Broken Hood Release Cable--how do I pop the hood? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bmeares · #1 10-16-2010, 01:44 PM

I went to pop the hood on my 86 190d this morning and nothing happened. I took a look at the release lever in the footwell and pulled on the cable manually--there was no resistance and the cable pulled out easily, leading me to believe it is either broken somewhere or is no longer connected to the other end of the release mechanism at the front of the car.

The problem is two fold:

1. I can't pop the hood
2. My stop diaphragm no longer works, so without being able to get under the hood to hit the stop lever, I have no way to stop the engine other than stalling it out (I have a 5spd manual)

So, any advice on how to get the hood open would be appreciated, and any advice on how to best stop the engine without breaking things would be great too.

muleears · #2 10-17-2010, 05:08 AM

Wish I could help you, thought I'd at least give this a bump. I have a 123 with a very stiff release and I'm afraid the cable will break soon and I'll be stuck too.

whunter · #3 10-17-2010, 10:17 AM

Read this thread for information on opening your hood.
Hood cable, hood latches, hood release, HELP! cannot open hood!

Have a great day.

bmeares · #4 10-27-2010, 06:19 PM

If your cable breaks up near the latch (hood) like mine, your only real option is to bust out the grille. I busted out the grille with a big adjustable wrench, and then used a large screwdriver to bust apart the black plastic housing covering the latch mechanism. Once this is done, just pull the latch with your finger and the hood will pop. To replace the cable, start from the front and work your way back. Tape the new cable to the old one end to end and use the old one to pull the new one in to place. Pretty straightforward all in all.

Yak · #5 10-27-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmeares

If your cable breaks up near the latch (hood) like mine, your only real option is to bust out the grille. I busted out the grille with a big adjustable wrench, and then used a large screwdriver to bust apart the black plastic housing covering the latch mechanism. Once this is done, just pull the latch with your finger and the hood will pop. To replace the cable, start from the front and work your way back. Tape the new cable to the old one end to end and use the old one to pull the new one in to place. Pretty straightforward all in all.

I can't speak for your model, but on the 123's you don't need to bust apart anything, even with the black plastic housing in place. You can angle a large screwdriver or pry bar through the slats from the drivers side towards the passenger side and push the latching hook back far enough to release. The trick is finding the correct part to push against.

For muleears - there are a few threads on adjusting and lubing the cable and handle. I think Army's was most recent. If your cable is binding and you want to delay the repair, you may want to pre-emptively rig some sort of coat-hanger based hook - or at least familiarize yourself with where the screwdriver has to fit when you have the luxury of an open hood.

RML · #6 11-06-2010, 08:50 PM

I ran into this problem recently with my W123 and found the a stiff coat hanger fashioned into a hook at one end can be inserted between two of the upper grill slats on the left (driver's) side of the car. The object then is to hook it around the same mechanism that the cable is pulling on. Then give it a firm pull. It sits right behind a cylinder that I believe houses the spring which pops up the hood when the latch is released. You will probably need a flashlight to see what you are doing.

I keep that hanger with the hook on one end in my trunk now, just in case. Now, to get that latch back into adjustment so this does not happen again.

Sorry I am not familiar with how the mechanism on the 86 190D is situated.