Glove Box Door Won't Open

[jimjim]

Brand new '13 FJR and the glove box door will not open. When I turn on the ignition I can hear and feel the solenoid latch click/move, the button will not move and the door will not budge. It kind of feels like the button is stuck in the down position but I can't really tell since I don't know what a working one looks or feels like. Any ideas on how to get the door open? I hate taking my bike in to the dealer and would prefer just to fix it myself.

 

[Aasland]

On older FJR's we just pry the door open.

 

[Old Guy]

If there's a chance of breaking, it I'd sure take it to the dealer while it's under warranty.

I plan to remove this "feature" from mine.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Take it to the dealer, it's a warranty issue.

What if you get it open and it does it again next week?

AS far as taking it to the dealer I worry when I know they have to take the whole bike apart to fix something.........this sounds like it's probably an easier fix than that.

 

[rushes]

Not sure about '13 models, but on my 08 a thin but stiff piece of plastic about 3/4" wide will open it. Slide it in and push straight down.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Anyone ever tried opening it with a credit card??

 

[kamal]

Anyone ever tried opening it with a credit card??

On my '04, a credit card would be too wide.

However, if you took the bike and the credit card to a dealership - I'm sure it could be opened.

 

[Old Guy]

Anyone ever tried opening it with a credit card??

On my '04, a credit card would be too wide.

However, if you took the bike and the credit card to a dealership - I'm sure it could be opened.

Dang! You beat me to that little witticism.

 

[jimjim]

Take it to the dealer, it's a warranty issue.
What if you get it open and it does it again next week?

AS far as taking it to the dealer I worry when I know they have to take the whole bike apart to fix something.........this sounds like it's probably an easier fix than that.

Oh if I get it open it will never lock again. I have no need for that door to be lockable.

 

[Old Guy]

Oh if I get it open it will never lock again. I have no need for that door to be lockable.

I sure understand that, but do you need it to latch?
But the thin plastic does sound promising -- maybe a thin piece cut out of a milk jug?

 

[majicmaker]

Being new, it could have a little pressure on it. Turn the ignition on and try pushing down on the door then push the bottom.

 

[jimjim]

Not sure about '13 models, but on my 08 a thin but stiff piece of plastic about 3/4" wide will open it. Slide it in and push straight down.

This worked perfectly using my little key ring grocery store scan card. Thank you very much!

I'll take it apart and try to diagnose the problem tonight.

 

[jimjim]

Being new, it could have a little pressure on it. Turn the ignition on and try pushing down on the door then push the bottom.

Tried all that, there seems to be something wrong with the button as it doesn't spring back up. There is no spring tension whatsoever on the button.

 

[ionbeam]

Even though you don't want the dealer to touch your bike, look up the price of a new glove box and ask someone that has changed one how easy it is. Since the bike is under warranty you can avoid a lifetime of annoyance by letting the dealer take care of it. The odds of the dealer being able to fix the problem is low so the odds of getting an entire new glove box is good. At least get the issue recorded by the dealer.

 

[Fred W]

That's 'sperience talkin' right there. And I've seen the velcro "repairs" that prove it.

 

[FJReady]

After your dealer agrees to fix it, have him take the solenoid latch/lock thing and toss it. What good is a 'glove box' that can only be opened when the key is on or bike running in neutral or what ever it is? there's no real security under a thin plastic cover.

 

[Fred W]

It's a lot like making people take their shoes off to go through airport security.

If people think they are safer, well the world is a much better place...

 

[jimjim]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="ionbeam" data-cid="1081401" data-time="1373919640"><p>
Even though you don't want the dealer to touch your bike, look up the price of a new glove box and ask someone that has changed one how easy it is. Since the bike is under warranty you can avoid a lifetime of annoyance by letting the dealer take care of it. The odds of the dealer being able to fix the problem is low so the odds of getting an entire new glove box is good. At least get the issue recorded by the dealer.</p></blockquote>

Lifetime of annoyance??? Ha I don't keep bikes that long. I've already removed the box, not that big of deal. Found the problem is a very small piece of cracked plastic in the latch mechanism. Fixing with a bit of epoxy glue.

As far as I'm concerned that box is about useless, it gets way too hot to keep any electrical device in there. I'm going to do away with that powerport and hardwire my GPS to that circuit. I'll then add a 3 Circuit Solution from Eastern Beaver for a couple Powerlet BMW style ports.

 

[Fred W]

Lifetime of annoyance??? Ha I don't keep bikes that long.

I'm assuming he meant the lifetime of the bike, not your lifetime, Jim. (I assume that your name is Jim, right?)

I mean, even FJRs need to be replaced eventually.

Or at least so I hear...