, hope that makes sense?

    I don't have a lot of stuff squeezed in there, in fact I had just bought an organizer and everything was neat and in place.

    Thanks
     
  2. andyroo

    andyroo New Member
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    My 05 glove box got stuck closed as well. I found a way to open it by pulling the handle and with another finger wiggling in the hole (geez) you can get the latch inside open. Took me about 30 minutes of cursing the first time, now its like 3 seconds. I call it an extra locking safety measure now since i'm the only one that can open it.

    The handle and latch connection or whatever somehow broke. Instead of buying a whole new glovebox i just use my finger method.

    - andrew
     
  3. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    I didn't know you could lock the glove compartment.

    Jim
     
  4. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    The convertible MINI comes with a lock on the glove box door for obvious reasons. If you want to also put a glove box lock on your hardtop, the locking mechanism fits the same hole.:D
     
  5. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Thanks MM. I did not know that. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  6. museicmn

    museicmn New Member

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    Thanks for that suggestion Andyroo, I will give that a try after work. I think my Mini and I have grown close enough for the finger method (geez indeed)
     
  7. georgiekittie

    georgiekittie New Member

    Apr 12, 2012
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    Which way is unlocked?

    I held up the handle and felt around the hole for a little while last night (and now I feel like I should buy her dinner) but I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for.

    Also, it's been stuck for so long I can't remember which position is locked and which position is unlocked. Should the slot for the key be horizontal or vertical as I'm trying this?

    Thanks!
     
  8. beken

    beken Well-Known Member
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    I bet this thing fell off.
    [​IMG]
     
  9. beken

    beken Well-Known Member
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    I don't know how to put that part back on but it looks like that extrusion is the part that allows the lock on the door handle to work. Otherwise the glove box handle does not lock.

    Here's a video on how to open your glove box of the handle no longer works.




    If you don't need the lock, then a carefully bent paper clip or a long staple for a staple gun can work.

     
  10. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Good info !!
     
  11. john kelly

    john kelly New Member

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    Hi Beken

    I've just registered here in the hope that you can help me.

    I have broken my wife's glove box but now can get into it thanks to the videos you posted.

    I too have that little thing which did fall off!

    Can you advise how to reinsert it?

    From the inside I can see two holes on the handle where the lugs likely fit and I could maybe clip it back in with needle nose pliers but which way round does it fit? Is there anything else I need to beware of?

    Hoping you can help.

    Many thanks

    John
     
  12. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Jul 31, 2009
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    Welcome to MA! Braking your wife’s car does not lead to happiness. :D
     
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  13. beken

    beken Well-Known Member
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    Welcome to MotoringAlliance, John.
    I did not try to reinsert the plastic piece that fell off as it would simply fall off again soon in the future. I cut off a piece of metal from thick paper clip and bent it into a U shape and the ends out. then I hooked it around the latch and the ends of the bent to fit back into the holes on the handle that previously held the plastic piece that fell off. Pulling on the handle would pull the latch down.

    Being metal, it is less likely to fall off again in the future, but I lose the ability to lock the glove box.
     

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  14. 06DCMini

    06DCMini New Member

    Jun 13, 2020
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    Brilliant regarding the finger in the Mini's hole, beken! Made my day, and also opened the glove box.
     
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