Engine lid won't open
 

Surprisingly, a pretty exhaustive search of the forum came up empty on this.

My engine lid won't release. I suspect the cable is bad/loose/disconnected. It had been a bit fishy for a little while (several strong pulls before it would open), and of course I didn't address the problem in time.

So, the $64k question is: how do I get this thing open so I can fix the problem??

The release handle still has tension and I can pull it 1/4 inch or so and it still springs back. It feels like I can't pull it far enough to release the latch. This makes me think that the cable is not broken and perhaps only in need of adjustment - if adjustment is possible.

Anyone know how I can get the lid open?? I CAN'T be the first person this has happened to!

You could try parking the car on un- even ground and pull the release while someone pushes down on the lid.

Or you could (Last resort) cut the cable and it should open the latch.

Thanks Ron. Simply putting some pressure on the lid while releasing did the trick. Now, the question is: what adjustments are available to fix this problem? I checked the Bentley manual and came up empty.

Thanks.

Todd - While the engine lid is open, cover the latching hole with some masking tape. Put a spot of grease or other suitable "marking material" on the tip of the cone shaped latch. Lower the lid until the latch cone and the tape barely touch, then check to see where the grease mark is. It could be that the latch opening is off center. loosen the latch opening piece enough to slide it around, test the position of the latch cone tip until it is centered in the hole, and tighten.

Tom

Or your engine lid could be off center. Check your lid panel gaps. The whole lid might need positional adjustment.

Tom

Do a search for threads started by me. You will see how I finally did it.

I used a thin steel rule to get between the cover and the body and pushed things around until the lid popped open. I then used a tip from another poster to adjust, but putting a piece of toweling paper over the hole and observing where the plunger pierced it. Works like the tape/grease mark method above.