SL/R230: rear compartment center console
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Maine
2003 sl500
rear compartment center console
is there a way to open theses ? key wont over ride in glove box, fuse 71 is good central locking system is workin fine
2003 sl 500
2003 sl 500
Last edited by wardhill; May 10, 2018 at 09:14 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 389
Likes: 113
From: Seattle, WA
SL500
Those cubbies are locked via the central locking system and if there is a leak in the air line to either of them, then they'll remain locked. Many times when such a lek occurs, owners decide that it isn't worth it to them to pay the amount the Stealership wnts to charge to repair the leak, so they just allow them to remain locked since the storage capacity is pretty minimal and most don't use their CD players anymore. There are two panels in front of the cubbies that are imply compression mounted, no screws to remove. If you wedge a screwdriver or butter knife behind the panel, they''ll simply pop off and provide access to the latch catch. I've seen the latch catches secured by either two small bolts or 2 rivets. If you don't want to goto he dealer for a proper repair of the system, you can gain access by either drilling out the rivets to the latch catch, but know that this would not allow you to secure the cubbie lids any longer. Those lids have a slight spring loading, so without the latch catch, they'll remain in the open position. To remedy this, you can glue a 1 lb weight to the front interior edge of each lid and that's sufficient to keep the lids in the down position. So that leaves you with the following choices:
1. Have the dealer repair the system. $$$
2. Accept not using the cubbies.
3. Proceed with the above understanding the caveats mentioned.
1. Have the dealer repair the system. $$$
2. Accept not using the cubbies.
3. Proceed with the above understanding the caveats mentioned.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 258
Likes: 34
From: Gluckstadt, MS
2003 R230
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Maine
2003 sl500
Its interesting that the center console remains locked too are they on the same air hose. When i noticed this problem the glove box was locked too but i could open that with a key i had never had the glove box lock itself i wondered if i did something inadvertantly with the key fob?
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 389
Likes: 113
From: Seattle, WA
SL500
Its interesting that the center console remains locked too are they on the same air hose. When i noticed this problem the glove box was locked too but i could open that with a key i had never had the glove box lock itself i wondered if i did something inadvertantly with the key fob?
This is a pretty common problem, and because of the $$$ charged by the dealership for tracing down just where the air leak has occured, many folks balk at spending $$$ having this issue fixed. Compounding issues is that a break in a wire leading to the locks can return a false value for the state of the lock and can return the same symptoms, so the dealer has to account for both possibilities when making an estimate for repair, and tracing wires and airlines means time dismantling to access said airlines and that means $$$'s.
Last edited by Aussiesuede; May 11, 2018 at 03:18 PM.
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