<E30> Hood release does not work

[dstevenson <dstevenson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Cannot open Hood on 1987 325IS

Hi Bruce

I have just had the same problem with the exact same year car. Here a list
of things to try in the least expensive to most expensive order.


1:) put some vicegrips on the release cable (from the inside of course) and
try pulling. This may give you a little more leverage and make up for the
cable being stretched. Try not to break the cable. Did not work for me


2:)Or..Look in through the front grill and you will see where the hood latch
assembly is (its slightly off center towards the drivers side. There is a
slot in the front of this latch mechanism that if you have the hands of a
child you may be able to get a flathead screwdriver (a long one) in there
and turn it enough to pop the hood. This probably will not work if the
spring loaded mechanism that shoots the hood forward is old or frozen. Did
not work for me.


3:)Try pulling off the Grill on the drivers side (it is held in with a few
sheet metal screws that are accessible and some clips that are not, then
remove the headlight assembly (bigger sheetmetal screws (3)) This will give
you plenty of access to the latch. You will probably break the grill, but a
used one should not be more than $20.


Once you are in there, try the screw driver again. If this does not work,
undo the 2 10MM (or so) nuts that hold the latch on. After you do this, you
should be able to get the latch (with the cable attached) to fall away out
if its pocket. Now you should be able to grab the hood and pull it forward
and then it will open (from the rear). Clean and grease latch before you put
it back.  Worked for me.


If you get unlucky and break the hood release cable add $23 or so to the
cost of this project. Make the seller deduct $50 for this project which only
covers parts and not your labor and the Sam Adams Boston Ale that you may
need when you are done.

Good Luck

Don Stevenson/BMWCCA Boston Chapter 

1988 325IS, (to much to list), should have stayed the street car.

1987 325IS, project, should have been the track car.(new Hood Latch Cable,
replaced grill DS)

1988 Volvo 240 Wagon 5 Speed.

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