Bonnet Catch Won't Open

[Bing]

No worries, didn't mention the f-word once either

[exdos]

I've taken the nearside wheel off and removed the plastic panel from the wheel arch liner and the bonnet catch is accessible this way.

I pressed on the lever arm and the bonnet opened. Since it was easy enough to undo this way, after lubricating the catch, I closed the bonnet and tried releasing it again, and it still wouldn't open. The cable is not fouled by any of my work, so I think the cable might have broken, so I'll investigate further. The main thing is that I've been able to open the bonnet and so I can now repair at my leisure.

Now that I've found this out, it should be possible to get access to the catch without removing the front wheels.



Bing I've taken a photo of the part which I think is a switch for the alarm system. It looks very much like a similar part on my Z3MC which I know for sure is an alarm switch (common problem on that car). I've not undone it to see if it has a wire connection to check though. As always, I'm prepared to be wrong.

[BMWZ4MC]

Glad you managed to open it without too much hassle, my father had the same problem with his Z3. Clearly you've worn through the cable by opening the bonnet too often in order to fettle the induction system

I must say, like Bing, I thought the switch for the alarm was at the back of the engine compartment and that which you have photographed simply adjusts the height of the closed bonnet so it will sit flush with the wings. I'll have a look at mine when next I venture into the garage.

[srhutch]

That's just a bump stop. as Bing and BMWZ$MC have said the alarm switch is between the braces on the bulkhead.

[exdos]

Glad to be corrected on the bonnet stops

BMWZ4MC, I think you're probably right: I do open and close my bonnet more than most will. However, a small price to pay.

[sam1832]

Glad to be corrected on the bonnet stops

BMWZ4MC, I think you're probably right: I do open and close my bonnet more than most will. However, a small price to pay.

Mine will be next than, I open mine every time it goes back into the garage to let the heat from the engine warm the garage lol

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[Beedub]

nice.... at least for future note i can open the hood by popping the view hatches... this would be a god damn nightmare if this option wasnt avilable!!! Glad you got this sorted.... p.s john.... may have a very nice present for you within a few weeks all you have to do is collect it in person will PM you shortly

[wattsie]

Have you tried pulling the release lever and seeing if the cable is moving at the other end or have i missed that bit in my fast scrolling?

Mine jams all the time, I find that once I have pulled the release lever up in the cabin, if i twist it slightly, (being careful as it feels flimsy) that it usually catches and opens.

Wattsie

[exdos]

I've now sorted this problem out on my car and it now opens better than it has ever done since I've had the car.

Before I posted this thread, I'd done a search on the forum and found that this is quite a common problem and usually afflicts the nearside of the car. I now know the reason why this might cause many of the difficulties others have had and this is the explanation.

If you look at the photo below; on the end of the Bowden cable there's a grommet with a groove around it and for the cable to function properly, this grommet must be properly located in the metal bracket that is supposed to retain it. This means that it must be properly pushed towards the rear of the car. The photo shows the cable properly located.



The picture below shows how my Bowden cable was attached when I couldn't open the bonnet, and it shows that it wasn't properly fixed, presumably by a BMW stealer, before I bought the car.




I think the problem is caused because this grommet is located adjacent to one of the catches on the air-filter box, as shown below. When you're fastening the lid onto the air-filter box, it's quite tricky getting your hands around the box to do this, and it's likely that in doing this, your hands will push against the Bowden cable, displacing it in the housing so that it might get dislodged. I would suggest that every time you open your air-filter box, you also make sure that the Bowden cable is properly retained. I hope that my little problem, and how I've solved it, helps others avoid this situation in the future.



Thanks to all for advice and suggestions. I love the helpfulness of forums and I always enjoy doing my bit for self-help. Many hands make light work,

[exdos]

nice.... at least for future note i can open the hood by popping the view hatches... this would be a god damn nightmare if this option wasnt avilable!!! Glad you got this sorted.... p.s john.... may have a very nice present for you within a few weeks all you have to do is collect it in person will PM you shortly

Yes, thank goodness there's easy access to the catches, but would be a nightmare if you were out on the road and needed emergency access to the engine bay.

You've got me intrigued, Byron???????? I'm really looking forward to having your supercharger!

[Beedub]

nice.... at least for future note i can open the hood by popping the view hatches... this would be a god damn nightmare if this option wasnt avilable!!! Glad you got this sorted.... p.s john.... may have a very nice present for you within a few weeks all you have to do is collect it in person will PM you shortly

Yes, thank goodness there's easy access to the catches, but would be a nightmare if you were out on the road and needed emergency access to the engine bay.

You've got me intrigued, Byron???????? I'm really looking forward to having your supercharger!

ok well.... not quite the supercharger but nearly as good well, i went on the GB for the vibratech z4m FAST road and compeition billet mounts..... i have 2 sets, one comp ( super stiff) and one fast road, im going to run the Competition set ( as long as its not toooooooo harsh) the mounts cost around 240 quid each set.... They are a work of art john, billet bodies that are completely failsafe filled with natural rubber inserts, they are COMpletely rebuilable.... we will never need another engine mount, the fast road offer no more NHV the stock,the compeition ones well.... no-body knows, hence why im trying them... once ive got them in and confirm i can live with them i want to donate the fast road set to you... why well.... partly because your quite literally barking mad.... ( reminds me of me) and well.... partly because.... im glad you here on the forum, and lastly because well.... you understand. They are YOUrs. (btw this is a great time to sort the failing engine mount frame bolts which back out)

With the fast road set you will get no more nvh than stock but a stiffer mount with much better compression qualities.. an for 30 quid you can rebuild them at home



all you have to do... is drive up and collect them ( id prefur to hand them in person) or ill go take them to your daughters house

[exdos]

ok well.... not quite the supercharger but nearly as good well, i went on the GB for the vibratech z4m FAST road and compeition billet mounts..... i have 2 sets, one comp ( super stiff) and one fast road, im going to run the Competition set ( as long as its not toooooooo harsh) the mounts cost around 240 quid each set.... They are a work of art john, billet bodies that are completely failsafe filled with natural rubber inserts, they are COMpletely rebuilable.... we will never need another engine mount, the fast road offer no more NHV the stock,the compeition ones well.... no-body knows, hence why im trying them... once ive got them in and confirm i can live with them i want to donate the fast road set to you... why well.... partly because your quite literally barking mad.... ( reminds me of me) and well.... partly because.... im glad you here on the forum, and lastly because well.... you understand. They are YOUrs. (btw this is a great time to sort the failing engine mount frame bolts which back out)

With the fast road set you will get no more nvh than stock but a stiffer mount with much better compression qualities.. an for 30 quid you can rebuild them at home



all you have to do... is drive up and collect them ( id prefur to hand them in person) or ill go take them to your daughters house

Byron,

Thanks for thinking of me with these parts and for your kind words. I'd seen your posting on these elsewhere and thought they look very interesting and some very nice engineering.

As for me being barking mad; remember that genius is next to madness and I don't think I'm quite at the barking stage just yet...

I'll come and visit you sometime after the forecast bad weather has passed. I've got my Z4MC in bits today after fixing the bonnet catches, and continuing the project that I told you I was starting last weekend. I'll keep my eye on the forecasts and we'll arrange a visit soon.

[Beedub]

No probs John, I won't get the Comp mounts in for at least a few weeks as its just too cold to do stuff at the mo, they are yours however


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[andysat]

What a great problem sorting post this has been!-great to know the cable is easy to get at aswell

[Bing]

Glad you to it fixed exdos - great narration of the problem too. Dead chuffed - that was one of my guesses