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07-14-2021, 02:46 PM | #1 |
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Hood Cable Snapped Help (SOLVED)
Hello all,
Well something I never expected to happen, happened. Went to put washer fluid in and when I pulled on the release lever inside the car resistance on the lever gave out mid way and I heard a thump. Now the interior hood release lever has no resistance. I unscrewed the lever from the interior and nothing is stripped within the plastic gear and the cable is in the slot. Pulling does nothing. Now, is there anyway to open the hood through the kidney? I read on e90post that people were able to pull back the wheel liner on the driver side and pull the cable, but i think access on the 1er is impossible due to the airbox. Attached is a photo from the driver side kidney where a latch is visible, Im assuming this is the primary release? (scratch marks are from me trying to use a long screw driver) On the drinkers side kidney the large hook is what I assume to be the secondary safety latch? Also, I noticed what i think to be the lever cable on the pass side kidney behind the splitting of the kidney. Would anyone be able to take a video of the interior lever being released, with the camera in the driver kidney showing the operation of the latch? Just so it would be easier to determine if what is visible has to be swung clock-wise or counter clock-wise. Any and all help would be appreciated! Last edited by nevetstoj; 07-20-2021 at 02:27 PM.. Reason: solved. |
07-14-2021, 03:04 PM | #2 |
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Nowhere near my car but you're on the right track. I am fairly sure that you don't push the piece with the scratch marks, call it a flat piece of metal. Push instead on the round one, just above it. Move it to the left.
Also consider looking up the kidney grille removal. It's been too long to remember for sure but I think it just pops out. If you can remove it but not break any tabs life will be much easier to finish the job. Hope it helps. |
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07-14-2021, 03:21 PM | #3 |
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This thing? Ill probably need to find something longer or another tool
I tried yanking on the grill but it felt like I was going to break it. Hmmmmm. In another thread it showed that torx bolts on the inside of the hood were to be removed to take out the grills. Are they just held in with plastic clips? Thanks for taking the time to help! |
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07-14-2021, 04:06 PM | #4 |
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Yeah the kidney is just held in with plastic clips. If you looks around the edge, you should also be able to see where the center part and the surround part of the kidneys can be dis-assembled if needed.
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07-14-2021, 04:26 PM | #5 |
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That curved dowel looking thing, coming out of the opening. I want to say push it to the left.
I could be totally completely 100% wrong. But give it a try. High chance we share a mechanism with a million other BMW's. You did search around here as well right? Try "hood cable" perhaps. |
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07-14-2021, 04:51 PM | #6 |
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Eureka!!!!!!!!!!! So it looks like at about 1 min in he pulls down on something. I just wish he showed what he was pulling on!!! Or maybe he twists ?? lol Looks like i'm buying some long needle nose pliers soon! |
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07-14-2021, 07:21 PM | #8 |
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Hmmmm nope. Just removed the cover and pulled the wire. It just came out and did not want to go back in. So guessing it broke at the junction box thing on the fender.
Just got the lug nut wrench from my e46 tool kit and that fit perfectly between the grill. Still couldn't get the latch mechanism to move. Im going to leave it alone tonight before I end up breaking something, hahah. |
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07-15-2021, 08:10 PM | #9 |
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I recently went through this ordeal. I was not able to finesse the kidney grill out although I’ve read that the grill will come straight out with a good yank. Pull it straight out forward. They’re not that expensive to replace if you need up breaking it. I ended up cutting the slats so I could reach in and grab the cable.... but pulling on the cable did not release the latch. So I stripped some of the plastic off and then grabbed the wire cable with a pair of pliers and successfully opened the latch. I’m sure there are more elegant methods but by that point I was pretty frustrated.
Last edited by WeryPert1; 07-15-2021 at 08:16 PM.. |
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07-15-2021, 08:15 PM | #10 |
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Good news is that the two replacement cables are like $50 total. Also good news is that front one installs in like 5 minutes, easy peasy.
Bad news is that it’s most likely the rear cable that stretched and needs to be replaced, and that one is a MFER. At least for me. I found reports from others that it’s a 5 minute job. But I botched mine and still have been unable to get the damn grommet properly seated in the firewall hole. Cable is connected and functional, but the hole isn’t properly sealed, and it’s right next to the cowl screen drain. So I’m worried that at some point I’m going to have moisture in the cabin. |
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07-15-2021, 08:22 PM | #11 |
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Oh and I also completely ripped the dead pedal footrest off in an ill-advised attempt to reach the firewall hole from the inside. Didn’t realize that was permanently attached to the carpet.
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07-15-2021, 08:31 PM | #12 |
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07-18-2021, 05:06 PM | #13 |
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Thanks for the comments WeryPert1, Ive read that thread. While it is useful, without pictures, im afraid it isn't much help. Im going to order the cables and some tools to do the job and take pictures of it. Haven't had much time to sit down and take the car apart I dont want to yank the grill out as it is 13 years old now and will most likely shatter in attempt.
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07-20-2021, 12:46 PM | #15 |
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Nope, work and school been getting in the way. Im going to try and pull the wheel liner off and see if I can reach in a grab the cable first. Good thing i just had the oil and air filters changed haha !
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07-20-2021, 01:49 PM | #16 |
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07-20-2021, 01:50 PM | #17 |
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Alright, with the weight of the entire 1addicts forum on my shoulders Ive made a discovery. Although, I was still unable to pop the hood.
With the car on the ground, wheel turned to right, fender liner peeled back, it is possible to reach the Hood cable. You will need to go shoulder deep and come in from under the bumper. Now, in the last picture what is happening is that as i pulled on the cable the shrouding became free exposing the metal cable. I thought i was maybe pulling on some electrical wire but in the image of the front grill (excuse the dead bugs) the hood cable is visible now proving it moved. Im unsure if the cable has become un-attached from the mechanism itself, but as i pulled the cable did not move (as it it was still attached to something). Ill try again later. I'm afraid of breaking the cable from the mechanism. |
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07-20-2021, 02:25 PM | #19 |
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tracer bullet AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
It looks like every part of the cable assembly failed at once lol. So weird because the hood release never felt tough, or hard to pull at all?! Thank-you so much for keeping active and helping, I really do appreciate it! |
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tracer bullet2381.50 |
09-05-2021, 05:38 PM | #20 |
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Same issue - Cable AND latch busted
For future reference: I have the same issue and was able to yank the kidney grill out to get better access. If you distribute the pressure with fingers across multiple slots, you can rock a bit and pull straight out. Note where the clips are in the pic. Also - I was able to put a screwdriver in the middle of the latch and the hook and just turn clockwise to pry and the latch popped.
Unfortunately, I am hosed on self repair. My latch is broken as well and I think you need to take the whole front bumper assembly off and I believe you need a lift to really get access to what you need to remove. .... Dealer quoted $700... Let me know if anyone has cheaper alternative. I may drive around with the long screwdriver and trim pry tools for a while..:-) |
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09-05-2021, 07:37 PM | #21 |
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Pressure wash all the gunk off the latch.
Then some lube, white lithium. Work it in and the latch should come back to working. Any resistance now is going to be the cable. The section going to the cabin probably isn't bad. It's the to the latch portion that gets rusty and fails. Very easy to replace that section. The to the cabin isn't as easy. 'Fish tape' is going to be your friend for that one. |
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