Upper glovebox, got a couple questions

[GoGo97GTI]

So I scored this upper glovebox at the pick-a-part yesterday for $8. Couple problems though: The lock is busted, the right hinge is cracked off, and it's the wrong color. So here's my questions. Does anybody know how I could go about getting a new lock assembly and hinge? Is the keyhole keyed to the car or will any key do? What is the easiest way to make this thing black, dye or plastic spray paint? Appreciate any help

pics for clicks:

[GTI_UNIT]

i got the handle assembly from the dealer, don't know if it's still available, and you can use plastic spray paint to paint it.

[VT-MKJett]

i got the handle assembly from the dealer, don't know if it's still available, and you can use plastic spray paint to paint it.

I have never really looked around about these. They came in some MK3's in NA? What is the deal with them?

[Wetzeb]

I have never really looked around about these. They came in some MK3's in NA? What is the deal with them?

Early carts in NA 93-94. The one you posted is a Euro I believe though. It's been so long since I looked at them though. One has plastic running almost the full face the other just has it around the handle. I assume the handle is NLA though. Good luck.

Installing is as easy as removing the airbag and putting it there. Make sure your state law will allow this. Don't want to give advice and you get a ticket.

[georgeboole]

eack keyhole belongs to a different key as far as i know

when i changed mine i put the old lock in

i really don't know if the lock can be changed for your key like they do in door locks for example

[Wetzeb]

Some of the keys are slightly interchangeable. Like the one I scored from the junkyards key just so happens to work but my lower glove box is different.

[LG6R]

So I scored this upper glovebox at the pick-a-part yesterday for $8. Couple problems though: The lock is busted, the right hinge is cracked off, and it's the wrong color. So here's my questions. Does anybody know how I could go about getting a new lock assembly and hinge? Is the keyhole keyed to the car or will any key do? What is the easiest way to make this thing black, dye or plastic spray paint? Appreciate any help

Generally speaking, you can't get replacement handles from the dealership anymore. There might be the slight chance that some dealership somewhere in the country would have one hidden in a corner long forgotten but probably not. The chance is miniscule. Rule of thumb with gloveboxes for me is that if it's not complete, it's not worth it. Finding parts is near impossible. Your best bet would be finding a handle in the classifieds from a Canadian. These came on 93-94.0 mk3's. Mk3's sold in the USA had airbags from 94.5 and up. Canadian cars didn't get airbags until a little later I believe so there were more cars sold there with upper gloveboxes and thus a better chance to find parts there.

I wouldn't paint it. It won't match the dash perfectly, and will crack and fade quickly. It's a high-wear location in the car and will be sitting in the hot sun. Not a prime candidate for dyeing or painting. Forget the broken hinge, one is enough.

Each lock has different keys (duh!). But there's only so many combinations of keys you can make so there's always a pretty good chance you can find a key that fits if you have a pile of keys to try. Or you can change the lock if you have another one where the key fits. You'll have to change the handle anyway and the lock is part of the handle mechanism. I have a key for mine but never lock it. All a thief will do is break the handle and the glovebox is worth more to me than anything I would ever keep in there anyway.

Long story short: looks like you wasted $8. Sorry. If you really want an upper glovebox, get a black one that doesn't have any broken parts from the classifieds and be very careful with it.

The one you posted is a Euro I believe though. It's been so long since I looked at them though. One has plastic running almost the full face the other just has it around the handle.

Short handle came in the Golf.
Long handle came in the Jetta.
The handles are not interchangable.

[Harris_Teeter]

Generally speaking, you can't get replacement handles from the dealership anymore. There might be the slight chance that some dealership somewhere in the country would have one hidden in a corner long forgotten but probably not. The chance is miniscule. Rule of thumb with gloveboxes for me is that if it's not complete, it's not worth it. Finding parts is near impossible. Your best bet would be finding a handle in the classifieds from a Canadian. These came on 93-94.0 mk3's. Mk3's sold in the USA had airbags from 94.5 and up. Canadian cars didn't get airbags until a little later I believe so there were more cars sold there with upper gloveboxes and thus a better chance to find parts there.

