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Newjack
03-08-2013, 05:27 PM
So I got to work and wanted to check the oil level on my car. Pulled the latch inside the car and when I went to pull the little lever hanging out of the kidney grill, nothing happens. It doesn't click or want to open. So right now I can't open my hood.

I'm at work and haven't had a chance to really research the problem.

What can I do to fix this? Really hoping its not expensive....

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Mtnman
03-08-2013, 05:45 PM
Check it out more. Did you wiggle and press down on the hood slightly to make sure it wasnt just stuck?
Hornung418
03-08-2013, 05:46 PM
Grab it by the kidneys and move from left to right while lifting the lever.

Reminds me of the hatch on my old 944. Never wanted to open - needed some persuasion.

From a GS3, this was sent.
midlandtech
03-08-2013, 06:13 PM
We always use to push down/bump the hood if it was stuck maybe try that
Johnmadd
03-08-2013, 06:27 PM
#pushthehoodlikeadrunkfriendwhilesomeoneispullingt heleverandthensp
Johnmadd
03-08-2013, 06:28 PM
#Spraysomewd40onit
Hermes
03-08-2013, 06:37 PM
pull harder... your cable is stretched out and needs to be adjusted

edit: Carl thinks that w/E46 the cable has snapped... you might have a big issue opening that without some expert help
Avetiso
03-08-2013, 06:42 PM
I would just cut it if you have the tools. A new lock is $20 on ECS.
Newjack
03-08-2013, 06:58 PM
I tried lifting with the kidney grill and wiggling it a little. I was in uniform so I didn't want to play with it too much and get filthy. (Lots of salt and dirt on the car right now)

I can try a little more tomorrow morning before work.

If I replaced the cable I would want to replace the whole bracket thing too. Mine is old and bent which causes the lever to stick further out from my kidney grills than it should.

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Newjack
03-09-2013, 10:54 AM
I think I found the parts at ECS but I'm not too sure what exactly I need. I'm having a hard time picturing how the hood lock system works.

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/Hood_Lock/ES91796/

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/Hood_Latch/ES91803/
danewilson77
03-09-2013, 10:59 AM
You sure you don't need 6,7,etc?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV53&mospid=47725&btnr=41_1099&hg=41&fg=35

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/E46hoodlatch.png
danewilson77
03-09-2013, 11:00 AM
OK. Re-read thread. Looks like you have the correct parts, unless you plan to replace the cable.
Newjack
03-09-2013, 11:04 AM
You sure you don't need 6,7,etc?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=EV53&mospid=47725&btnr=41_1099&hg=41&fg=35

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/E46hoodlatch.png



Yeah I guess I would need the cable too lol.


I just found this. (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Body/Hood/ES2593449/)

$200... :facepalm
danewilson77
03-09-2013, 11:08 AM
Nice
aurelius
03-09-2013, 11:18 AM
On E30 there's a release mechanism in the grill by which you can pop it with a screwdriver. Seems like E46 would have some sort of similar back up method?

Here's what one guy did with his e39:

http://youtu.be/Gtj96Wtcfxs
aurelius
03-09-2013, 11:21 AM
^^^ also see if your cable broke off the reel under the release lever inside the car, as was the case with the guy in video above. If so, maybe you'll only need a new cable? I bet routing it will be fun...
Oli77
03-09-2013, 01:28 PM
Sorry to hear about the trouble but the title of your thread is funny and has intrigued me all day. Something about a double-o word next to pop makes me think poop.
danewilson77
03-09-2013, 03:16 PM
Sorry to hear about the trouble but the title of your thread is funny and has intrigued me all day. Something about a double-o word next to pop makes me think poop.

:facepalm

Sent from the HTC DNA, Williamsburg, VA and USA
jrbudman
04-10-2022, 07:10 AM
Did you get the hood open? I kinda had the same problem with a stuck latch. Tried everything I could think of & couldn't get it to open. Sadly, I ended up having to break one of the kidneys & get a sawmill in there to cut the latch.
jrbudman
04-10-2022, 07:11 AM
sawzall...not sawmill. damn autocorrect.
JohnnyGraphic
07-24-2024, 05:47 PM
Seems like I?m headed down the same path. Stinking Germans with all of their engineering!

Hope I can get mine sorted out easily and I don?t have to resort to breaking things or using a sawzall (which I don?t have). First I?ll try WD40? Fortunately, my kidney grills are already broken and are loose. So I can pull those off easily.


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