cable for opening bonnet broken (Mercedes W202)

[murphe5]

Hello,
The cable for opening the bonnet of my 1996 C36 AMG(W202) has snapped.
How can I open the bonnet without this?

Regards,
Eddie

[sneijder]

I think it's more likely the bonnet release handle under the dash has broken (Part Number A1248800320 £6.89) If it has, stick your head under the dash with torch gripped in teeth, locate the loose end of the cable with your biggest pair of pliers and yank as hard as you can.

It's a crap handle that Mercedes still use today on the production line after designing it for the W124 E Class 20 years ago.

[murphe5]

Thanks for the reply.
The handle is not broken..I took the cable off the handle and pulled it with a pliers.
Did not make any difference...

Any other ideas?

[sneijder]

It's going to be a two person job now then, one of you pulling the handle repeatedly, and the other bouncing the leading edge of the bonnet up and down with some brute force. It must be one or both of the bonnet catches has seized. Don't forget to give them a good lube when you get it open. Good luck !