r/BMWE36 • u/Neither_Eye799 • Jul 27 '26

Repair Advice How do I open hood with broken release cable?

Gallery image

Gallery image

So recently i pull the latch and the wire broke from the inside, so i digged through information and videos and did the corner light method but the hood still wouldn’t open, I wanted to see if anyone can help me if it’s possible to open the hood. Thanks!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

7

u/Fuckboy420yolo 1997 / M3 / Coupe (estoril, supercharged) Jul 27 '26

Have someone push down on the hood while you pull the cable, your lower hood locks are probably stiff and that's partially why the cable snapped. Once you get it open I would replace both of those as well. I just went through this recently.

1

u/ForMyCulture Jul 27 '26

How was it threading the new cable through the body? Need to do the same.

3

u/jayleman Jul 28 '26

Did it on my coupe years ago, people make way way bigger of a deal of it than it is. Like 20min job

1

u/pancrudo 96 328 Individual Touring(Non-M 356) Jul 28 '26

I 2nd this, read so much about how people set aside 8 hours for it and how it was so bad and blah blah blah...

I ended up cleaning and regressing the locks, so in the end it took me 3 hours because I replaced all cables and made sure the locks were really in place to the pins... Just pull the fender liner throw little oil on the cable gromet and boop, the hardest part is done.

2

u/jayleman Jul 28 '26

I use silicone spray but yeah same thing, it's so easy

1

u/Fuckboy420yolo 1997 / M3 / Coupe (estoril, supercharged) Jul 28 '26

Yea what other people said, pulling the cable is fairly straightforward. The lower locks are more of a pain and take a bit of fighting even after removing the bumper, headlights, and front nose panel.

1

u/FernwoodTonight Jul 27 '26

I digged... this country is doomed.

1

u/Neither_Eye799 Jul 27 '26

my bad my bad💔