I wouldn't paint it. It won't match the dash perfectly, and will crack and fade quickly. It's a high-wear location in the car and will be sitting in the hot sun. Not a prime candidate for dyeing or painting. Forget the broken hinge, one is enough.

Each lock has different keys (duh!). But there's only so many combinations of keys you can make so there's always a pretty good chance you can find a key that fits if you have a pile of keys to try. Or you can change the lock if you have another one where the key fits. You'll have to change the handle anyway and the lock is part of the handle mechanism. I have a key for mine but never lock it. All a thief will do is break the handle and the glovebox is worth more to me than anything I would ever keep in there anyway.

Long story short: looks like you wasted $8. Sorry. If you really want an upper glovebox, get a black one that doesn't have any broken parts from the classifieds and be very careful with it.



Short handle came in the Golf.
Long handle came in the Jetta.
The handles are not interchangable.

You have a good DIY on the install IIRC

to the OP, my glove box is openned and closed with velcro...not the 'coolest' thing, but it functions

[georgeboole]

just be careful when having it locked...those handles break really easily

and you can find a european part i believe it was mid or the end of 96 that they started putting airbags in those

[GoGo97GTI]

I was able to find the handle on German eBay but it's like $30 to get it here. I'll take the earlier advice of checking around in Canada.

I realize that resurrecting this thing is gonna be a tiny money trap, but I don't really care. Sometimes you gotta have something that you did yourself. I am going to give the painting thing a try to see if I can match it up. I've done some reading on the subject and it seems that if you take your time and use the right products, you can get a lasting paint job on there.

Appreciate the input.

[Phreshnphunky]

I was able to find the handle on German eBay but it's like $30 to get it here. I'll take the earlier advice of checking around in Canada.

I realize that resurrecting this thing is gonna be a tiny money trap, but I don't really care. Sometimes you gotta have something that you did yourself. I am going to give the painting thing a try to see if I can match it up. I've done some reading on the subject and it seems that if you take your time and use the right products, you can get a lasting paint job on there.

Appreciate the input.

I can get those handles still from my supplier, along with anyone else that is in canada.

They aren't cheap though. The last time i had to replace the locking mechanisms in my upper glove box, it was roughly 30+ before taxes.

I'll check for you tomorrow at my local parts shop and find out exactly how much it costs.

[Tneuf]

eack keyhole belongs to a different key as far as i know

when i changed mine i put the old lock in

i really don't know if the lock can be changed for your key like they do in door locks for example

Is there any trick to getting the old lock out of the handle to put it in a new handle or do you have to break it out?

[LG6R]

Is there any trick to getting the old lock out of the handle to put it in a new handle or do you have to break it out?

The lock cylinder is held in by 4 tabs. Once you remove the handle by unscrewing the 3 screws on the inside of the glovebox lid (as pictured in the first post), you'll see what you need to do. Pry the tabs away from the cylinder but be extremely gentle not to break the tabs.

[VDub2625]

There was a website selling the handles for $10. As for a broken hinge, you're SOL.

But that looks black to me?

[slaughter555]

The upper glove box in my 93 jetta has its handle broken off and i didn't want to go through trying to find a new handle and install is and just have it break again so i just took a dremel and cut a slot big enough for me to fit my finger in and push the switch down to unhinge the glove box manually, and i can still lock/unlock it.

[Tneuf]

The lock cylinder is held in by 4 tabs. Once you remove the handle by unscrewing the 3 screws on the inside of the glovebox lid (as pictured in the first post), you'll see what you need to do. Pry the tabs away from the cylinder but be extremely gentle not to break the tabs.

Thanks, I figured that was it I just didn't want to mess with them if there was some other special way.