I have noticed lately that when I go to lock the center console the little arm that holds the door closed wobbles alot, enough so that I can easily open the door even when its locked. I usually put my head unit, wallet, and sometimes my dig camera in there when i leave the top down, so I really need to get it working right again. I took off the cover on the inside of the glove box and tightened the nut that holds the lock arm on, but that didnt really help much. Do I need to purchase a whole new lock assembly? Or is there some other retainer that helps hold it down that needs tightening somewhere else like on the drivers side??

Thanks in advance

 

It has to be positioned very carefully fore/aft for the lock to engage the cover. Too far back, and you can't get the key out, too far forward and it doesn't latch. Also, the hole is just big enough to fit the right size socket for snugging the lock down. I think the lock can be rotated a bit and retightened to get more travel on the locking tang.

 

Well, the lock itself has a flat spot on the outside that corresponds to the flat spot in the panel. That panel is just plastic and sometimes that flat spot gets a little rounded which causes the lock to rotate. If the lock rotates, so does the little arm. Make sure the nut around the lock is tight and the lock is centered in the panel (not twisted one way or the other).
The arm also has a flat spot that corresponds with the lock. Even if the screw was loose that holds it on, it still should lock because of that flat spot. But that flat spot can get worn as well so the arm doesn't stay tight with the screw and won't latch all the way.

OK, I know. So far I probably haven't told you anything you don't know already. If the lock still fits tight in the plastic panel, the easiest thing to do is get a new lock. Then you'll have to take it to a locksmith to get it coded to your door key. If you don't mind having 3 keys for your car, you can skip the locksmith. The lock is pretty cheap, probably cheaper than the locksmith. Go on line and contact Brasingtom GM (www.gmotors.com). They have the best prices on new Chevy parts that I know of.

The problem with that lock is, it's only as strong as that plastic panel it's in. It's easy for someone to break in to with just a screwdriver. Sticking it in the lock and twisting hard will break the flat spot on the panel and the lock will turn which opens the glove box door. To make your lock more secure once you get the new lock, take a square piece of aluminum or steel and re-enforce that flat spot on the panel and secure it with some nice machine screws. I say machine screws because you should double-nut them from the inside so they can't be loosened from the outside.

But to remove the panel you'll have to remove the drivers seat and the seat belt bolt on that side as well as the other "easier to get to" screws.

For a quick fix, you can put a thicker washer around the shaft underneath the arm which raises it above the end of the shaft. This way, when you tighten the screw it also tightens the arm. If you can't find the right washer, grind or file down the end of the shaft a bit so it's below the surface of the arm. Same thing.

I don't know how much help this post will be to you. It's just the obvious stuff that any C4 owner has to fix sooner or later. When you get it fixed you can answer the post from the next guy who asks about fixing his glove box door lock. I hand my legacy down to you, haha.

As you can tell, it's a slow day at work.

Good Luck.

BIG JIM