I popped my hood about three times yesterday for different reasons, I didn't have any issues. Now today, I pull the lever and the hood doesn't pop up. I can hear something moving under the hood when I actuate the hood release but nothing happens. I had a helper hold some pressure up on the hood while I fiddled with the release handle but to no avail. Has anyone else experienced this? I CANT CHECK MY OIL NOW!!!

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Regards,
Ian White

1995 E300 Diesel w124 OM606
2014 E550 w212 M278 biturbo

2001 BMW 740i E38 M62 (past)
1981 300SD w126 OM617 (past)

Someone had a similar problem 2-3 weeks ago. However, I did not read any of the responses so I do not know what type of answers he got.

You might see if you can slide a small Mirror inbetween the Grill Slats and have some one work the Release cable from the inside and see if you can find something amiss.

Also you could take apart the release lever that is inside to the point where you can grip the bare Cable and pull it with something like a Vice Grips. The would allow you to pull the Cable further.

If any of the above works be sure to let me know as I have noticed that what ever happens to other members cars seems to happen to mine later.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Instead of putting upward pressure on the hood, try downward pressure; have a helper push down, in rhytmic pulses, while you operate the release lever. This typcially works for w123's, which yours is not...but maybe worth a shot.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

Yes press lightly down not up. Might try hitting the grille with the palm of your hand repeatedly while a friend pulls on the release lever and holds it out. Then once open, lube the latch and raise the rubber bumpers the hood rests on.

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81 300CD (sold) 1972 280 SEL 4.5 (sold) 1966 250 S 4 spd (sold) 1974 450 SL (sold) 86 BMW 325ES (sold), 1973 280C (sold) 1988 300 SE.

I'd guess the cable broke on the hood end and you're hearing the cable move.

But it's possible that something like the spring or the clip came loose and it's still connected. You may be able to remove the handle from the sidewall and pull it further than is possible with the lever action - sort of like an old choke cable. I'd be very careful pulling it too far though.

The connection under the hood is protected by a plastic housing that prevents you getting a screwdriver or any kind of wedge tool up in there.

If such is the case, what would you do?

__________________
Regards,
Ian White

1995 E300 Diesel w124 OM606
2014 E550 w212 M278 biturbo

2001 BMW 740i E38 M62 (past)
1981 300SD w126 OM617 (past)

I had a broke cable above the radiator... I never had any good ideas from anyone.. I eventually cut a roung hole in the hood using a small grinder and a waffer blade and accessed the area... Jim

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James A. Harris

I hope it doesn't come to that-Although, I wouldn't cut a hole in my hood...

__________________
Regards,
Ian White

1995 E300 Diesel w124 OM606
2014 E550 w212 M278 biturbo

2001 BMW 740i E38 M62 (past)
1981 300SD w126 OM617 (past)

If the cable broke, you can stick a screwdriver/prybar through the slats in the grill and get to the lever that the cable actuates. You might have to fish for a while, but peek in there with a flashlight.... Worst case scenario, cut part of the GRILL out, not the sheetmetal on the hood.

Jay.

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On the road, currently:
'83 300D (German spec.) 168k mi. - - Wolfgang (tucked snugly away for the winter!)
'87 300D 375k mi. - finally went over to "The Dark Side"
'87 300TD 225k mi.
Cannondale 66cm CAAD5 w/Campy/Jamis Aurora
Hujsak Custom Fixie/Landshark Track Shark Custom/Ahearne Custom 29'er

First I'd try removing the handle on the inside and pulling the cable there. If it moves more than about 2-3 inches, then it's probably broken on the inside near the hood.

Mine broke at the handle on the inside, so I could use the vise grip technique to pop the hood. There's probably a way to remove body pieces from below the bumper that would let you disengage the latch. I'll pop my hood tomorrow and see if there's some technique. Cutting a hole has got to be too extreme.

I had this happen on my E320 which is much worse. It has two locks no where near the center where you would expect to find them. But that's another story!

On one of my other older cars - can't recall if it was 300D or SL, I had similar problem. In that case, I took lever off in driver footwell and then pulled on the whole thing while someone pushed down on the hood. It released.

It could be that by opening and closing it the day before, it stretched beyond the limit. To fix this, you can put in new cable, but much easier to just add a spacer at the end of the cable cover in the lever mechanism in footwell - I used an old spark plug nut. Drilled out the thread, cut a slot in one side and slipped it over the inner wire. - Still works fine.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Ian - check your regular e-mail. It can be done with a screwdriver/pry bar.

Thanks Joe!

__________________
Regards,
Ian White

1995 E300 Diesel w124 OM606
2014 E550 w212 M278 biturbo

2001 BMW 740i E38 M62 (past)
1981 300SD w126 OM617 (past)