Hood Latch Cable Snapped In 1999 540i NEED HELP!!! - BMW Forum

Jboyle · 09-23-2010, 05:20 PM

the cable that allows my engine hood to open had snapped leaving the hood locked in on the 5 series, does anyone know how i can open it before i send it off to get a new cable installed leaving it at an import shop who knows how long it'll take them at 125$ and hour thanks anyone who answeres!!!!

harryinsaudi · 11-23-2010, 07:51 AM

if it's not too late you can find out how I did it on one of my previous threads... get back if you need help still. harry

Jboyle · 11-23-2010, 01:10 PM

thanks for the thread got it fixed back to normal now wires just slowly stripped damn,, thanks again!!!

harryinsaudi · 11-23-2010, 11:52 PM

I found that the plastic outer coating of the cable allows the crimped on metal "fastener" to move once it gets hot enough.... and with an outside air temp of 50 degrees to start with it does that pretty fast out here! Once the cable outer moves about then you don't get the leverage transferred along the inner cable to open the bonnet catches......

Solution, (which has lasted 18 months and 50,000 Km now) is to strip off the plastic coating and araldite the cable into situ in the plastic cover/connector inside the engine bay on the wheel arch