E36 328 issues AGAIN

[S3_Graham]

If its not one thing, its another.

After sorting last months saga of the air leak, this month was service time.

Was very easy and all done in record time. Only problem being the bonnet release felt a bit weird and took 2 attempts to open.

Ahh thinks i, i'll just WD40 the catches as they must be sticking. Lubed them and shut the bonnet. Now the bd thing wont open, and to add insult to injury while pulling on the release handle while a friend was trying to bash/caress the bonnet open the cable has snapped.

With some pliers on the cable i can hear the release mech working and it releases the right side catch, but the passenger side will not budge. Its stuck fast!

Am i looking at a huge bill, as im guessing it will be tonnes of labour?

I took one of the kidney grill's out but alas i cant see the cable.

[Touring442]

There are two cables. The main one from the handle to the drivers side catch, and a second one from the driver side catch to the other one. If only the drivers side catch releases, the second cable has broken or the plastic ferrule on the catch has busted. Pop a grille out and look at the underside of the plastic panel - the cable is clipped to the underside. Give it a yank sideways and the bonnet may well pop open.
It's worth replacing both catches and the second cable. The main cable is normally okay - the reason the break is because the catches are shagged and seized. The main cable is also an absolute bd to change, not far off a wing-off job.
Where are you in the world?