opening HOOD with busted cable?

[rbpbfc]

my son's '97 Z3 has a hood latch cable with a broken end (cabin)

he's been able to yank on the end of it with vise grips and get it open, but every time he does, it shortens the frayed cable a little more

now it's too short to get any purchase, and we can't open the hood

about to take a road trip (college visits) and we really want to check fluids

anyone know how to get the hood open from in front w/ no cable release?

(we DID order a new hood cable from ESC, but they only sent the front length for between the two release mechanisms, not the main cable from the cabin forward - still looking for a supplier who has the correct part)

thoughts? thanks,

Rolf in MA

[z3540i]

Use a wire Stripper to remove another inch of jacket so u can use the vice grip again

Sent from my Samsung

[Vintage42]

my son's '97 Z3 has a hood latch cable with a broken end (cabin)... (we DID order a new hood cable from ESC, but they only sent the front length for between the two release mechanisms, not the main cable from the cabin forward - still looking for a supplier who has the correct part)...

They sent the cable between the two front latches, because you asked for the hood cable, but part you need is not called a cable. You can go to RealOEM.com and put in your VIN and look at Hood, and it is item 12:
12 ENGINE HOOD MECHANISM 51238397410 $30.81 (Typical price, as RealOEM is not a vendor)

You can go to BMW of South Atlanta and search on that part and order it from them for $38:
http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...rm=51238397410

Or use the part number to get it from ESC. When ordering parts, you must always know the part number.

[rbpbfc]

thanks, Vintage42
correct part ordered

unfortunately, z3540i, there is no more cable to strip - just the tiniest bit protruding through the side panel
we need a way to open the hood from in front

anyone? thanks

[Blacklane]

Often you can reach the latch from under the car using a long hooked tool, but I have never tried it on a Z3.
Personally, I would have installed a wire out the grill or fender well the first time it happened.

[z3540i]

Take the side panel off! Then proceed with my first idea...only takes a second to take the panel off an route the cable out

Sent from my Samsung

[MarcMacZ3]

I had this problem awhile back.

I took the kicker panel off (area around hood latch).

Exposed the wire enough for a pair of vise grips to get a good clasp on.

Clamped the vise grips and used the plastic wheel that turns the latch as leverage to pull the cable towards me.

[rbpbfc]

I misspoke
plastic side panel is already off
there is almost no cable coming through the metal side wall of the driver's footwell
(we've already been doing the vise grips trick for many months)
is there really no way to release the hood from the front of the car?

ah, just noticed Blacklane's post, thanks, will try that

[wrose]

You may be able to access the hood latch if you can remove the hood kidney grille -Not sure if you can get it out from the front and my hood is out for painting so I can't try. I'd try the dr.side one first as that will get you to the main cable.
good luck