2000 540i hood does not lock in closed position

[tvlodek]

Does anyone know how to replace the hood locks or bowden cable over the fans/under the front tray?

[Jeron]

Do u mean the hood wont fully latch down? That is usually the height of the latch or the adjustment of the hood stops. It could also be a sticking latch. You need to figure out what is wrong, if you haven't already, before replacing the latch.

[tvlodek]

Right, the problem is I just replaced the timing chain, before I did, it worked fine. The only thing I can conclude is that I did something to it while removing the radiator. If you ever did a timing chain and followed the CD's, you know they tell you to perform a lot of unnecessary steps, so the job took longer than it should have and I forget what, if anything, I did to the mechanism. It's almost impossible to get access, I need to know how I can, I don't want to remove the radiator again for this, the only other alternative seems to be to disassemble the plate that holds the radiator in place, above the fans. Trying to access it through the grill seems hopeless. I'm tired of working on this car, I could just bring it to dealer and have them do it but they tried to rip me off twice already before, once for a broken $1.67 spring in the transmission, the second time, when I jumped a tooth on my timing chain, they told me I needed a new engine. Not only that, their mechanics are hacks and break stuff off (i.e. fuel injector connectors, etc) and I don't want them anywhere near my car again. I just want to know how to get access to this thing.....