X5M Stuck Hood Passenger Side Latch

[clevemont]

Anyone have this issue before? I've seen the youtube videos and suggestions with trying to use a rod through the kidney grill area to pull on the cable, etc.
I'm not much of a gear head so I'm thinking that I need to take it in.

My concern is the labor cost that will go into actually getting to whatever is broken. I've read that it can be a nightmare.

Anyone have this issue taken care of professionally and would you mind sharing the cost? Just trying to set expectations a little bit.

[9vapors]

Originally Posted by clevemont

Anyone have this issue before? I've seen the youtube videos and suggestions with trying to use a rod through the kidney grill area to pull on the cable, etc.
I'm not much of a gear head so I'm thinking that I need to take it in.

My concern is the labor cost that will go into actually getting to whatever is broken. I've read that it can be a nightmare.

Anyone have this issue taken care of professionally and would you mind sharing the cost? Just trying to set expectations a little bit.

Not sure what a passenger hood latch is? If you mean just the hood latch, try to pull it in the car while someone else pulls up on the hood. Also, not sure if there is a safety mechanism for when the car is locked, try unlocking the car as well while doing it. I've not had any issues, but I can take a picture of the mechanism if that would help you troubleshoot it.

[clevemont]

Originally Posted by 9vapors

Not sure what a passenger hood latch is? If you mean just the hood latch, try to pull it in the car while someone else pulls up on the hood. Also, not sure if there is a safety mechanism for when the car is locked, try unlocking the car as well while doing it. I've not had any issues, but I can take a picture of the mechanism if that would help you troubleshoot it.

Thanks, 9vapors. Sorry, if I wasn't clear. Went ahead and updated the title of the post as well. The latch doesn't seem to be releasing on the passenger side of the hood, while it's clear that the driver side is releasing fine. I've done the inside of the car and hood at the same time without any success (with car unlocked). At this point, I think I just need to suck it up and get it fixed. Was just hoping for some feedback as to what to expect for the cost.

[95wildtt]

Hi,

The cable that actuates both side latches is less than $30 (BMW Part number 51237184456) and is #13 below.


Here's a post from another forum that may help, there is also a video at the bottom of the thread showing how to replace the cable, looks pretty easy.
The cable is on the top rear of the radiator trim piece and clips into the actuators at one end and the cable connection into the cabin at the other end, so actually a pretty slick design.
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...ght=hood+stuck

Give it a go...
John

[clevemont]

Originally Posted by 95wildtt

Hi,

The cable that actuates both side latches is less than $30 (BMW Part number 51237184456) and is #13 below.


Here's a post from another forum that may help, there is also a video at the bottom of the thread showing how to replace the cable, looks pretty easy.
The cable is on the top rear of the radiator trim piece and clips into the actuators at one end and the cable connection into the cabin at the other end, so actually a pretty slick design.
https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...ght=hood+stuck

Give it a go...
John

Thanks, John. I'll see what I can do!

[dudezi]

Hi clevemont, how did you get the hood open? my passanger side is stuck. I've tried the youtube video trick with no luck.

thanks
Z

[TwinSnailz]

Youtube video trick won’t work in the x5M as its got more radiator or cooling supplies.
I had to use a borescope with a rod to go over the headlight. That’s the only way. If you don’t have a scope then prepare to have lots of scratches around the latch area.

[clevemont]

Originally Posted by dudezi

Hi clevemont, how did you get the hood open? my passanger side is stuck. I've tried the youtube video trick with no luck.

thanks
Z

I ended up going to a local shop here that was able to take care of it. I think they essentially did the youtube trick. The foam piece that obstructs you from getting to the latch from the front grill had to be replaced and thankfully, they were able to remove my IND grill without breaking it. They left some minimal scratches around the latch area as they used a metal rod to get it to unlatch. I have the carmax warranty so thankfully it covered most of the repair costs, which was not that cheap (~$700 i think).

[dudezi]

thanks guys, I've already removed grill and the radiator foam,
I'm getting an endoscope from Amazon, hope it can help me to locate the latch.

[dudezi]

ok, reporting back, with a endoscope, i was able to get job done.

[Cyrix2k]

This is a crazy problem. I just had the hood latch on my dad's '08 E70 break as well. I was able to pop the latch by pulling the left grill out and sticking a piece of TIG welding rod in the piece of foam next to the radiator. It took a couple minutes but wasn't too hard. For the replacement of the cable, I was able to fish the whole latch assembly out on each side, install the new cable, then carefully maneuver the latch in place. It probably took a half hour total for the repair.