Help - 993 engine bay cable jammed

[kbarnes70]

Hi - I went to open my engine bay lid today and the cable is stuck so the lid won't open. Anyone know how I can open the lid without using the release inside the door jamb? I guess there must be a way because until I have opened the lid, I can't fix the problem with the cable! Many thanks. The car is a 993, LHD, Targa (electric glass roof), 1996 model. Regards from England, Keith

[jbkeir]

Have you tried pressing down on the engine hood while having a friend gently pull the cable? I think that the Porsche Engineers built this into the design. Don't pull or force the cable too much, you don't want to pull the handle from the cable.

Try a search on this issue on this site, I remember reading about this before.

John

[Don Plumley]

most 993's have an emergency release cable installed for the trunk, and if you are lucky, for the engine lid.

Copied from Rennlist: "Use the emergency cable located behind the left tail lite assembly. Get a clothes hanger and flashlight. Using a wooden paint stick (or similar tool) slightly raise the assembly by inserting the stick between the bottom of the assembly and bumper. Use the flashlight to locate the looped end of the cable. Grab the loop with the coat hanger and pull it out from under the assembly. Then pull the cable with your hand and the trunk will open. It will take you longer to find a flashlight with good batteries than it will to open the trunk."

Otherwise, what John is suggesting is spot on - and an easy first try.

[kbarnes70]

Originally posted by kbarnes70
Hi - I went to open my engine bay lid today and the cable is stuck so the lid won't open. Anyone know how I can open the lid without using the release inside the door jamb? I guess there must be a way because until I have opened the lid, I can't fix the problem with the cable! Many thanks. The car is a 993, LHD, Targa (electric glass roof), 1996 model. Regards from England, Keith

Guys, I can't thank you enough. Both you and Don have suggestions that work brilliantly. Just opened the lid by simply pressing down on it while my girlfriend pulled on the cable. I was getting worried about checking the oil and didn't want to have to take the car back to Porsche just to fix this one thing. Now it can wait until the service is due. Thanks once again. Kind regards, Keith

[Don Plumley]

Keith - glad the simple method worked for you. Now with the lid open, you can confirm if you have the emergency cable installed. - you will see two cables attached to the release, not just one.

Also - you do know to check oil level with engine running at temp? (I'm sure you do, but had to ask).

Cheers,

Don

[kbarnes70]

Originally posted by Don Plumley
Keith - glad the simple method worked for you. Now with the lid open, you can confirm if you have the emergency cable installed. - you will see two cables attached to the release, not just one.

Also - you do know to check oil level with engine running at temp? (I'm sure you do, but had to ask).

Cheers,

Don

Hi Don,

Sadly no emergency cable installed in mine - maybe they don't do it in European spec cars? At least now I have the engine compartment lid open I can adjust the latch - have found other advice in here about how to do that without locking myself out for good!

Yes - no worries about checking oil - this is my 5th 911 over about 20 years. Will have to keep it for ever though as I dislike the water-cooled cars. Car is Guards red, 10 years old, absolutely immaculate (just finished 8000 dollar restoration to body) and has covered only 61,000 from new. Looks and drives like new now.

Thanks for your help - safe motoring.

Kind regards,

Keith