Hi Guys,

Lately I've been forced to pay special attention to the glove compartment, it keeps unlatching on the inner side (the side of the door closest to the transmission). Since this door latches on both the left and right sides, this just creates a bit of a gap as you view it, but it also turns on the inner courtesy light. I can only hope that this light times out after ignition off too.

The good news is that I found the problem's cause. This door latches using horizontal plastic rods, one on each side. Pull on the handle to open the door, the rods retract towards the center of the door. Let the handle go and the rods extend (like they are on a spring) and will catch and latch into spaces on the dashboard once the door is closed. It appears the inner end of each rod is connected to the handle / locking mechanism in the middle somewhere.

On my car the rod on one side is slow, it is like it is fighting something sticky as it tries to extend into its fully extended position. Since this recovery action, moving to fully extended, is slow - it never fully extends without a bit of extra care. In other words slaming the door shut allows the rod on one side to fully extend, creating a solid latch, but the faulty rod can't move enough to fully extend so it is holding on by its fingertips. A few bumps or a few minutes later its hold dislodges on that side creating the gap.

The fix for now is to manually hold the door closed for a count of 1 2 3 4 5. That extra time allows the rod to extend and work properly.

I posted this for 2 reasons:
1) to help someone else diagnose this fast if they ever run into it someday

2) to ask if anyone has ever worked on these latching mechanisms? There is no way to apply lubricant from the outside (tried it doesn't work). Looks like I've got to get into the guts of the latch to figure out what is binding. Does anyone know how to open this piece of the glove compartment door up?

This is probably super rare, but hey I figured I'd ask.

 

John,

I no longer have an XK8 but recall the operating rod mechanism as you describe.

Does the JTIS lock cylinder removal/refit procedure look as if it would give you access to the inner ends of the operating rods?


(click on the image to enlarge it)

Graham

 

Not likely as rare as you think...I've got the same issue! Many of us, suffering silently with glovebox doors slightly ajar, will appreciate you solving this problem and posting photos.




.

 

Yep, me too!

 

Same issue here, although I was able to improve it by using some silicone spray on that side of the rod and working it in & out until it was somewhat smoother.

As a result mine will stay latched, you just have to close it correctly. Pull handle, push door closed from that side, release handle.

 

I had this problem some years ago in my 98 XK8, and I fixed it, but for the life of me I can't remember what I did, the mists of time have obscured the solution. I do remember it wasn't too complicated nor did it take very long.
Perhaps if I don't think about it, it will come to me...
Sorry,

 

Mine, too. Used a bit of lubricant spray and it improved, but I agree we need to be able to access the mechanism to do a proper job, and I couldn't figure out how to do so. I look forward to hearing if someone has had better luck.

 

I'll take a look this weekend, will publish my findings / fix. Thanks for the inputs!

 

My XK8 glove box latch pins stick, too. I have read your extensive remedy but I'm confused:

The latching mechanism is completely contained in the door - it's not connected in any way to the glove box itself, so why is it necessary to remove the door to clean the old lube as you have described?

What am I missing here? Thanks.

Sam

 

Sambo, wow let me think back. I think you found the initial question thread. As I recall I followed up as promised about a week later. You do not need to remove the door. I found that cleaning the silver metal piece underneath and behind the plastic glove door latch on the front fixed it right away. As I recalls the lube they used gummed up. I used a QTip (aka cotton swab) to clean / lube this mechanism.

Sorry but I'm up to my elbows in grease right now so I can't look it up for you. Try a search on my name this time period. I'm sure I posted the solution with details. If you run into a roadblock just post and I'll help you out later today.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ow-fix-152622/

Here's the link Sambo.

 

Thanks for confirming, John, and for the correct link. No need to complicate the job!

Sam