96 bmw hood latch cable broke can't open hood

SEE A DEALER ONCE

use pliers to pull cable and order a replacement latch

Can yu reach the lock mechanism at front of hood w a long screwdriver. pry back where cable for release is attached for first latch. then as you would normally for safety latch.

On my 2002 s10 the small clip on the hood latch where the cable end attaches to the lever was broken.I finally drove a 3/4" mop handle and by prying,forced the grill down enough to unbolt the hood latch and after messing with it for a while I was able to reach behind the latch and press on it enough to drop the latch off the pin.Sure hope I don't ever have to do it again.

If What type of car? If e39 1997-2003 or 3 series 94-99, easy. buy small inspection mirror. look up by the latch. you'll see where the end cable connects. With a small stubby, move the plastic that the end cable attaches to, you are then moving the latch. Lift up hood. Of course you must pop out the kidney grill to gain access to the drivers side latch, 6 tabs hold it in. Hardest part of whole job is removing kidney grill. moving latch takes about 7 seconds.

theres a number of ways to sort this out but the best one is that if yourable to get hold of the cable then grip it very tight and pull and the lid should click letting you know its open, then just pull up the hood.

If the latch broke under the dash and you can see the cable but it is no longer connected to the latch then grab it with a set of pliers or vice-grips and pull toward the driver's seat, this should release the hood.

you will need to get to release arm or arm on latches, some of these bmws use two latches one on each side of the hood, use a long thin screw driver and try to reach the release arm,this arm is where the cable would pull to release the hood, try going from under the front of car and also from the grill area,this is not easy but can be done.

You should be able to pick up a used one at a junkyard for less than $20

You would have to acess the hood latch from underneath the car up through the grill area. Also if the cable broke off flush, you can cut back the liner and use pliers on the exposed cable. A new cable would come with the liner and all anyway.