zekgb

I am in the process of planning the addition of a new amplifier and head unit and would like to use the rear console to store the amplifier. I've never had a key to the console so it's never been opened in the nine years of my ownership. Today I as able to get the lock picked and turned 90 degrees but it still won't unlatch after multiple attempts in each direction. Should the lock be turning more than 90 degrees or is there another trick to getting the latch to release?

joejoe

I believe you need to push the button and raise. It can be difficult (mine) as the button may not work well.

skpyle

Mine is a bitch to open. The latch is deceptively simple. When you push the button down, it pushes against a simple plastic tab. This tab has a lip on it that keeps the lid latched. The button pushes this tab in such a way that it leans away from the latch on the lid.

Sounds simple, but never works that way. Last time I got mine open was when I re-did the wiring for the Bazooka tube in the back. I had to rock the lid side to side. I was just about to get medieval on it when the latch popped.

If I had been thinking, I would have looked closer at the button.

Try pushing down on the lid as you push down on the button.


Good Luck!

Seth K. Pyle

zekgb

Thanks guys rocking the lid back-and-forth and pressing the button worked! No contraband found for better or worse. For posterity's sake the lock is unlocked when pointing at three and nine o'clock looking from the front of the car.

skpyle

Glad you got it!

Seth K. Pyle

skpyle

Follow on update for this issue:

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been mounting a small Rockford Fosgate amp in the rear glove box on the Red Witch.

Once again I had to fight with the console latch to get it to open. Once opened, I took a closer look at it. Pushing the button did not swing the lever far enough to release the latch plate.
I found the lock body was a litte loose in relation to the console lid.
I tightened the lock body retaining nut down.

Much better operation. Pushing the button releases the latch now.


Seth K. Pyle

Ninespub

So Seth, How about pics of the amp install. It's something that I have considered and since you brought it up first.......................... Thanks!

skpyle

Hello Ninespub!

All I have is this teaser shot from last week:




First mock-up...


I have changed the fuse holder for the amp power cable, added a tiny 12VDC cooling fan, a fuse holder for the power wire to the bazooka tube, and a relay.

The relay is triggered by the 'remote' wire from the head unit. The output of the relay turns on the amp, bazooka tube, and the fan. The 'remote' signal from my head unit is max 300mA. The fan itself pulls 220mA. So, the relay so as not to overload the 'remote' signal from the head unit.

I will try to get better photos this weekend. I still have to finish running the power cable to the battery box.


Seth K. Pyle

Ninespub

Seth that's a nice clean-looking install. I'm alternately considering using a small Alpine amp that will fit in the original spot by the passenger door for the main speakers and perhaps a compact powered subwoofer in the rear console where you are placing your amp. My '91 S4 came with rear air so I guess I'll be doing a rear-air delete. (never used it in 16 years) With that thought, I have acquired two rear storage consoles like yours, one to modify and recover and the other so that it can revert back to a factory appearance if it doesn't work or look right.

My thoughts are to take the modded one for the sub, install an appropriate grill, add an old-style rear ashtray/lighter unit on the angled area in front of the lid and fit that with a power plug and a USB charging receptacle and then recover the console to look more as an integrated design.

I also acquired a Continental head unit with am/fm, CD, Bluetooth & USB inputs that also has an aux. imput which will be used for a Sirius/XM "Commander" tuner. It nests perfectly, housed in a mildly modified front console ashtray frame and will be concealed when not in use by flipping the cover down.

Now it becomes an decision as to how many and what speakers do I use for the doors and rear side panels. I missed out on Hans' great speakers so I can use some of the slew of factory speakers I have that can be re-coned; as well as some high-end Alpine legacy-component speakers that the PO installed 20 years ago. What to do........what to do.........