Broken engine lid/cover release cable

[Don Nguyen]

The release cable for the engine lid broke off the other day. I do not have a spare release cable anywhere to be found. Does anyone have any suggestions on possible solutions/alternatives that I can open the trunk lid?

The car is at a body shop that is closing this week, and I need to open the engine lid to add oil and make sure that my engine is running and everything is good before I take the car back.

-Don

[Jesset100]

Don, I hope everything works out and you get your car out of there. I think the latch default to the open position. Just push down on the engine lid above the latch and the engine lid should pop up. While I haven't had the pleasure of my cable breaking I read "how to" on this forum.

[Don Nguyen]

Thanks.

From what I have read, there are two latch designs. One with a circular design which is designed to open by default when the cable breaks.

Then there is a "D" shape design where this is not the case. I can't recall which design my trunk has right now, so I am going with worse case scenario. I am trying to load up on information on every which way that is possible, so I can try to attempt it when I go to the shop tomorrow.

I am even willing to damage the lid, in order to verify that my engine is ok. However, that would be worse case scenario.

-Don

[914TWO]

Hi Don,

I had a friend who had the same problem some years ago, and we were able to remove the left rear turn signal housing and using a clothes hanger with a hook on the end, get at the latch and get it to open. I believe that car was an
89 911. I hope this helps.

Steve

[Don Nguyen]

Sounds like a plan. I'll bring some coat hangers with me.

[Mitch Leland]

Don - +1...

On my "84" you have to have tension on the cable to keep the lid close. In my case a couple of weeks ago the retaining sleeve had slipped and while the cable was still attached because of the bent wire end the lid would not stay latched. I had to pull on the cable at the latch, then re-tighten the cable retaining sleeve. Pretty clever bullet proof system for not getting locked out...

[trak ratt]

Times 2 on unlock as default. If stuck might try pulling up, then pushing down (fast) on it to get it to release. I've had 2 break on me over the years (different cars) and this always worked.

[Don Nguyen]

In case anyone ever gets in the same situation as I was in (broken engine lid release, no emergency release cable, and no spring loaded latch), I was able to find a way to open my engine lid/trunk without damaging anything.

On the driver side there is a hole/opening right above where the cat attaches to the primary muffler. If you can shine a line through there, you can spot the engine lid release latch where the main cable attaches to. I was able to thread a metal cloths hanger with a hook on the end and pull on the hood release. I had my rear bumper off, so this made it a lot easier to do.

-Don

[DRACO A5OG]

Whoa that is cool, too bad no pics

[Don Nguyen]

I'll try taking pictures tomorrow.

I still even have the coat hanger attached.

-Don

[DRACO A5OG]

That would be totally awesome and what a contribution to the board

[rnln]

I knew someone has this situation, he removed the left corner light housing and pull the latch from there.

[kodioneill]

I know this sound crazy, but try parking it on a side hill one wheel flat and one up and tug on the lid.