Bonnet latch Passenger Side Broken Cable

[ZEDonist UK]

See post number 28 “#28” for outcome, solution and guide.

Hi everyone,

I know this has been gone through a few times, but….

Bonnet will not unlatch on the passenger side.
This is the side the manual release is located once the cabin bonnet release lever has been pulled.

Ive pulled the kidney grill out and tried pulling on the cable to the bonnet latch only to find the cable is no longer connected to the latch!!!! No idea how.

Ive tried pulling the manual release under the bonnet but it doesn’t seem to do anything.

There is a near impossible slot which I’ve circled yellow in a photo. Is it something of use?

Its impossible to access the latch from under the car.

Any suggestions?

thanks
Martin

 

[ZEDonist UK]

The cable went through this way - where torch is shining - is it possible to get something in there?

 

[ZEDonist UK]

Looking up from underneath you can see the gaping hole where the kidney grill was.
The black plastic I’m shining the torch at is blocking access to the bonnet latch
All you can see through the cut out is the manual latch

 

[Dino D]

That’s an odd one with the cable popping out!

not sure if having someone push down while you pull the release kale by hand will help as suggested on this thread;

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/help-z3-bonnet-hood-wont-release.763477/

 

[t-tony]

The cable pops out because it is seized up. We had a similar issue on Dawn's car on a Shed day last year. It was compounded by an AA man who thought it best to over tension it.

Tony.

 

[DrWong]

Had similar, insofar as bonnet wouldn’t open due to rusted cables, and had pulled driver’s side kidney grille out.

Managed to release the bonnet by smashing into the bonnet catch housing with hammer and chisel. Biggest ever feeling of relief when it popped up hahaha

 

[t-tony]

At these times you have to be forceful.

Tony.

 

[ZEDonist UK]

My biggest issue is how do I get to the bonnet catch?

I can’t push and pull on the bonnet to release the catch as there is no cable connected to the latch to activate the release mechanism.

I can’t see a way of getting a chisel or any form of saw onto it either

 

[ZEDonist UK]

@DrWong what age car and what engine was this?
Do you remember if it was driver or passengers side latch? I assume driver’s as that’s the kidney grill you removed.

 

[DrWong]

2001 3.0 litre

It was definitely driver's side kidney grille I pulled out, as it was the main cable to the first latch on the driver's side that had gone on mine. Luckily, I could see and feel that the cable to the passenger side was still attached (the one that's pulled out in your case).

 

[DrWong]

And definitely the driver's side latch that I smashed in

 

[DrWong]

Just popped the bonnet to have a look. The passenger bonnet latch is effectively walled off by part of the slam panel and headlight enclosure.

Would seem hammer and chisel is only an option for the driver's side latch. Apologies, not particularly helpful in your case.

 

[ZEDonist UK]

We have the same car pretty much! 3.0 2000 reg.

I’d happily smash it to bits. I’d get a lot of pleasure from that…
Thank you for looking

 

[DrWong]

As far as I can tell, you'd have to cut a hole in the wall of the slam panel to get to the passenger latch. No reason why it wouldn't work tho, but you'd then have to replace the slam panel (or not, depending on whether the bit that's cut serves any purpose - I'm not sure it does..)

On driver's side, you can also access latch from below and actually nudge it with a long screwdriver to release. But just checked the passenger latch and the bottom is walled off by the passenger headlight unfortunately.

 

[ZEDonist UK]

I’m going to get an endoscope (bore camera) and try and see what can be done.
I was hoping to reach around with something and hook the latch. I suspect it will need quite a lot of force though.

I’m reluctant to damage anything but if it needs to be done it will be.
I suspect the headlight will end up being sacrificed

 

[DrWong]

I’ll take some photos of the passenger side this afternoon/after work, so you have some idea of what you’re dealing with

 

[DrWong]

A slam panel looks a lot cheaper than a headlight, just saying (£60 on eBay)

 

[t-tony]

Would a hole saw in a drill give access to the catch?

Tony.

 

[ZEDonist UK]

@t-tony I was considering that too.
Working underneath the car, get a long bit with hole saw and drill a 25mm (or whatever size) access hole in the black plastic air intake.
From there hopefully get a screwdriver or pry on the latch.

A slam panel is cheap. It’s a lot more work to fit though
I guess you would potentially get away with not having to do it though…. Hmmmmm

 

[ZEDonist UK]

Effectively cut this section out. Not sure it’ll give me access to where I need to be with the light in situ though