My engine compartment lid is Jammed!

bcolins · 04-14-2002, 03:25 PM

I have begun reattaching the various bits I took off my 83 911SC prior to having it painted.

I reassembled my deck lid and installed it, ball parked the position, snugged the nuts down that secure it , and gently closed it to test. ........... It looked close, so, I thought I would close it to see how the edges lined up. It closed to the first catch and I could see that it wasn't right so I pulled on the latch release and ....Uh Oh.......it won't open!!! I have a feeling that I am not the first to do this......Am I screwed??

Any Suggestions??

Brian

jriera · 04-14-2002, 03:39 PM

Brian, same happen to me last week while 'ftting' my new ducktail... fortunately I did not install the rear grill so I was able to loose the allen bolts at the hinges.

If you have the grille installed.. I don't know the answer, I did try moving (fairly strongly) the tail up, down, sideways while pulling the release cable without any results, very frustrating.

Good luck

pwd72s · 04-14-2002, 04:41 PM

Just a thought..and I'm not giving sure odds of it working. But if you pull the muffler, maybe a way you could get to the latch from underneath enough to pull the sliding blade or the latch post away enough to free things up??? Crossing my fingers. Also hoping a pro will weigh in with the perfect & easy solution. Thanks for the grille tip, jriea...should I ever find myself playing with the rear latch, the grille will be OUT...I'd have never thought of that on my own.

Bill Douglas · 04-14-2002, 04:53 PM

Good luck Brian with the other ideas. If they don't work you could cut the cable. The engine lid catch is a "fail open" design, so in other words it's designed so if there is no tention on the cable, such as a broken cable, the latch will be in an open position. To cut the cable you could get to it in the door stricker panel location. Give it a really hard pull upward before you do anything drastic though.

Bill '79SC.

stormcrow · stormcrow's Garage

Have someone press down on the edge of the lid to help take pressure of the locking mechanism. This should help in releasing it.

Steve

78 911 SC Targa

Saffs · 08:07 PM

Before you take ANYTHING apart, get someone to pull on the release, whilst you push down on the lid and try to pull it up and open it. Usually this works for stuck lids. And beats taking mufflers off!
Good luck.

rob911 · rob911's Garage

MAybe a workshop will have a genuine solution, like the one in the Bentley book that works for the front hood problem.

I had to butcher my cable sheath in the LH rear arch to allow me to pull the cable. Release handle on mine is rusted solid. Only did it 'cuase I was still running the car and I had to keep an eye on the oil etc...

The car is undergoing a full resto at the moment so I am not too worried about getting the cable sheathe repaired. Small beer compared to the final bill.

Sean Hamilton · Sean Hamilton's Garage

Brian, I had the same problem. The body shop didn't re-align the plunger properly after re-fitting the deck lid.
the lesson I learned is to loosen that plunger for re-alignment whenever re-fitting the deck lid.
I did exactly what Stormcrow and Saffs recommended - got someone to hold the cable yanked out, whilst I careful wiggled and depressed the deck lid up and down with my hands only the very extreme lower corner edges where the deck lid is strongest - anywhere to the centre and you're likely to buckle the skin and fracture the clear coat....... I've been there!
After it sprung, I just barely snugged the nuts up to allow me to move the plunger by hand. I then gently closed the lid without closing it all the way and the plunger had enough slack in it to re-align itself. I tightened the nuts a bit firmer and closed it all he way. Gave the cable a yank and up it sprang. Fixed.