Dodge Ram Center Console Won’t Open (Explained)

It’s frustrating when your Dodge Ram center console fails to open, especially when it contains important items you need urgently.

So, you might panic and wonder why it is malfunctioning unexpectedly. Now, why won’t your Dodge Ram center console open? 

The Dodge Ram center console won’t open when the latch responsible for locking the center console lid is faulty. This situation makes it extremely difficult to open the center console lid unless you use a Philips screwdriver. 

Why Won’t the Dodge Ram Center Console Open? 

Most times, your Dodge Ram center console fails to open when the latch is loose; it is stuck and becomes very difficult to open the center console.

Sometimes, the center console fails to open because of a broken latch. This situation occurs when you constantly jam your center console lid. 

Jamming the center console lid adversely affects the latch as some latches are plastic.

Unfortunately, many car owners are guilty of this, especially when they are in a hurry and want to retrieve an important item. 

Furthermore, dirt accumulation in the latch can make the latch stuck. Thereby preventing car owners from opening the center console.

You can help by removing the dirt from the latch and cleaning it thoroughly. 

Sometimes, the fault comes from the replacement of the center console latch.

For instance, if you didn’t fix the latch properly, the center console won’t open unless you remove the latch and fix it properly.

Plus, if the latch you purchase is not 100% compatible with the center console, it won’t open.

So, if you want to purchase a new latch for your center console, you need to ensure it’s compatible. 

Alternatively, you can settle for an aftermarket center console latch of high quality.

On the other hand, settling for an aftermarket latch of low quality will only be disastrous as it might not last long.

Plus, you might encounter other problems in the process. So, it’s best to consult a trustworthy aftermarket dealer to purchase the best. 

In addition, if your center console fails to open after several attempts, it’s best to consult a professional as the problem may be from your latch but other components.

You might damage your center console if you keep trying to pry it open. 

How to Open a Stuck Dodge Ram Center Console?

Opening a stuck Dodge Ram center console is no easy feat as you risk causing severe damage.

However, if your latch is metallic, you can use grease to lubricate it to enable you to open it easily.

Plus, you can make good use of graphite to unlock the latch and open your center console. 

However, if your latch is plastic, you can move the center console up or toward the driver’s seat.

This way, you will be able to open the center console easily. Unfortunately, if the center console doesn’t open, you can take your vehicle to a technician.

The reason is that the latch might not necessarily be the reason for the sudden lock of your center console. 

So, you need to be extremely careful while handling your center console as you might cause damage unintentionally.

In addition, the center console often becomes stuck due to how you handle it regularly.

For instance, if you fail to fix the broken components within the center console, you might begin to encounter difficulties. 

In the worst-case scenario, you may have to replace the entire center console. So, you need to maintain your center console properly.

You can do this by locking the center console gently before exiting your vehicle and cleaning the internal parts. What Color Codes for Dodge Ram Trailer Harness?

To avoid dirt buildup and fixing or replacing any broken internal or external component.

This way, your Dodge Ram center console will always be in good shape, and you can open it without any problems. 

Dodge Ram Stuck Middle Console Latch repair

When the middle/center console is stuck, about 95% of the problem is from the latch.

It’s responsible for opening and closing the component. Unfortunately, that means that the latch is either broken or it’s not usable anymore.

If the latch breaks, you can easily repair it in a shop or buy a new one. 

To repair the latch, you must remove it from the internal compartment of the center console. After you repair it, you can fix it and test it to see if it works.

However, if you discover a broken latch, the best thing to do is to replace the latch.

The following are some steps to take when you want to replace your latch. 

• Step 1: Visit a machine shop and purchase a new lid latch repair kit. The lid latch repair kit usually contains the latch for your center console. 
• Step 2: Get the necessary tools to complete the replacement process. These tools include a trim removal, a Torx driver, and a Philips screwdriver. 
• Step 3: Carefully open the center console and use the Torx driver to remove all the Torx holding the lid latch cover. 
• Step 4: Afterward, remove the lid latch cover. If you fail to remove the cover, then use a trim removal to take it out. 
• Step 5: Using the Philips screwdriver, carefully remove all the screws holding the latch and remove the old or broken latch.
• Step 6: Remove the new latch from the lid latch kit and use the Philips screwdriver to fix the screws properly. 
• Step 7: Fix the lid latch cover and fix the Torx properly. Once you complete this process, test the latch by locking and unlocking the center console. 

This process is quite easy, and you can do it yourself if you follow all the steps correctly.

However, if you encounter any complications, seek a technician’s help immediately. 

How to Open the Dodge Ram Center Console Without Causing Any Damage? 

Many Dodge Ram owners are often afraid of opening their center consoles as they might unintentionally cause damage.

Unfortunately, some car owners don’t exercise enough patience, and the go-ahead to open the center console forcefully.

When this happens, the latch undergoes severe damage, and you will have to replace it as soon as possible. 

Notwithstanding, there are other ways you can adopt to open your center console without causing any damage. You can open your center console by unlocking the latch.

Now, you must wonder how to unlock the latch when your center console is stuck.

I’ll briefly highlight some steps you can take to unlock the latch. 

• Step 1: Get a trim remover. 
• Step 2: Using the trim remover, extract the latch cover and use your index finger to unlock the latch. 
• Step 3: Once you unlock the latch, close the latch with the latch cover.

This process is 100% safe, and you can easily open your center console without causing any damage.

Unfortunately, if you forcefully open your center console, you might damage it severely. 

If the damage is beyond repair, you might have to replace the entire component. Why Won’t My Dodge Ram Start in the Cold?

However, this replacement will cost you a lot of cash, especially if you want to purchase a factory-made product.

Hence, it’s best to exercise patience and look for a possible solution to open your center console. 

Summary 

Admittedly, the center console often fails to open when the latch is loose, too hard, or broken.

You must use a lubricant to ease locking and unlocking in this scenario. Plus, you can repair or replace the broken or loose latch to retrieve its functionality.