Locked Hood

[falut]

I am very worried. I can not open my hood to refill radiator water. I had the engine running with a/c for 30 mins and did not realise the engine got very hot. How do I unblock the hood?...I have no idea how or when it got blocked.

[thekid]

have you already pulled the black hood release underneath the drivers side dash? For US cars it is against the drivers outside wall under the near the front, directly under the front of the dash... not sure if that was very clear but hopefully you go the idea. Then go around to the front of the Car and for US cars, the lever is slightly right of center just pull up and your hood is opened.

[falut]

Hello Sir,

I have had my BMW for over eight years. The black hood release lever seems to be working (like I can feel how it pulls the hood lock) but it does not open the lock.
At one point I thought that it was a safety issue. That the car won't let you open your hood if the engine is really hot. But it is cold now and nothing happens. It is a 96 BMW 328i. Take care.

[Delmarco]

...for a minute there I actually thought this was a joke!

Run your fingers along the crevice of the hood I'm sure its something thats keeping the struts from sliding open...I had a similar problem when I installed a car BRA that connected to my hood struts...it jammed it in away that kept the hood from going up all the way....even though the lever under the dash popped the hood...

These struts are on the side by the way...also this advice is only if your hood pops open but doesn't rise all the way....

also a litlle Viagra in the fuel tank may help that hood rise!


but it should work

[Delmarco]

Originally posted by falut@Dec 25 2004, 10:29 PM
I am very worried. I can not open my hood to refill radiator water. I had the engine running with a/c for 30 mins and did not realise the engine got very hot. How do I unblock the hood?...I have no idea how or when it got blocked.

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And what are you doing putting water in the radiator? hopefully you were mixing it 50/50 with BMW only coolant.

And A/C on in the winter...ouch!

[thekid]

Ah yes, sorry I wasn't certain of what you were asking. So the lever does not pop the hood up at all? hmmm... maybe there is a way to take the handle off... I'm not sure though and unfortunately I can not look because my car is frozen shut...

[NeverLeaned]

You can here the hook release pop when you pull the lever in the car?

YES----> Try the GM hood release trick! Very common problem on G-Bodies. With the ball of your hand, bang down on your hood (not to hard now!) Pushing the hood down, compresses the release spring..... a couple of good taps in the right area and the hood will release itself so you can slide your hand under to the secondary release.

[falut]

Hello NeverLeaned,

Your idea worked perfectly. Thank you very much.

To follow up with my dramas, I added the radiator fluid and things seemed back to normal...but then I realised the engine overheated again and a major bang came along...losts of vapor and broken plastic parts ...damn... so sad. Tomorrow will see what the mechanics come up with...maybe the water pump is dead...I don't know...but mega problem it seems.

[SHAHAB323IS]

Originally posted by falut@Dec 26 2004, 10:39 PM
Hello NeverLeaned,

Your idea worked perfectly. Thank you very much.

To follow up with my dramas, I added the radiator fluid and things seemed back to normal...but then I realised the engine overheated again and a major bang came along...losts of vapor and broken plastic parts ...damn... so sad. Tomorrow will see what the mechanics come up with...maybe the water pump is dead...I don't know...but mega problem it seems.

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damn man i hope you get it fixed

[falut]

Hello SHAHAB323IS,

Thank you for your concern. My radiator has some broken plastic pieces. The problem started with a broken thermostat. Hope everything is fixed by tomorrow.