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glovebox issues

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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SirBrickWagon
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Year and Model: 1997 Volvo 850
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glovebox issues

Post by SirBrickWagon »

so, recently i got my car working for the first time in a few weeks, maybe a month. only problem is that my volvo likes to throw another problem my way once i get one solved. my glovebox won't open. the glovebox is unlocked and it still just won't budge. maybe the cable snapped because of the recent extreme cold here in calgary, but i've got a few things in the glovebox that are super important, any advice is welcome. i do not have a drill and will not be drilling my glovebox open either.
1997 Volvo 850 Wagon (Non-Turbo) with too many problems to count

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BlackBart
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Post by BlackBart »

We had this problem long ago.....early 2000's? On a long trip, couldn't get the door open. I carefully used pry tools and finally got it to pop open, but did a tiny bit of damage to the fabric edge. I think I replaced the latch. Kind of a brute force solution.

It seems to me there's a preferable method instead of what I did. I'd have to search for it.
ex-1984 245T wagon
1994 850T5 wagon
2004 XC70 wagon BlackBetty

crlande
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Post by crlande »

There is old thread. Involves taping the edges of box door to prevent tearing the covering, large amount of door bending which was doable, a hacksaw blade to cut the bars on latch, and then getting new latch parts. Did once, work slowly is my advice

454cid
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Post by 454cid »

Mine is stuck, too. I've seen various threads on getting it open, but never having seen it open before the pictures do me no good.... I can't tell what I'm looking at.

Where is the actual latch on the door? I tried reaching in with a pick but apparently it was not long enough to find anything.
Last edited by 454cid on 13 Jan 2022, 20:58, edited 1 time in total.
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)

2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400

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MoVolvos
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Post by MoVolvos »

SirBrickWagon wrote: 13 Jan 2022, 11:22 so, recently i got my car working for the first time in a few weeks, maybe a month. only problem is that my volvo likes to throw another problem my way once i get one solved. my glovebox won't open. the glovebox is unlocked and it still just won't budge. maybe the cable snapped because of the recent extreme cold here in calgary, but i've got a few things in the glovebox that are super important, any advice is welcome. i do not have a drill and will not be drilling my glovebox open either.
*

Spray some silicone grease with a nozzle tube into the key hole, latching area and any crack or opening that can reach the latch and lock. Insert key and turn it to lock and unlock position a few time. There is no cable in the locking


*
Blessings,

BKM


2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior

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BlackBart
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Post by BlackBart »

454cid wrote: 13 Jan 2022, 16:46Where is the actual latch on the door? I tried reaching in with a pick but apparently it was not long enough to find anything.
See #8 on diagram...

https://www.volvopartswebstore.com/show ... evel=24662
ex-1984 245T wagon
1994 850T5 wagon
2004 XC70 wagon BlackBetty

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BlackBart
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Year and Model: 2004 XC70 BlackBetty
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Post by BlackBart »

ex-1984 245T wagon
1994 850T5 wagon
2004 XC70 wagon BlackBetty

SirBrickWagon
Posts: 128
Joined: 26 October 2021
Year and Model: 1997 Volvo 850
Location: Calgary, AB
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Post by SirBrickWagon »

should also mention i am very open to any jerryrig solution, i might just pry the glovebox open enough to scrape some fabric away and unscrew the latch. does anyone know what might cause this in the first place, or is it just as mysterious as the origin of an 850's oil leak?
1997 Volvo 850 Wagon (Non-Turbo) with too many problems to count

SirBrickWagon
Posts: 128
Joined: 26 October 2021
Year and Model: 1997 Volvo 850
Location: Calgary, AB
Has thanked: 7 times
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Post by SirBrickWagon »

also haven't seen any videos on how to open the glovebox just by unscrewing it, just pictures. i could make one if all goes well.
1997 Volvo 850 Wagon (Non-Turbo) with too many problems to count

454cid
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Post by 454cid »

SirBrickWagon wrote: 14 Jan 2022, 08:49 also haven't seen any videos on how to open the glovebox just by unscrewing it, just pictures. i could make one if all goes well.
I think I saw some screws underneath the front edge of the dash under the door.... are those what you're referring to?
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)

2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400

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