Replacing hood release cable? (pics added)

[Beej '86 325es]

Well, I have been having to pull the hood release lever pretty far lately, and finally last night it would not pop. The mounts for the handle appear to be secure, so the cable must have finally snapped.

Any write-ups on this? Is it pretty hard or should I leave it to the dealer? I know how to pop it with a screwdriver from outside, but have not tried it yet.

[rs4pro3]

I actualy have a good cable and release for sale. All you have to do is pull the headlight grills, undo some 10mm bolts holding the clasp into the body, slid it out the side, unclip the ties holding the cable. In the cabin you slide the cable out of the handel and pull it threw the fire wall. Then you just slide in the new cable, and reatach everything. Shoot me a PM if you want to buy the cable.(for relatively cheap :D )

[Beej '86 325es]

Cool, let me take a closer look at it tonight and I'll get back to you.

Thanks. :)

[rs4pro3]

It's quite simple once you get in there to replace it.

[JonG]

yeah, very quick job.

when i went to buy my car, the cable snapped right before i was going to leave, and the guy changed it out in 45 minutes to an hour. he had an extra cable sitting in a parts car there. He was a mechanic though so it may take you longer.

[Beej '86 325es]

Replacing hood release cable? (pics added)

Still having problems...

Inspected closer and it all appears to be connected, but it's like the cable got stretched or slid out part way or something, because if I reset the mechanism and just pull on the cable from inside the car, it pops.

How are you supposed to get at the mechanism??? :? It appears to be surrounded by the frame or radiator on all sides.

Here are some pictures to illustrate a little better.




From the front of the car...

[rs4pro3]

From the front undo those 2 10mm bolts, then You'll have to slid the assembly out that slot in the engine, bay you may have to pull the High beam on that side to gain clearence.

[javi415]

Bumping from page 400 of gen tech for pictars all i see are white boxes with a red x

[blueapplesoda]

do you really need pictures? Its very self explanory, just pull ure ds grill and headlight assy and youll be able to see how to get at the latch mechanism.

2004.

[javi415]

Just wanted to post something really. But while I was changing the cable it occured to me that the latch mechanism could have been the problem, it wasn't but should I change it just in case? If the mechanism fails, is there a way to open the hood?

[quikveedb2]

Just wanted to post something really. But while I was changing the cable it occured to me that the latch mechanism could have been the problem, it wasn't but should I change it just in case? If the mechanism fails, is there a way to open the hood?

the latch is a pretty simple, stout mechanism, i doubt it'd fail before the cable & lever system. also, people tend to frown on bumping threads from 4 years ago around here. do a search, read up, and if you still have questions or need a specific pic, then post. also, buy a repair manual (bentley ftw.)

[erik325i]

also, people tend to frown on bumping threads from 4 years ago around here.

It's always better to bump an old thread than to start a new one.
At least it shows he put some effort in and used the search function.

Erik

[quikveedb2]

^^yeah, but then he asked a question about the latch breaking, which is not what the thread is about to begin with, and also that he "just wanted to post something." seems silly, imho.

[Kristeun]

I'm having a similar problem except it's not staying closed instead. This would mean the hood lock needs to be replaced and it's not the cable, correct?

[quikveedb2]

I'm having a similar problem except it's not staying closed instead. This would mean the hood lock needs to be replaced and it's not the cable, correct?

could be either, you can pull the latch & clean & lube it and see if that helps, or there could be a bunch of crap in the housing for the cable that is not allowing the latch to work properly.