The glove box, a seemingly humble and unassuming feature of your Tesla vehicle, serves as a vital compartment for storage and quick access to essential items.
Its seamless operation is often taken for granted until the moment it refuses to open or close, leaving Tesla owners frustrated and in need of a solution.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the world of the Tesla glove box, exploring the intricacies of its functionality, common issues that may arise, and, most importantly, providing detailed step-by-step solutions to ensure that your glove box operates flawlessly.
How to Fix a Tesla Glove Box That Won’t Open?
When you find yourself facing a stubbornly unyielding glove box, it can be vexing, but fear not; there are several potential reasons for this issue, and we’ll explore each one with detailed solutions.
1. Restart the Touchscreen
In most cases, a software glitch might be causing the glove box to remain sealed shut. Restarting the touchscreen can often resolve these types of issues.
Here’s how to perform a touchscreen reset:
While seated in the driver’s seat, simultaneously press and hold both the left and right steering wheel buttons for approximately ten seconds. Continue holding them until you see the touchscreen reset.
Once the touchscreen has successfully restarted, try opening the glove box again. This simple step can work wonders in rectifying software-related problems.
2. Use the Mobile App
When the touchscreen command doesn’t work, you can resort to using the Tesla mobile app as an alternative method to open the glove box:
- Open the Tesla mobile app on your smartphone.
- Navigate to the “Controls” section.
- Select “Open Glove Box.“
By following these steps, you can remotely open the glove box, provided no underlying hardware issues are causing the problem. It’s a convenient workaround to consider.
3. Update Tesla Software
Although I have not seen any glovebox opening or closing issues due to Tesla software bugs, it is still a good idea to rule out outdated software being the cause. So, update the Tesla software by following this-
- Go to Controls > Software
If any software update is available, you will see a notification there. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update.
4. Reset your Glovebox PIN if you Forgot
If you have set a PIN for opening the glove box and then forgot it, you can reset the PIN and open the glove box by following these steps-
- Go to Controls > Safety & Security
- Select Glovebox PIN and turn it on or off.
- When prompted for the PIN, select Enter Your Tesla Account Credentials under Forgot PIN.
- Now, provide your Tesla account email address and password.
- Press Continue and follow the onscreen prompts to reset the PIN.
Once set, try opening the glovebox with the new PIN.
If all 4 of these fixes failed to open the glove box, I’m afraid there might be a hardware issue that requires professional attention. However, before contacting Tesla, you could try this simple hack-
5. Manually Open the Tesla Glovebox
To do this-
- Remove the plastic side panel of the glovebox.
- Then, use a pry tool or a hard wire to manually disengage the glovebox lock.
Watch this for better understanding-
6. Confirm 12-volt Power Supply
Insufficient power can lead to a multitude of issues with electronic components, and your glove box is no exception.
If your Tesla’s 12-volt battery is extremely low or completely drained, it may affect the operation of various features, including the glove box.
To resolve this, you may need to replace your low-voltage battery.
7. Contact Tesla Support
If all previous troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the issue, it’s time to reach out to Tesla’s customer support or visit a Tesla service center.
Tesla’s support team is well-equipped to provide further assistance and diagnose any potential hardware issues that might be causing the problem.
They can also offer guidance on the best course of action to get your glove box functioning correctly again.
How to Open Tesla Glove Box?
When your Tesla’s glove box is operating correctly, opening it should be a straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:
- Sit in the driver’s seat.
- Go to Controls and locate the glove box button on the touchscreen.
- Press the glove box button, and the glove box should open automatically.
This process should work smoothly under normal circumstances. However, if, even after following these steps, your glove box refuses to open, refer to the troubleshooting tips provided above for further assistance.
How to Fix a Tesla Glove Box That Won’t Close?
While issues with opening the glove box are more common, you may also encounter problems with a Tesla glove box that won’t close properly. Here’s how to address this less frequent but equally frustrating issue:
1. Remove Obstructions
Begin by carefully inspecting the interior of the glove box to ensure no obstructions or foreign objects are obstructing its proper closure.
Sometimes, items stored inside the glove box can inadvertently interfere with the closing mechanism.
Remove any items that may be in the way and attempt to close the glove box again.
2. Check the Hinge
The hinge of the glove box plays a crucial role in its proper functioning. Examine the hinge carefully to see if it’s damaged, misaligned, or obstructed in any way.
Any issues with the hinge can hinder the glove box’s ability to close smoothly.
If you notice any problems with the hinge, it’s essential to contact Tesla service to address and repair the issue.
Attempting to fix a damaged hinge yourself could potentially cause further damage.
3. Restart the Touchscreen
Similar to troubleshooting a glove box that won’t open, if the issue with your glove box not closing is related to a software glitch, restarting the touchscreen may help. Follow these steps to reset the touchscreen:
- Sit in the driver’s seat.
- Simultaneously press and hold both the left and right steering wheel buttons for approximately ten seconds. Release the buttons once you see the touchscreen reset.
After performing the touchscreen reset, try closing the glove box again to see if the issue is resolved.
4. Contact Tesla Support
If none of the previous steps seem to resolve the issue and your glove box still won’t close correctly, it’s time to contact Tesla customer support or visit a Tesla service center.
Conclusion
A Tesla glove box that won’t open or close can indeed be a vexing issue, but it’s important to remain patient and systematic in your approach to troubleshooting.
Many of these issues have practical and accessible solutions that you can implement yourself.
By following the comprehensive troubleshooting steps outlined in this detailed guide, you can diagnose the problem and, in many cases, resolve it on your own.
However, if all else fails, do not hesitate to contact Tesla support or visit a Tesla service center.
With the right approach, you can ensure that your Tesla’s glove box operates flawlessly, allowing you to enjoy all the convenience and innovation that Tesla vehicles have to offer.