The latch on my glove box does not work. I cannot get the glove box open. The handle just spins. I have never had the glove box open. I tried to reach from the underside, but I did not get it open. I just cut my hand on something sharp. I pushed the cardboard up so I can reach up and feel the mechanism, but I don't know how it actually works. Can someone take a picture and post it so I can see what to reach for? Thanks for any help.

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'71 Dart Swinger

It is similar to the trunk mechanism, there is a thin bar of metal attached to the dash frame on the top lip, parallel to the longer length of the box, and then the latch mechanism has a hook that slips into the bar of metal.

Hm, what car is this on? On my 71 duster, theres no way you can push the cardboard box aside to reach the lock mechanism. If you could, that means you may of ripped the cardboard because there are several screws around the perimiter of cardboard holding the box to the frame.

Try using a screwdriver or something thin to pry back on the door gently while turning the knob.

The car is a '71 Dart Swinger. I am pretty sure I destroyed the cardboard insert to reach the mechanism. I figured that was the only way I could get it open. I would rather ruin the cardboard than ruin the glove box door. Turning the knob does absolutley nothing. It spins freely and catches nothing. There is a small hole in the knob. I tried inserting a paper clip to see if it would catch something but it did not. I even turned the knob slowly while pushing the paper clip inward hoping to line up with another hole so it would catch. That didn't work either. I will look at the trunk mechanism and see if I can understand what you are talking about. I am sure if I knew how it worked I could open it from the back side. Thanks for your help.

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'71 Dart Swinger

Well if you ruined the cardboard then just rip the whole thing out, and peak under the dash to see if you can spot the loop attached to the frame. Then look for the two screws holding it to the frame. You may not be able to reach them easily though, especially with the heater box in the way.

Yeah, I may just have to do that. I can't see anything with the heater box in the way. I could barely get my hand up there. I may just have to take the heater box out to get to it. Oh well, the weather is getting nice. I won't need the heater for a while. I am hoping I can figure out how it works and just reach back up there and unlatch it.

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'71 Dart Swinger

If all else fails rip that carboard crap out and replace it with a plastic insert. Well the cardboard is out if you shine a flashlight up there you'll see the door lock mechanism hinges on a bar, there should be two screws hold them, undo the screws and even if your door lock's screwed up you can open it. This just might be easier than needlessly taking the heater core out

Anyway, I that should be right, think your dash is the same as my year.

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My car may be slow to sixty, but at least it's been reliably slow to sixty for more than thirty years.

So where would one find the plastic replacment for the glovebox? The cardboard one in mine is shot. It is for a 1965 Valiant

You probably guessed the first answer, Ebay, but also the junkyard. Many have them. I don't know you dash layout though. I'm not sure if the design was different, I don't believe they're different then even my 73 Dart glovebox.

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My car may be slow to sixty, but at least it's been reliably slow to sixty for more than thirty years.

Thanks for the tips. I am going to take a look at a '74 Scamp tonight to see exactly what it looks like in there. I would love to have a plastic insert.

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'71 Dart Swinger

Awesome! I figured they were the same, guess I'll have to go pick one up for my Valiant! Thanks!!

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Scott - waywardgarage.com
Why is the rum always gone?

I just put a 74 plastic valiant glovebox liner in my 70(came with cardboard) valiant. It fits nicely BUT you need to get those little clips that are made to slide over a metal tab so a screw can have somthing to bite onto.

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