How do I open hood on 320 wagon
 

Hello,

Just found forum and have a question.

My mother in law has a 320 wagon and wants to put a wreath on the gill for the season. I can't for the life of me find anyway to open the hood. I found one part with an arrow on it that pulls out behind the grill. However nothing "releases" when I pull it. Is there something inside the car?

Thanks

Always trying to keep the mil happy!

On the far left (assuming this is a left-hand drive car) just below the dash, under the light switch, there will be a handle or lever, which you pull on. This releases a hook under the grille. You will hear a "thunk" sound, as the spring pushes up the hood about a 1/4 inch.

Then the handle you can barely see will poke out about an extra inch. Grasp it, and as you pull it out, lift on the bottom of the grille.

Behold! :eek: The engine! now you can mount your wreath and even check the oil!

Or at least that is where I would expect to see it. I do not know what year your car is. As you can see below, mine are somewhat vintage.

Good luck! :rolleyes:

Hood release is probably a red plastic handle on the lower dash panel, it is on the W124 chassis.

The tab in the grille will pop out an inch or so when you pull the handle.

Peter

We live in a rural area and the closest dealership is 60 miles away. We (the rest of the family) are scared to get within 10 feet of the car as my mother in law loves the car more than us. Of course she has no idea about how to check the oil or anything so mundane. She drives to the dealership, gets out of the car into a waiting loaner and drives away to shop for a few hours while the car is serviced, which seems to be quite frequently. Anyway we feel very fortunate to ever ride.

Thanks for your help. Only lever under the dash I see is an orange one with P which I assume is the parking brake release. The light switch seems to be on a stick on the wheel.

I think it is 2001-2002 maybe. Wish I could find the owner's manual.

Sorry I was confused. Just went and looked at it again. The P is actually black. It right under a light switch on the dash that is adjacent to an air vent. Still don't see anything inside the car that would release the hood.

The P is a release for the parking brake.

There is another lever under there, probably slightly to the right, under the dash on the lower left side. Take a flashlight, grope around and you will find it.

It may have the words "HOOD" written on it.

It could be a T-handle or a lever. Seek and ye shall find!

Good luck!

If you tell us the exact YEAR and MODEL someone here will have one just like it.

STBX wife has a 2001 E320 wagon. Just changed the oil & brake pads for her this weekend.....

Sit in the driver's seat. Put your hand on the parking brake release (that handle with the P on it). Now lean forward, and drag your hand along the underside of the dash towards the floor - stay left of the brake pedal.

You'll feel the hood release lever (or the gap in the dash where your fingers wrap around the end of the lever so that you can pull it). Pull it down and back towards you. Bingo - you're in!

Finally found it guys. Thanks. It is a red lever under the dash adjacent to the brake. Had seen this earlier but when I pulled on it, it didn't seem natural so I moved on. Went back and found it and pulled harder and voila.

Thanks again.

Try reading the owners manual, or as we say in the computer biz, RTFM. :)