Broken bonnet cable - anyone know how to get bonnet open?

[silverz]

Hi,

Went to check under the bonnet this morning, pulled the bonnet release and about a foot of the inner cable came out, obviously the cable either has broken or let go at the release mechanism. has anyone had this happen before? and if so how do you get the bonnet open?

 

I am thinking I will have to get under the car, unfortunately my ramps etc are still in Townsville with my family. Anyway I would appreciate any advice.

 

Thanks

Regards

Peter

 

 

[specialp3]

Have had this happen before Peter, the only way I could get the bonnet open was to get under the car and push the release mechanism (where the cable sits in) with a long flat blade screwdriver.

 

Do you have a jack Or maybe park 2 wheels on the gutter to give yourself some room to get under.

 

Hope this works .

 

Cheers,

Aaron

[WA240Z]

I feel for you Peter.

 

One other requirement is have long arms. It has happened to me before as well, I'm 6.4, and only just reached the release. From memory I think the left hand side of the engine was the easier side to attack from. One other idea may be if you have bonnent vents (260Z), you may be able to cut the vent out and replace with a new one. If you are missing your ramps maybe just start and run down to a local garage, flip the mechanic $20 to borrow his hoist for 5 minutes. Most likely a lot easier to get to on a hoist rather than ramps as I have done before.

 

Good luck.

 

Billy.

[sco_aus]

When mine broke, I went a bit further than the cable break point and cut through the plastic surrounding.  Then got a pair of plyers and pulled the cable to release.  Until I got my replacement, this is how I had to open the bonnet.  Just depends on whether the break point is past the firewall.

[silverz]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I suspect the cable has either broken or some how become disconnected at the release mechanism. Though I will check it out from inside the car and if the break is on the right side of the firewall I will use pliers on the intact piece of cable. Otherwise I will try to borrow some ramps get a long screwdriver and a torch and try to get it open from underneath. Unfortunately being a 240Z there are no vents to go through.

 

I didn't let it spoil my day however and went for a nice drive to Rutherglen - Yarrawonga - Corrowa -  Howlong and back to Bonegilla.  The good thing about this area is all the towns are close together.

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Regards

Peter

[silverz]

I had time this afternoon to get the car up on ramps. Armed with a torch and long skinny arms I was able to get my arm up the left side of the motor (passenger side) and put my finger in the hole on the underside of the bonnet release mechanism mounting bracket. To my surprise I was able to release the bonnet catch with my finger. Maybe the hole in the underside of the mounting bracket is for that purpose?

There is not a lot of room however and you have to be careful not to burn your arm on the exhaust. My car has stock exhaust manifold, it may be harder with extractors/headers?

Anyway it turned out to be much easier than I thought to get the bonnet open. I had read alarming stories on US websites about people undoing the hinges at the front of the bonnet or making special tools out of 3 ft long metal rods with multiple 90 degree bends and hooks etc just to get the bonnet open.

As suspected the cable is broken at the mechanism. On Mon I will ring AllZparts and see if they have a new one they can send me. Thanks everyone for the advice.

Maybe the info I have put here can help someone else if they are ever faced with the same situation.

 

Regards

Peter

[silverz]

Bonnet cable issue now sorted.

Rang AllZParts on Tue and had genuine cable here on Thu (I rate the speedy service). Fitted it today.

 

For info for anyone else that has this drama. Nissan Bonnet cable part no 65640-N3300.

Total cost of cable (incl GST and express post) $74.90.

 

Regards

Peter

[Six_Shooter]

Anyway it turned out to be much easier than I thought to get the bonnet open. I had read alarming stories on US websites about people undoing the hinges at the front of the bonnet or making special tools out of 3 ft long metal rods with multiple 90 degree bends and hooks etc just to get the bonnet open.

 

Yeah, some Americans, on particular sites that shall remain nameless, usually make things out to be way more difficult than things really are.