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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 526
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Broken engine lid/cover release cable
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 |
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Alii&Maui
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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.
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1982 SC Coupe SCWDP#0087 KCSSL#0082 |
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 526
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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 |
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Orem, Ut.
Posts: 48
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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 |
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 526
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Sounds like a plan. I'll bring some coat hangers with me.
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Registered
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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...
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Mitch Leland "03" 996 C2S-LS3 V8-480 HP "84" 911 Turbo Look-Sold w/ found memories |
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: VA
Posts: 591
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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.
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 526
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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 |
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Member 911 Anonymous
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Whoa that is cool, too bad no pics
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'85 Carrera Targa Factory Marble Grey/Black * Turbo Tail * 930 Steering Wheel* Sport Seats * 17" Fuchs (r) * 3.4 * 964 Cams * 915 * LSD * Factory SS * Turbo Tie Rods * Bilsteins * Euro Pre-Muff * SW Chip on 4K DME * NGK * Sienes GSK * Targa Body Brace PCA/POC |
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 526
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I'll try taking pictures tomorrow.
I still even have the coat hanger attached. -Don |
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Member 911 Anonymous
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That would be totally awesome and what a contribution to the board
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'85 Carrera Targa Factory Marble Grey/Black * Turbo Tail * 930 Steering Wheel* Sport Seats * 17" Fuchs (r) * 3.4 * 964 Cams * 915 * LSD * Factory SS * Turbo Tie Rods * Bilsteins * Euro Pre-Muff * SW Chip on 4K DME * NGK * Sienes GSK * Targa Body Brace PCA/POC |
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 7,286
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I knew someone has this situation, he removed the left corner light housing and pull the latch from there.
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Fat butt 911, 1987 |
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I know this sound crazy, but try parking it on a side hill one wheel flat and one up and tug on the lid.
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1974 sahara beige 911 targa 1982 chiffon 911sc 1985 prussian blue metallic carrera |
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