can't open e36 hood.

[MatyBMW]

Has anyone ever had problems with the hood release latch on an E36?

I can't pop my hood anymore and I've noticed alot of these release levers are pretty sketchy.

Any advice?

[Justin e36]

if the release lever is very very loose then the cable broke.. you'll have to go through the drivers side front fender well and manually pull the cable.

[325isedan]

my cable broke so i poped out the kidney grills and found the other end of the cable that was still connected and pulled on it and it opened, ur welcome.

[propr'one]

dont be a ****ing prick. say thanks for advice that was given to you, and be lucky you found another way of doing it in your case. most of the time, the cable wont snap back far enough that you can open it through the grilles (if your cable is that far forward, it will **** up your fan blades)

[325isedan]

it was a joke u **** pm me if u have a bone to pick with me

[Lug_n_trug]

Yeah...gggeeeeezzz propane! While this guy is in his anger management classes, think about your bad behaviour..

[Justin e36]

Originally Posted by 325isedan

my cable broke so i poped out the kidney grills and found the other end of the cable that was still connected and pulled on it and it opened, ur welcome.

how'd you get the kidney grills off from the outside, and where's your splash tray?

[propr'one]

kidney grilles pop right out on the outside, put your hand, fingers together, through the grilles, press down to unlock the clips on top, then work out the bottom. where his splash tray is-- im curious about that aswell.

[Justin e36]

Originally Posted by proprone

kidney grilles pop right out on the outside, put your hand, fingers together, through the grilles, press down to unlock the clips on top, then work out the bottom. where his splash tray is-- im curious about that aswell.

perhaps the 96+ grills?.. the early model grills aren't quite so easy to just pop out.

[propr'one]

Never tried pre 96 grilles, could be the case. How are the 96 grilles clipped into place, just plastic notches?

[Justin e36]

no... you can't access it through the grills, the locks are on the outside lip... the chrome surrounds have locks.. 2 top, 2 bottom, and 2 on either side... need a flat head to pry it out, and even then it's not always an easy task.

[propr'one]

hmm, sweet, since mine are so easy to take out im soooooooo tempted to steal some (cause mine are broken due to accident)

but if someone stole parts off my bmw i'd be pissed, dont want to do that to anyone who drives a e36