Loading ...Q I saw you had a quick fix for getting under the hood of an older model bmw 3 series while having a broken hood release cable, and was wondering if there was any shortcut for opening the hood like the response in the winter 09-10 “Fast Times” for my model bmw, 95 M3 (E36 coupe), I have the same problem, a broken hood release lever and cable, the cable end has moved from the locking mechanism leaving the hood locked shut and the only way I know to get to it is taking off the bumper, aux fan etc. Can you Help? It would be greatly appreciated.
A We are not aware of a trick for opening the hood, from the exterior, on the E36 chassis (3 series 92 through 98) when the release cable is broken. Your notes about removing the bumper, fan, etc. are all that we have heard as well.
Once you have the hood open and you can replace the cable, you will have to access the area where the cable runs from the interior, through the inner fender, by removing the plastic inner fender splash shield. If this does not allow you to access the routing, you will have to remove the fender. You will also have to remove the nose panel to access the cable connections to the two latch assemblies.
Make sure you check out all of the routing of the original cable before you start to remove it.
Click here to see Hood cables:
http://www.bavauto.com/se1.asp?dept_id=129
