can't get engine lid to open - '88 80Q

[Huw Powell]

> I always thought a thin bead of caulk under the cable sheathing on the fender 
> top &  re-route the cable path so it wouldn't slide and shorten each time I 
> pulled the lever.
> 
> I figure the caulk would hold it (sheathing) from moving and the lever would 
> pull the cable inside to open the latches.

Actually, the way the system works, the sheath *has* to be able to move. 
  When you pull on the lever, you are basically shortening the distance 
between where the wire comes out of the sheath and the stop at the end. 
  This pulls the two catches inwards, towards each other, releasing them 
both.

The wire end with its stop pulls on the starboard catch, and the sheath 
moves and pushes the port side catch.

This is what we do with screwdrivers or other handy implements when the 
wire breaks - reach in under the hood or through the grill to push each 
catch inwards to release it.

Although readjusting the stop at the end is possible with an old wire, 
the quality of the hardware at that age will tend to make it a futile 
attempt.

The temporary or kludgey fix is then to put a wire between the two 
catches that comes out the grill where it can be pulled to release them.

(reverse for RHD cars, I suspect).

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/