S8 Hood latch seized?
 

Hi All,
My hood has stopped opening with only the (UK) passenger side latch releasing when I pull on the release lever.
I have now removed wheel arch liner and can pull on both cables after the splitter box - both pull tight but still the drivers side latch won't release, apparently this latch is seized.
Please let me know how I can get this latch open without damaging my hood.

Thanks for any help you can offer,

Stephen
Scarborough UK

2006 S8, D3, 5.2L

Have a look at this thread...
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11565

Thanks for that - it looks risky to the grill but I'll give it a go.

Thanks again,

Stephen.

I can only suggest you are very careful.

I too had problems last year but due to one of the cables snapping. I tried to release the catches but to no avail, in the end a body shop got the bonnet open but they had to break the grill.

I will say that being able to visualise the catches better would have helped me, photos are ok but it would have been great to crawl all over another A8, actually understand the engineering etc, perhaps that may work for you?

Good luck and be careful.

Hi All,

Success!

Ok so I started off with a new bimetallic hacksaw blade then wrapped 3/4 of it with duct tape. Next I used a plastic wedge [doorstop] to help lift the unlocked side of the hood for better overal access, then after locking the taped end of the hacksaw blade with a vice grip pliers to get hold of it; I proceeded to saw off the hood-mounted lock bracket, requiring two cuts as I was unable to reach the lock latch with the blade.

Amazingly no collateral damage��

Ordering a set of cables now, new hood bracket, one latch with micro switch.

Thanks guys for your support. Very much appreciated and I hope I will be able to return the support in the future.

Kind regards

Stephen.

Congrats, well done.
This beautiful Forum strikes again.
I am part of a great gang. :)

Well done!!!!! I was genuinely worried you were bound toward a £800+ bill!

Yes indeed forums work ��

In the other topic they speak about a sort of lines that are attached to latches as an emergency aid or something. Anybody have pictures?

Hi from what I read on the net you can connect an additional 'line' to the hood latch which can be simply run to a convenient location behind the grill or wheel arch. This line or bit if wire is a good idea in that if your hood release cable broke at the latch in the future you can simply find the extra line / wire and give that a pull to release the latch and get your hood open. I fitted these lines on to mine along with new release cables. A good idea bit of insurance I think.

Cheers.