Glove Box Trunk Release Button

So I've had my 98 for about 8 years now and have never really thought about this, but in my car, there is a blank rectangular space on the plastic plate that contains the "Trunk release" valet button. It looks like another button could go there and I'm wondering if there was some sort of option that my car doesn't have that would necessitate that button. Here's a pic:



I'm talking about the blank space to the left of the "Trunk release" button. I finally thought about this today because I must have inadvertently pressed that button down while fiddling around in the glove box. Doing so disables the OTHER trunk button (the circular one on the driver door) from working, which I didn't realize for about a month. I just thought the driver door trunk release button just stopped working out of the blue  I swear...

Yeah that's so with the 'valet key' which locks the glovebox, you can also prevent access to the trunk. I've never seen anything in the second slot. It's tucked away inside the glovebox, so not all that practical. Kill switch maybe?

Here you go....another hidden location for some more mods.

Yeah, dang I can't remember.... but I saw our same (this) switch assembly in the glovebox of another GM car at the wrecking yard and it had two switches, or maybe a button.

Well, I'm off to LKQ in the morning anyway, so I'll try to remember to look around again.

Al

I had to go look at mine--couldn't remember. But yeah, it's the same on the '95.

Was there ever a time that the fuel door release was there? That could have been the second switch. The glovebox used to be where they put it--I had a '78 Caddy with it in there. Much more convenient now that it's in the door, but I'm sure the idea used to be that you could lock the glovebox and lock access to the tank that way.

I put a rocker switch in that empty spot to turn on/off the scan gauges. I'll say it took a little bit of altering to get a switch in there 'cause they didn't cut the are under the switch panel open enough to have a switch nearly as big as the existing one. The electrical plug for the glove box switch has two extra cavities though so that was nice for putting another switch in there. Btw getting that switch panel out of the glove box is kinda of a bear too.

Riv95SC wrote:

I had to go look at mine--couldn't remember.  But yeah, it's the same on the '95.

Was there ever a time that the fuel door release was there?  That could have been the second switch.  The glovebox used to be where they put it--I had a '78 Caddy with it in there.  Much more convenient now that it's in the door, but I'm sure the idea used to be that you could lock the glovebox and lock access to the tank that way.

It wasn't ever used on the Riviera as far as I can tell, but it is a "parts bin" GM part, and I saw both areas used on another model.. I just can't remember which and for what yet.

Al

I think I'll use the space for my ejector seat button... but seriously, yeah I assumed it was a generic parts-bin piece just b/c I have no idea what else could go there from the factory. My family had a 2001 Buick Century (horrible car) that, iirc, had a piece like this in the glove box with a yellow button that was the actual trunk-opener. So, you had to open the glove box every time you wanted to pop the trunk which I guess makes sense from a valet standpoint.

Al, let us know if you find/found anything!

with a yellow button that was the actual trunk-opener wrote:

Was it round? If so, it was the same piece as on my old Cadillac.

I always wanted an ON/OFF power antenna switch.Does anybody know how to do that?....,just like in the 60's Rivs.I think our cars look ugly with the antenna out.

Stan, my 1998 antenna only goes up when I power on the radio, down when I power off the radio. Do you mean you would like to lower antenna when only using CD? That would be cool.

My dad put a switch inline to the power antenna triggers on our early 1980s Park Avenue and 98 to keep it from cycling every time the car/radio was turned on/off. He got tired of replacing antennas over the years as they "wore out", so he used this method to only lower the antenna when he wanted to, such as when going through a car wash.

yeah I don't want my antenna up but wanna listen to radio...haha...

Good place for a valet switch.

Riv95SC wrote:

Was it round?  If so, it was the same piece as on my old Cadillac.

Yes! It was round and yellow and depressed in the center. Sounds like someone I might know...

stan wrote:

yeah I don't want my antenna up but wanna listen to radio...haha...

Stan I think Charlie Robinson has been working on this & had posted some stuff about it in his showroom thread. I would love no antenna too... I've seriously had people think my Riv is a brand new car, then their eyes will inevitably fall on the old-fashioned metal antenna. It's a telltale sign.

I just think it looks ugly nowadays.....thinking to unplug it and see.......haha...just to try

I wonder if it's because I removed my glove box that my trunk release button on my door isnt working..



me....

Agreed on the Antenna. Would like to get some other kind and remove old metal one! I hard wired the trunk button cuz it started acting up after taking out the glove box. Just connect the two wires together.

Anyone know how to drop down the glove box to replace the box light?

1998 Riv

It comes out if you remember to unplug the trunk release switch first.

Thanks, Jack, but how does it come out ?

I was just helping with the part I always forget until I've put strain on those wires

It's not hard. There's a few screws that hold the hinge on to the bottom of the dash, not hard to find. Unplug the wire, then pull the glove box out. There's a catch on the left hand side you have to work the glove box around, but it will come out.

denim wrote:

Anyone know how to drop down the glove box to replace the box light?

1998 Riv

IIRC, unscrew the 'piano' hinge from the opening, hinge is at the bottom of the door

Thank you, gentlemen.