Opening the boot with snapped cable

[trunkie]

Laugh as much as you like but I've got myself into a little pickle!

My boot release cable snapped on Sunday. Yesterday I removed it but didn't have one to replace it with so I fashioned a bit of fishing line to release the catch. The only thing is the fishing line napped today and now I need to get in the boot!

I know you can pull the LHS arch liner out to access the cable (when it's there) but how do I get in with no cable?! Is it a case of cutting behind he numberplate, or is there anything less drastic I can do?

[thub]

You could try little bit of brute force on the engine cover (assuming you have an S1) with the heel of the hand. A blow down and to the left, over the catch, can sometimes release the cover. Make sure your alarm is off first as the cover is linked in.

[Bonce]

Tricky situation! Here are all the things I can think of.

1. I'd start with some frantic side to side pushing on the boot lid.

2. Early S1s have a removable boot bag (the boot in my 111S is moulded in). It's a long shot but if you can somehow unclip the bootbag from underneath or through the wheelarch liner then you'll be able to get a Mr Tickle arm into the boot to release the boot.

3. Is it possible to remove one of the rear light covers and get your arm into the boot that way?

4. Last resort: make a small hole behind the number plate () and see if you can manouever a tool into place to release the catch.

Maybe your local Lotus specialist would have more experience of this kind of problem. Gotta be worth a couple of hours labour to avoid cutting a hole in your clam!

[trunkie]

Well I cut the hole! Slapped her ass round a bit but she still refused to open up so out came the pwer tools. Cut a fist size hole behind the numberplate and poped the caatch with my fingers.

Thanks for the tips but I have a solid boot and I don't thinnk it's possible to remove the lights without access to the boot? Anyways I'm off to Motorway Sportscars in Canturbury tomorrow and won't be making that mistake again!

So......anyonoe know how to lay fiberglass?!

[S Works]

Call Sinclaires or Fibreglass Services in Arundel about the 'glass mate. Main dealer prices may scare you!

[dragstar]

trunkie said:

Slapped her ass round a bit