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Bonnet won't open
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 12:26 pm
by L1nezy
I recently bought an 1982 E21 and now the bonnet will not open. Are there any tricks to get it back open?
Any advice appreciated
Thanks
Re: Bonnet won't open
Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 1:00 pm
by johne21
Hi, if you look through the grill you will see the bonnet catch, on the catch there is a small slotted screw head, this screw will operate the catch release mechanism in the event of the bonnet release cable snapping. The catch is on the right-hand side looking towards the front of the car.
Re: Bonnet won't open
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 2:54 am
by trash-berd
Does anyone have a picture of this slotted screw? I can't find it for the life of me. My cable snapped like a week ago and I'm only just now getting to it

Re: Bonnet won't open
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 11:24 am
by RickR
Have you located the catch itself whilst looking trough your grill? I have noticed myself that type 2 cars have a different type of bonnet catch. It should be attached with two bolts diagonally from each other to the body of the car next to the headlight. When you unscrew these two bolts the whole bonnet with the catch attached should pop up. You will have to use a small socket and extension that will fit between the slats of the grill. Carefully open your bonnet and you should be able to release the catch from the hook on the bonnet by hand from the inside.
When re-attaching the catch pay attention to the gap between the front wings and the bonnet. You can adjust this gap by sliding the catch up or down. The holes for the bolts are slotted. It may take an extra pair of hands.
Walloth&Nesch sells a new cable
http://www.wallothnesch.com/motorhauben ... 14-12.html
Best of luck!
Re: Bonnet won't open
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 12:07 pm
by trash-berd
Thank you for the reply,
I might be an idiot or something, I wouldn't put it past me, but if I found what I thinks the catch (Above and to the left of the right highbeam looking from the front), but I don't see a single screw that looks like it isn't for the grill. I'll give it a better look tomorrow when I have more light out tomorrow
Re: Bonnet won't open
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 12:58 pm
by Jeroen
No one that has a useful photo to show?
Re: Bonnet won't open
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:48 pm
by trash-berd
I still havent figured this out. I'm sure it's staring me in the face but I have work to do under to hood now and I can't get to it, so my cars a lawn ornament for now
