Engine compartment release cable failure

[ubergeek]

I just realized the engine compartment release cable is broken when I couldnt shut the lid closed.

Upon inspection, I found the cable coming from the driver side hung loose meaning it is broken somewhere between the latch and the locking mechanism.

Is this a common problem?

Has anyone tried to repair this?

It is a 1999 996 with a manual latch.

Thank you.

[Loren]

There is an emergency release usually found behind the left rear tail light. If you use a mechanics hook you can likely grab that from the underside (with a cool exhaust).

[ubergeek]

Got it. I had to take a look at it again and that cable I was referring to is the emergency release cable. The other cable is still there but somehow the latch does not catch the hook. Something to do with misalignment or something.

Thank you Loren.

Edited September 21, 2012 by ubergeek

[Loren]

Have a friend push down and lift as you activate the release. Sometime that will work too.

[fpb111]

Did you try "opening" the latch? IE: Pull the lever as though you were opening the lid?

Maybe the latch wasn't fully open and the hook caught the top of it and closed the latch before the hook slid into the slot.