Z3 Bonnet Release Heart Stopper

Robert Wiles

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Points
145
Location
Sunny Southend-on-Sea
Model of Z
Z3 3.0
Went to open the bonnet the other day and the lever pulled all the way back but the bonnet didn't release. Nightmare!!! I'd read a few posts about the problem so you can imagine that I went into panic mode. Mrsw kindly pulled the lever whilst I pulled at the bonnet edge which, after a few choice words, eventually released. On closer examination I noticed that the cable had popped out of its retainer at the off-side latch (left side as you look at the front of the car). After removing the screws holding the bonnet latch, I ended up taking the headlamp out to get sufficient access, after which it was easy to re-position the cable. It seems that the plastic moulding that retains the cable had relaxed, which let the cable pop out. To prevent it happening again I put a cable tie around the cable inlet on the latch.
Stupidly, I didn't take any pics to post but if if you suddenly find your bonnet doesn't release as well as it did, it may be worth checking the cable at the driver's side latch. Hope this helps someone.
 

ZTec

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Oct 18, 2014
Points
171
Location
Llantwit Major
Model of Z
Z3
When something like that happens the last thing on your mind is ‘I’ll take some photos of my misfortune’, you just want to fix it.
 
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