Upper glove box stuck?

[BMSman]

91 850i. I can lock/unlock the glove box ok and the lower compartment opens and closes just fine but the upper compartment will not open. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[Hattat]

Where is the upper and lower compartment? Am I missing something in my car?

[bruinbro]

Early 8s have 2 gloveboxes. The upper one was replaced with an airbag on later models.

[Hattat]

Yeah I noticed right now. Thank you

[FLT ENG]

I had the same problem with my '91.
Had to pry it open, to get access to latch mechanism, and replace broken part,(pot metal).

[Larkin660]

My 93 looks like it has the upper glovebox, I was very bummed when I found out there's an airbag there

[Chamberlin]

Early 8s have 2 gloveboxes. The upper one was replaced with an airbag on later models.

I just accidentally bought an older '92 upper/lower glove box set off eBay, just to try and get a locking mechanism to replace my broken pot metal latch... Ironically, the parts didn't even come with the latch that I needed. But now I'm tempted to convert my airbag upper to the glove box storage (I always remembered how cool that two button double door setup was in the early '89-'90 promo videos).

It seems the dual button latch mechanism is still available and I should be able to transfer over the control ring and lock tumbler... But I have two other concerns...

First, does anyone know what ohm resistance the pass. airbag circuit is looking for if I were to install a resistor in place of the airbag? And second, in reviewing some nightmarish posts on 8'er heater core replacement (mine's fine thankfully) I see that there might be some support tubing that was added on the airbag/knee bolster cars in the USA. Will that tube block the possibility of the upper glove box installation anyways?

Thanks for any info

[TxGR8White]

It is easy to do, I did it to my 93 many years ago. Since most airbags get a bit squirrelly after 15-20 years, I made my vehicle an "airbag delete" car. Neither driver nor passenger airbag now in the car. The tube support for the airbag was simply removed.

[Chamberlin]

Very cool! Well I guess now I have a game plan! Do you remember how you got past the SRS light from coming on? I have some 3.3 ohm resistors I was going to use on my 2002 Z3 M Roadster a few years ago but ended up selling the car. Not sure if 3.3 Ohms is appropriate for E31 airbag modules...

I've also got a Euro 3 spoke steering wheel to install too, and you make a good point in disabling these 20-some year old 'bombs'.

[TxGR8White]

It's even simpler than adding a resistor. I disabled the SRS light. I have the non-airbag 3-spoke M-tech steering wheel also. That upper glovebox really does come in handy.

[Chamberlin]

It's even simpler than adding a resistor. I disabled the SRS light. I have the non-airbag 3-spoke M-tech steering wheel also. That upper glovebox really does come in handy.

Haha, yea I guess disabling that light would just about do it! Ironically, the 3 spoke Euro wheel I bought has it's own SRS red light on it (must have come from an early car that didn't have a dash airbag light).

So how did you disable the SRS light? nip/tuck behind the cluster kind of thing?

[toomanyparts]

Aren't the materials used for the early and late models different? Does it match decently?

[8eights]

it is but not by much, I bought a new upper glove cover and it was different from my 2 year younger model but it did fit the same after a few hot summers.

[Chamberlin]

Aren't the materials used for the early and late models different? Does it match decently?

Hahaha ya know I didn't even check! I've got the parts sitting in the pass. footwell... I will take a look and maybe take a photo to compare...

[TxGR8White]

The upper I got from a 91 matches the lower material on the 93 perfectly.

[8eights]

Mines didn't for some reason, It's just a little off in the pattern, Cost me over $200 for the lid itself.