wwinton

Hi Guys, my bonnet (front luggage compartment) cable has snapped on my 89 3.2 Carrera, and I can't see any way to open it. I have pulled out the headlights and such and can't see any emergency stuff to get it opened.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Amber Gramps

I hope you are sitting down.....I've looked in the Bentley manual and it requires a bit of work with a drill...

page 550-4

1. Remove front bumper assembly (see page 630)

2. Locate and punch mark position 50 mm down from bottom of bumper trim panel and 25 mm to the left of body center line. drill an 8 mm hole through front body panel.

3. Using a piece of stiff steel wire 6 mm approx. 40 cm long, make a 90 degree bend 15 mm from end of wire.

4. insert tool upward through hole in panel to catch hood release. Turn tool to right to release lock.

5. plug drilled hole.


My friend I don't envy you. I would sure get a second opinion and not trust the book or my skills as a typist.....

EDIT: the picture shows "left" as the driver's side on a US left hand drive car. I don't know how that would translate to a right hand drive car, but it may then require a hole 25 mm to the right or .....I think you get my point.

wwinton

Thank you,
I just phoned a Porsche shop, they confirmed your diagnosis.
I will get the drill out, I think the instructions should be the same for RHD cars, as the release for the bonnet is still on the left side.

Amber Gramps

Good luck.

theiceman

well that is just weird .. to pop the front trunk you have to reach way over to the passenger side ? or in my case have to get out and walk to the other side of the car ? that is just weird....

rusnak

I got nothing to add but my sympathy. Let me know if you need pics of the latch.

Also, it might not be a bad time to make a spare key and hide it somewhere accessible for that unlikely but still possible scenario in which you lock your keys in the trunk.

ron mcatee

I think he said the cable broke, not lost his keys. Once he gets in, he should make a wire going through the trunk, hook it onto the front latch, into the wheelwell for just that type of problem.

dshepp806

Whatzup with the "fire"?

wwinton

Good Question,
I purchased the car like this last week from an auction, I expected that the fuel filler had a leak and and the fuse box sparked and up it went. On getting the hood up I found the fire was on the outside of the car, and under the hood is not too bad, wiring on that side will need some TLC as will the fuse box, it still got very hot..

rusnak

oh man....I'd like to see the autopsy report on that left fender.

fpb111

I know from 1972 to --? there is a charcoal canister under there that collects gas fumes. But what where is the ignition source.

theiceman

yeah I had all that out last year due to the lines just about falling off ... it really stunk like gas till i replaced the lines ... the bucket is very well sealed off .. looking at the fire patern it actually looks like gas spilled down the front fender and into the headlight bucket , poof .... instant fire .... wonder if some drunk was trying to put gas in .... I would sure like to see more pics too ..

Amber Gramps

Talk about a HOLY **** moment when I saw the picture in conjunction with my advice. You have no idea how panicked I was.......

......that should buff right out.

rusnak

Doug...I think you're off the hook. You said to make an 8mm hole, not an 8-foot hole.

Amber Gramps

I was seriously going to have a stroke I couldn't read faster than my mind could wander. Panic city....