E36 hood won't open

[dshiznitbmwe30]

Replaced hood latches on the hood side recently and when I went to pop the hood it releases the driver side but the passenger side doesn't release. Any opinions or ideas on what I can do. Thanks in advance.

[bmwguy325is]

pry bar big one............
Or a 120mph run down the freeway and pull the lever....

[atmobenzin]

Parts car.

[S62]

Have someone pull the release lever and hold it while you try and open it.

[cheapthrills]

The E36 latching mechanism is pretty similar to the E46 one, which I dealt with a few months ago (see link below). There is a cable that runs from the driver's side latch to the passenger side latch. Obviously, that's the part that isn't working; it's most likely broken inside one of the two latches.

The E46 didn't really afford me any access to the latches, so I had to get a bit destructive. I don't know how the nose of an E36 is constructed. If you can get to the passenger side latch and actuate it with a screwdriver, you're golden.

Here's a writeup I did when my E46 latch wouldn't work:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1939710-What-to-do-when-your-hood-release-cable-breaks

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=342061

Edit: re-read this. You replaced the pins attached to the hood? They may be misaligned. As S62 said, have someone hold the cable, and see if you can manhandle the hood and jiggle the pin out. ALWAYS pull the grilles out if you're doing work that may make your hood not open.

[M-technik-3]

Why the E30 rules. Sorry to hear of your pain. Suggest grease on both locks and cable when you get them released.

[dshiznitbmwe30]

Ok thanks everyone I am working on it today.

[dshiznitbmwe30]

The E36 latching mechanism is pretty similar to the E46 one, which I dealt with a few months ago (see link below). There is a cable that runs from the driver's side latch to the passenger side latch. Obviously, that's the part that isn't working; it's most likely broken inside one of the two latches.

The E46 didn't really afford me any access to the latches, so I had to get a bit destructive. I don't know how the nose of an E36 is constructed. If you can get to the passenger side latch and actuate it with a screwdriver, you're golden.

Here's a writeup I did when my E46 latch wouldn't work:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1939710-What-to-do-when-your-hood-release-cable-breaks

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=342061

Edit: re-read this. You replaced the pins attached to the hood? They may be misaligned. As S62 said, have someone hold the cable, and see if you can manhandle the hood and jiggle the pin out. ALWAYS pull the grilles out if you're doing work that may make your hood not open.

Thanks I will check the links and make sure the pins are aligned properly

[cheapthrills]

Why the E30 rules.

QFT. I've had my E30 hood release cable snap right before a track day, but it wasn't a big deal opening the hood with a screwdriver for a few days.

[willworkfore30s]

I keep a screw driving in my trunk labeled "Hood Latch"

[dshiznitbmwe30]

So I took the front bumper off, removed the aux fan, moved the plastic pieces that block the latches, drivers side comes up but the passenger doesn't. Even tried pulling on the cable myself and still doesn't make a difference. Any other ideas?

[dshiznitbmwe30]

QFT. I've had my E30 hood release cable snap right before a track day, but it wasn't a big deal opening the hood with a screwdriver for a few days.

My e30 cable snapped and I had to run the cable from underneath the drivers fender. Lol

[dshiznitbmwe30]

Got the hood open had to you a screw driver to twist the hood pin from the bottom