Storage compartments rinky-dink closures

[vivianyorke]

I've been frustrated with the exceedingly poor quality of the closure mechanism on the cell phone docking storage compartment. When my cell phone is in it, it always falls open. Right now, I have it wedged closed with a large black spring paper clip wedged underneath it!Has anyone else had this experience?Cheers,Vivian in Kingston, Ontario, Canada

[NSimkins]

Is this the storage compartment that is part of and below the shifter?? I have never used this compartment yet, but upon inspection, I did notice is it somewhat flimsy and can be removed pretty easily.

[vivianyorke]

Yes, it's under the stick shift. When it's empty it's okay, but with the weight of the cell phone, it falls open. It's actually a very convenient compartment... I like to have it open, with my cell phone turned on, in it while driving, and if I'm leaving my phone in the car, I like to close it to conceal it.The fact that it's removable is okay with me too... good for cleaning. However the little plastic latch is useless.

[NSimkins]

quote:When it's empty it's okay, but with the weight of the cell phone, it falls open.Yeah, being that I haven't had much use for that compartment yet, I do however know what you are referring to.quote:However the little plastic latch is useless.That little latch is somewhat pathetic. You would have thought they would have made it a little bit more robust.I tried to look for some sort of adjustment or tweak that could be done to strengthen it, but couldn't see anything offhand.I will have to play around with it this weekend when I get some spare time. I will let you know if I discover anything useful.
[Modified by NSimkins, 9:42 PM 8/7/2002]

[vivianyorke]

That would be great! Thanks!

[vibb]

quote:I've been frustrated with the exceedingly poor quality of the closure mechanism on the cell phone docking storage compartment. When my cell phone is in it, it always falls open.I think the cell phone is supposed to go into the 2" by 1.5" rectangular cubby behind the 2 cupholders. See page 2-29 of the owner's manual or page 9 of the Vibe sales brochure (which shows a cell phone in an illustration). Mine goes in there perfectly.

[vivianyorke]

Unfortunately, my phone is just a tich too thick. If I try to squeeze it in there, the buttons are depressed. (Clearnet Sanyo).I agree with what you said about that little spot looking perfect, but in the manual, they also refer to a "hidden" or "concealed" "docking station" for the phone (I can't remember exact wording). When I slip the phone in the compartment under the shift, it's perfect, with plenty of room. It will also accommodate my ear piece/microphone which is like an "ear bud" on a long wire.I think I'm going to have to settle for wedging it closed with my black paper clip!

[vivianyorke]

Went to the dealership yesterday for 1st oil change and to deal with my little warranty issues.RE: compartment falling open due to poor latch mechanism. He couldn't believe how rinky-dink the latch is. Totally agreed with me. Unfortunately, I did not leave my cell phone with him when they worked on it, so they could not test to see if it worked after they figetted around with it. He told me they added some adhesive-back foam to the bottom of it, so that it would raise it up, and hopefully, stay latched better.Well... it worked fine with the compartment empty, but as I suspected, as soon after I stuck my cell phone in it and closed it, it fell open again. Back to the drawing board.Re: rattle in roof... I'll update that issue under the other subject heading.

[NovaResource]

quote:...but in the manual, they also refer to a "hidden" or "concealed" "docking station" for the phone (I can't remember exact wording).That hidden compartment is the bottom half of the center console between the seats. If you lift the arm rest, you will see a power outlet at the bottom.

[vivianyorke]

quote:...That hidden compartment is the bottom half of the center console between the seats. If you lift the arm rest, you will see a power outlet at the bottom.Ah ha. Yes, actually, I was planning on using that outlet for our electric cooler. But, if you stick your phone and charger in there, where would you store CDs???

[NovaResource]

quote:But, if you stick your phone and charger in there, where would you store CDs???That depends on how many CD's you carry. You can use half that compartment (the passenger side) for the phone and use the other half (the driver side) for CD's standing up and going lengthwise instead of side to side. Also, the very front of the console (in front of the cup holders) will hold approx 6 CD jewel cases going side to side.

[NovaResource]

Yes, that's where I keep mine, but Vivian said her phone is too thick to fit in that spot. Plus, she's interested in keeping it plugged in to charge it. That's hard to do using that spot.
[Modified by NovaResource, 9:20 AM 8/9/2002]

[masonjl]

i use the little compartment under the shifter as a trash can!!! it seams to hold up fine. Vivian you might try the little compartment below the armrest. There are two the larger one with the concealed power source that doesn;t work if the car is off and of course the smaller one in between. It should have PLENTY of room for your cell phone and still be close to your ear etc.....

[vivianyorke]

Thanks for all the input, everyone.First, I certainly was not complaining about lack of storage space... there is a lot... I was complaining about the quality of the latch mechanisms. Even with that small compartment under the shift empty, I can easily pop it open by popping my fingernail under the top of it, and not even using the button. It won't accommodate anything in it with any weight at all, without popping open. I think that's just shoddy design.I LIKE my cell phone in there, because a) it's just slightly too big to fit in that little vertical space in the console behind the cup holders and in front of the arm rest, b) I like to drive with my cell phone turned on and accessible... it works well to have it in that stick shift storage compartment, with it tipped open while I'm driving, but closed when I'm parked, so that it is concealed. I do not put it there so I can also charge it... I actually do that in the house. c) I use the little square storage space (behind the cup holders) to accommodate the handle of my travel coffee mug. d) I don't really want to drive with the cell phone inside my arm rest compartments, because it is not as accessible with it enclosed. At this time, I've been storing my sunglasses in the upper, shallow compartment under the arm rest. However, I may change it so that my sunglasses are stored under the shift, and break down and put my cell phone in the shallow arm compartment. Or... I may just continue to do what I have been doing... us the compartment under the shift, and keep wedging it closed with my paperclip when I want it closed! LOL.By the way, I'm also suspicious of the quality of the closure latch on the glove compartment. I wouldn't be surprised if it starts causing me some grief down the road, too. It's not very robust, and doesn't seem to close as securely as I feel it should either. If it's not one thing, it's another!

[vivianyorke]

quote:One thing I don't like about the glove compartiment..... It doesn't lock...Asian cars usually don't lock, it's a way to save money!Hmmmm... Interesting. I hadn't noticed.

[vivianyorke]

Okay. I've given in.Turns out that my cell phone DOES fit in that little rectangular hole... It wouldn't fit before because I always kept my phone in a leather protective cover, which has a thick belt-clip on it (I usually carry it on the strap of my fanny pack). It was the belt clip that was preventing it from fitting in that hole.So... took it out of the protective cover. I'm storing it in my arm rest compartment when absent from the car, and when it's turned on, I'm keeping it in the little rectangular hole.I've moved my sunglasses to that compartment under the stick shift with the rinky-dink latch. So far so good. So.... the saga continues...

[Greg100575]

hmmmm sorry your havent troubles with your storage compartment, but i just checked mine out real good and dont see any problems with mine. the latch closes good and stays closed. i even tugged on mine without pressing the release button and it didnt open. good luck and happy cruisingGreg