Hood Release Help

[Coop540iT]

Hi Gang,

I'm in need of some help. Today I replaced my hood release cable following this DIY link I found on the forum http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...(the-easy-way)

Things went relatively smooth until it came time to test it. I tested with the hood up. I could feel & see the cable moving at the latch, but when I closed the hood to try it... nothing. The lever pulls freely, but the hood is not releasing,

I wiped out and am done for the night, but I plan to get back at tomorrow after work. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[BlackBMWs]

Were the two hood pins aligned and closing smooth before you latched it? I just did this on my 95 ti and it took me about 30 minutes to align them and get them smooth.

If now it wont unlatch, I think if the kidney grills are out you can manually operate both latches with a hook pick or if the kidneys are on, maybe you can gain access to the latches if you remove the front bumper.

Good luck!

Do you have a 540it? We may have traded messages on BFC.

[Coop540iT]

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

Were the two hood pins aligned and closing smooth before you latched it? I just did this on my 95 ti and it took me about 30 minutes to align them and get them smooth.

If now it wont unlatch, I think if the kidney grills are out you can manually operate both latches with a hook pick or if the kidneys are on, maybe you can gain access to the latches if you remove the front bumper.

Good luck!

The pins seemed to line up as the hood closed smoothly. I will try to remove the kidney grills and operate latch manually. Thanks for the suggestion.

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

Do you have a 540it? We may have traded messages on BFC.

That is possible. I had a 540it, but sold it a few years back.

[Coop540iT]

I'm still pondering what went wrong. The new cable install went smoothly and the hood release lever pulls freely. I could see the cable moving where it enters the driver's side hood latch. I tested the secondary cable that goes to the passenger side latch. It also moved freely.

My question: Is the spring that is visible in this photo by Jess http://www.318ti.org/forum/attachmen...6&d=1315948508 supposed to move when the release lever is pulled? In other words how do I know if the release cable is doing its job, or if the latch itself is bad?

With regard to getting the hood open again I am trying to decide if I should remove the hood release lever inside, disassemble it trying pulling on the cable with a pair of vice grips, or if I should try to manually actuate the latch as described in Eric's thread http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...t=hood+release

Again, any help will be greatly appreciated.

[BlackBMWs]

Originally Posted by Coop540iT

I'm still pondering what went wrong. The new cable install went smoothly and the hood release lever pulls freely. I could see the cable moving where it enters the driver's side hood latch. I tested the secondary cable that goes to the passenger side latch. It also moved freely.

My question: Is the spring that is visible in this photo by Jess http://www.318ti.org/forum/attachmen...6&d=1315948508 supposed to move when the release lever is pulled? In other words how do I know if the release cable is doing its job, or if the latch itself is bad?

With regard to getting the hood open again I am trying to decide if I should remove the hood release lever inside, disassemble it trying pulling on the cable with a pair of vice grips, or if I should try to manually actuate the latch as described in Eric's thread http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthrea...t=hood+release

Again, any help will be greatly appreciated.

So when you pull the level, the cable pulls both catches (The bent silver rod in the photo) to release the lip of the hood pins. If there is slack in the cable, it may not pull the latches out of the way.

I believe you can pull the cable on the drivers side by the catch to put tension on the latches to release the pins. Pull is straight to the right as the cable goes into a plastic housing and if you pull it at an angle, you can break the housing. Mine was already broken and I found a replacement at Pick n Pull for about $9 for two latches and the interconnecting cable. You can pull latches from any E36 I believe. I got mine from a 328i sedan.

Good luck!

[Coop540iT]

Originally Posted by BlackBMWs

So when you pull the level, the cable pulls both catches (The bent silver rod in the photo) to release the lip of the hood pins. If there is slack in the cable, it may not pull the latches out of the way.

I believe you can pull the cable on the drivers side by the catch to put tension on the latches to release the pins. Pull is straight to the right as the cable goes into a plastic housing and if you pull it at an angle, you can break the housing. Mine was already broken and I found a replacement at Pick n Pull for about $9 for two latches and the interconnecting cable. You can pull latches from any E36 I believe. I got mine from a 328i sedan.

Good luck!

Thank you I'll update the thread when I have more information.