I can't pop my hood

[Newjack]

So I got to work and wanted to check the oil level on my car. Pulled the latch inside the car and when I went to pull the little lever hanging out of the kidney grill, nothing happens. It doesn't click or want to open. So right now I can't open my hood.

I'm at work and haven't had a chance to really research the problem.

What can I do to fix this? Really hoping its not expensive....

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[Mtnman]

Check it out more. Did you wiggle and press down on the hood slightly to make sure it wasnt just stuck?

[Hornung418]

Grab it by the kidneys and move from left to right while lifting the lever.

Reminds me of the hatch on my old 944. Never wanted to open - needed some persuasion.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[midlandtech]

We always use to push down/bump the hood if it was stuck maybe try that

[Johnmadd]

#pushthehoodlikeadrunkfriendwhilesomeoneispullingt heleverandthensp

[Johnmadd]

#Spraysomewd40onit

[Hermes]

pull harder... your cable is stretched out and needs to be adjusted

edit: Carl thinks that w/E46 the cable has snapped... you might have a big issue opening that without some expert help

[Avetiso]

I would just cut it if you have the tools. A new lock is $20 on ECS.

[Newjack]

I tried lifting with the kidney grill and wiggling it a little. I was in uniform so I didn't want to play with it too much and get filthy. (Lots of salt and dirt on the car right now)

I can try a little more tomorrow morning before work.

If I replaced the cable I would want to replace the whole bracket thing too. Mine is old and bent which causes the lever to stick further out from my kidney grills than it should.

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[Newjack]

I think I found the parts at ECS but I'm not too sure what exactly I need. I'm having a hard time picturing how the hood lock system works.

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/Hood_Lock/ES91796/

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/Hood_Latch/ES91803/

[danewilson77]

You sure you don't need 6,7,etc?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV53&mospid=47725&btnr=41_1099&hg=41&fg=35

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/E46hoodlatch.png

[danewilson77]

OK. Re-read thread. Looks like you have the correct parts, unless you plan to replace the cable.

[Newjack]

You sure you don't need 6,7,etc?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV53&mospid=47725&btnr=41_1099&hg=41&fg=35

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/E46hoodlatch.png



Yeah I guess I would need the cable too lol.


I just found this. (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Body/Hood/ES2593449/)

$200... :facepalm

[danewilson77]

Nice

[aurelius]

On E30 there's a release mechanism in the grill by which you can pop it with a screwdriver. Seems like E46 would have some sort of similar back up method?

Here's what one guy did with his e39:

http://youtu.be/Gtj96Wtcfxs

[aurelius]

^^^ also see if your cable broke off the reel under the release lever inside the car, as was the case with the guy in video above. If so, maybe you'll only need a new cable? I bet routing it will be fun...

[Oli77]

Sorry to hear about the trouble but the title of your thread is funny and has intrigued me all day. Something about a double-o word next to pop makes me think poop.

[danewilson77]

Sorry to hear about the trouble but the title of your thread is funny and has intrigued me all day. Something about a double-o word next to pop makes me think poop.

:facepalm

Sent from the HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA and USA

[jrbudman]

Did you get the hood open? I kinda had the same problem with a stuck latch. Tried everything I could think of & couldn't get it to open. Sadly, I ended up having to break one of the kidneys & get a sawmill in there to cut the latch.

[jrbudman]

sawzall...not sawmill. damn autocorrect.

[JohnnyGraphic]

Seems like I?m headed down the same path. Stinking Germans with all of their engineering!

Hope I can get mine sorted out easily and I don?t have to resort to breaking things or using a sawzall (which I don?t have). First I?ll try WD40? Fortunately, my kidney grills are already broken and are loose. So I can pull those off easily.


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[JohnnyGraphic]

Seems like I?m headed down the same path. Stinking Germans with all of their engineering!

Hope I can get mine sorted out easily and I don?t have to resort to breaking things or using a sawzall (which I don?t have). First I?ll try WD40? Fortunately, my kidney grills are already broken and are loose. So I can pull those off easily.


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Turns out that the aforementioned broken kidney grills (URO brand) were to blame for my hood not opening. When it broke, a piece of the plastic wedged itself in the mechanism and prevented the latch from opening. When I took the grills out, a nice chunk of plastic came out and voila! The hood now opens! Whew! Genuine BMW kidney grills should be here today. Now, all I have to do is put those in without breaking them!


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[Oli77]

eaaaasy peeeasy, you are in CA, its warm, should fit nice. Imagine working on something like this in a cold climate.

[JohnnyGraphic]

eaaaasy peeeasy, you are in CA, its warm, should fit nice. Imagine working on something like this in a cold climate.

Whut? It?s supposed to be super cold today! Forecasted highs of only 56 degrees and partial clouds!!! JK

As badly as this state stinks in so many other ways, the weather ain?t one of them.


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[Oli77]

I left because of the weather! Couldn't stand the lack of seasons (in my defense I was coming from France and had 4 seasons).

[JohnnyGraphic]

I left because of the weather! Couldn't stand the lack of seasons (in my defense I was coming from France and had 4 seasons).

Be thankful you left, cuz otherwise, this state stinks.

Anyways, back on topic and a better mood...my hood opens! ;)

[Oli77]

yeaaaaaah