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Car owners often face the problem of opening the hood due to a broken cable. This is an important part that helps access the "heart" of the car. An open cable drive gives the driver a lot of trouble. Damage always happens unexpectedly and at the wrong time.
Imagine a situation when you are trying to start a car in a hurry to work on a winter morning, but nothing happens. Urgently pull the lever that opens the hood to view the engine. A characteristic sound of a broken 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 car services, save money and time. This article will help you learn how to open the hood if a cable breaks. Applying tips, you will cope with the problem.
Ways to open the hood if a cable breaks
The design of the hood, the lock and the location of the cable drive on cars are different. But the repair sequence remains the same in all cases. Owners of domestic brands were more fortunate, since manufacturers for many years did not make significant changes in the design of cars produced. Therefore, to open the hood will 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 the breakdown, and in the second, you 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 attachment of the cable and the bonnet opening handle in the passenger compartment, the stopper may have flown from the lever - insert it into place and fix it. If you notice that the cable itself has broken off, then you will need pliers. To open the hood, try to firmly grab the cable with the cover and pull down. Perhaps the first time will not work. If a breakdown occurs, cut off the casing and wind the metal cable onto the pliers, and then pull with great effort - 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 the most serious, because you need to somehow get access to the castle and force to snap it off.
For the hood opening back, there are two main methods that can be used in cars of domestic and foreign production.
- Through the grille. On many models, you can get to the castle with a homemade hook made of wire or knitting needles. Put the hook into the slot of the radiator grill. You can crawl through the air intake. Get to the tongue to which the cable is attached and pull it. Some cars have a continuous grill without slots. In this case, it must be removed, but this is not always easy to do. In extreme cases, you have to break. A new grill is inexpensive.
- Through crankcase protection. This is another way to get to the castle. You will need a viewing hole, but if there is none, you will have to repair lying on the ground, jacking up the car. Remove the metal protection for the engine oil sump. Using a long screwdriver, get to the tongue to which the cable is attached and push to the left (towards the driver). You may need the help of another person. You pull the cable, and the assistant first presses the hood down, then raises it.
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 grate catch on the cable. In some cases, it is necessary to cut out one division, since narrow slots interfere with the work.
If you can’t open, then another way will help you. Lift the edge of the hood in the area of the castle. Pull out the sealing gum - you should get a gap. Then, with a long screwdriver or hook, pick up the cable and the hood opens.
Causes of cable drive failure
A common cause of cable breakage is natural wear. Over time, it stretches and frays in places of bending. Lack of lubrication also greatly affects its service life.
If the lock and the cable have not been treated with oil for a long time, then jamming occurs. The driver has to work hard to open the hood. As a result, the cable drive does not stand up.
Regularly monitor the condition of the lock and cable. At low temperatures they freeze. When you feel that the hood opens with difficulty, identify the cause and fix the problem without waiting for the breakdown. If, however, the cable breaks, then install a new one. Try to securely fix it, avoiding bending. At the end, treat the castle with solid oil. After a job well done, you will forget about the problem with a broken cable for a long time.
Video: how to open the hood - VAZ 2108-2115
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