Hood won’t close

[30panda]

Hello all, this is my first post and I apologize if it has been discussed already. I couldn’t find anything when doing the search, I have a 1986 325es that I have been working on since the end of dec 2020.

I got it knowing the hood wouldn’t close but didn’t know the exact reason. I have a hunch that it is the hood latch/cable but there aren’t too many how to videos or instructions when I’ve done my search, and wasn’t sure if someone had gone through the same thing.

I tried cleaning up the latch itself and it just keeps bouncing back regardless of how the handle is positioned on the inside.

I appreciate any tips/feedback and advice 🙏🏻

[roguetoaster]

Sounds like your latch is stuck in the closed position, or perhaps it's not latching, could be either from your description. There is a hole you can insert a flat blade and rotate the lock to open if the former is the case.

[30panda]

Okay, I will try and see if that will get it loose! I’m hoping I don’t need a new latch and cable, so I wanted to see if there were any tricks to try before getting them.

[roguetoaster]

The screwdriver trick is the same thing you'd use if your hood was stuck closed.

[e30strokr]

its usually the latch.. make sure it has a 90 "cut" to lock the hood in place....you'll see it once you remove it for inspection