Glove box light never turns off...is this normal?

[sammeh]

The glove box light does not turn on when the car is off, which I'm assuming is normal, but when the car IS on, it won't turn off. Even when the glove box door is shut, you can see the light coming through. I've tried turning my lights dial, and it makes no difference if my low beams are on or turned off.

The glove box itself is missing the latch, but it still seems to close properly. The unit itself isn't in as great as it could be though--it's a little wobbly and it doesn't seem that the back of the unit is attached to the front of it the right way.

Should the light always be on? If not, what might be the problem? Should I spend the money to replace the entire glovebox, or would that not even solve the issue?
Thanks to anyone who can help

Edit: Oh yeah, and this is a 2001 Beetle GLS I'm talking about.

[Toad]

the switch that turns the light on and off is on the backside of the glove box. it could have come out of place and therefore get stuck on.

its a pain in the butt to get the glove box out.

you need to remove the 3 center parts of the dash top part near the windsheld slides off, bottom peice is held on with 4 screws (2 behind the front side blanks, or heated seat switch covers, and the middle part with the radio and heater controls comes out with 4 screws accessible after you take the bottom part out, 2 screws under the top part, and 2 screws behind the radio, and then the glove box side comes out with the removal of like 8 more screws.


so you're gonna need a t-20 torx screwdriver, and the radio removal tools.

[jailor8]

Mine the plastic was coming loose from the frame. Causes the door to sag off the switch, light comes on. By use of epoxie, some extra screws here and there, before I carefully re installed the complete glove box assembly fised mine.

Jailor8

[sammeh]

Okay, so I definitely don't have the patience or skills to take out the entire glove box... When I bought the car there were a few random screws throughout the back of it, and I found out they go on the plastic bit below the glove box door. It's hard to explain exactly what I mean, but the plastic on this part is completely cracked so that the screws don't hold the piece in place. When I push the piece up like it's supposed to be, the glovebox seems to sit normally. Will this stripped piece included in the glovebox assembly, if I were to buy an entire new glovebox? Or does it have a certain name so that I can buy it seperately?

[jailor8]

Or you could do what I did and go get you some black, say #10 or so 1 inch long trim screws. The kind with the bent washer made on them. Then carefully drill some matching holes near the busted out ones, all the way thru the lower dash brace, But NOT into the fan or housing. Then put a spacer about 3/8 inch worth between the glove box outer plastic and the lower dash brace. Run the screw in it. Stiffens it right up.

Jailor8

[Toad]

That bottom piece is part of the glovebox. That whole bottom side of the dashboard is one big piece of plastic other than the glovebox door.

[sammeh]

Good idea, thanks! So doing alone that fixed your light problem?

Thank you for the info, Toad--maybe I'll just get the glovebox replaced completely if I save up some money.

[jailor8]

Well yes it fixed the problem, But....!!!!! Mine is/was also busted in other places and when you remove the assembly was coming off the metal frame that goes around the inner box assembly. I used more screws (Self tapping) and Epoxy. Because it was coming off the inner frame, let it twist/sag in the frame and come off the switch. If you get a book that shows you how to remove the Gbox you will soon see what the problem is. Be Careful! Body shop wants about 280 for a new one!!!

Wish I had mine back apart I'd take some Photos for you.

Jailor8

[sammeh]

Thanks for all your help!! The dealer quoted me $600 for a new glove box...haha, no thanks!
My fingers are crossed that putting some new screws in will fix the light problem!

[Duffy]

Check your local salvage yard for a used one.

[jailor8]

My body shop will order the part from the dealer I'm pretty sure it was around 280 in the estimate book. This is the book the shop uses to write your estimate when you crash.

But, Mel likes me! So maybe that helps also!!

Jailor8

[jailor8]

Originally Posted by sammeh

Thanks for all your help!! The dealer quoted me $600 for a new glove box...haha, no thanks!
My fingers are crossed that putting some new screws in will fix the light problem!

Well if the assembly is coming off its internal steel frame, ie; the "plastic" spot welds in the steel are breaking loose then no. You will have to take the assembly down to find out. Even the cheap Haynes shop manual shows you how to get the dash apart. It's worth a look and you only need a T-15 torx screw driver and the radio removal tool (4 bucks at Walmart and you get the Ford tools too) to take the glovebox out.

Look at the book it's not that bad of a job. 20 minutes to take it out maybe.

Jailor8

[archiebug]

Originally Posted by sammeh

Okay, so I definitely don't have the patience or skills to take out the entire glove box... When I bought the car there were a few random screws throughout the back of it, and I found out they go on the plastic bit below the glove box door. It's hard to explain exactly what I mean, but the plastic on this part is completely cracked so that the screws don't hold the piece in place. When I push the piece up like it's supposed to be, the glovebox seems to sit normally. Will this stripped piece included in the glovebox assembly, if I were to buy an entire new glovebox? Or does it have a certain name so that I can buy it seperately?

How dirty is your dash?!?!?!?

Clean your poor bug!

[sammeh]

Originally Posted by archiebug

How dirty is your dash?!?!?!?

Clean your poor bug!

These pictures are from the day I bought it--I know it's dirty lol