How to open the hood, if the cable is torn: useful tips

Car owners often face the problem of opening the hood due to a torn cable. This is an important detail that helps to access the “heart” of the car. Breakage of the cable drive gives the driver a lot of trouble. Breakdown always happens unexpectedly and at the wrong time.

Imagine a situation when you rush to work on a winter morning trying to start a car, but nothing happens. Urgently pull the lever that opens the hood to see the engine. The characteristic sound of a torn cable is heard. And you understand that you have to go to work in a taxi.

Any driver should be able to get out of such situations. This will allow you to do without the services of car services, save money and time. This article will help you learn to open the hood, if the cable is torn. Applying the tips, you cope with the problem.

Ways to open the hood if the cable is torn

The design of the hood, the lock and the location of the cable drive on cars are different. But the sequence of repairs remains the same in all cases. Owners of domestic brands were more fortunate, as manufacturers for many years did not make significant changes in the design, produced cars. Therefore, open the hood always work without problems.

Most often, the cable breaks near the lever, less often under the hood. In the first case it is easy to cope with a breakdown, and in the second one will have to tinker.

When the cable broke in front of the lever
This is the simplest situation. To fix the breakdown, inspect the place of fastening of the cable and the hood opening handle in the passenger compartment, it may be that the stopper has fallen off the lever - insert it into place and secure it. If you notice that the cable itself has broken off, then you will need pliers. To open the hood, try to firmly grasp the cable with the casing and pull down. Perhaps the first time will not work. If a breakdown occurs, cut the casing and wind the metal cable over the pliers, and then pull with great force - the hood will open.

When the cable broke under the hood
If you examined the mount inside the cabin and did not find anything, it means that the cable broke off under the hood next to the lock. This problem is considered to be the most serious, because you need to somehow get access to the lock and forcibly release it.

For the hood opening back, there are two main ways that can be applied in cars of domestic and foreign production.

1. Through the grille. On many models to get to the castle, you can use a homemade hook from a wire or knitting needles. Slide the hook into the slot grille. You can crawl through the air intake. Get to the tongue to which the cable is attached and pull it. Some cars have a solid grille without slots. In this case, it must be removed, but it is not always easy to do. In extreme cases, you have to break. New grille is inexpensive.
2. Through crankcase protection. This is another way to get to the castle. You will need an inspection pit, but if there is none, you will have to repair it lying on the ground by jacking up the car. Remove the metal protection of the engine oil pan.Using a long screwdriver, reach up to the tongue to which the cable is attached and push left (towards the driver). May need the help of another person. You pull the cable, and the assistant first presses the hood down, then lifts.

If the hood opens forward, in this case you have to tinker. You will need a homemade hook. You can get to the castle through the hood air intake. Remove it and through the grille hook on the rope. In some cases, one division has to be cut out, as narrow slits make it difficult to carry out the work.

If you did not manage to open it, then another method will help you. Lift the edge of the hood in the castle area. Pull out the sealing gum - it should make a gap. Then, with a long screwdriver or hook, hook up the cable and the hood opens.

Causes of cable drive breakage

A common cause of cable breakage is normal wear and tear. Over time, it stretches and frays in places of bending. Lack of lubrication also greatly affects its service life.

If the lock and cable have not been treated with oil for a long time, then jamming occurs.The driver has to put a lot of effort to open the hood. As a result, the cable drive does not stand up.

Regularly monitor the state of the lock and cable. At low temperatures, they freeze. When you feel that the hood opens with difficulty, identify the cause and eliminate the problem without waiting for a breakdown. If, however, the cable broke, then install a new one. Try to fix it securely, not allowing bending. At the end, treat the lock with grease. After a quality job, you will forget about the problem with a broken cable for a long time.

Video: how to open the hood - VAZ 2108-2115