E36 98' 328i release cable handle has no resistance and hook is closed so I guess the cable snapped. After reading posts in the forum, I just realized I need to lubricate the latch regularly. My latches and lock are rusty and lock sometimes stuck a bit.
Checked a few youtube and posts and below are my options:
1. remove the kidneys /grill and try to locate crossover cable to pull (with a mirror)
2. from bottom to locate cable to pull at the driver side
3. get rid of driver side side signal and locate the passing cable
4. harder way is to remove bumper, aux electric fan and locate crossover cable
Any remaining latch can be opened with bend screwdriver.
Questions:
1. is #1 suggested way to open the hook in terms of time and feasibility?
2. I guess I need to replace the whole latch, cables, right?
from oem chart http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=41_1048
Besides 7,15,16, 20, what else to replace?
3. saw the post in E39 forum, not sure how it applies to E36.
"Replacing the latches &/or cables requires removing the bumper and electric auxiliary fan to make space to wriggle the latches out of their mounting pockets. This isn't as bad a job as it looks - depending on how fast you work 15 to 30 minutes to remove both for space to wriggle the latches out. And it's a one person job although one would think that you'd need two to remove and refit the bumper. There are DIYs around, both written and video."
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...+release+cable
Thanks a lot.
EDIT: pelican parts has an article about how to replace:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...eplacement.htm
Last edited by yxd0018; 12-14-2018 at 02:07 PM.
Id pull the handle off first and check there, and if that doesnt do the trick I'd go thru the driver side headlight.
Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk
I've never had to do it, but if I did I'd go behind the turn signal.
Last edited by Bostongruen; 12-14-2018 at 01:22 PM.
So I need to replace all of hood catch, upper part of hood lock, and lower part of hood lock, both cables? Anything else?
The trick of one person pull the cable while the other is wiggling the hood works. But I won't do it again until all the replacement parts arrive.
Meanwhile I failed to use tennis string to make a backup release mechanism. I'm not sure if I should tie the string to the middle cable connecting both latches the next time I open the hood.
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