Don't worry if you can't open the hood of your Mini Cooper. The safety catch under the hood is what makes it difficult to open. Once you understand how to push the release lever, you should have no other problems opening the hood of your Mini Cooper.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Hood Release Lever
Step 1. Look for the lever on the passenger side if your car was manufactured before 2009
Get to the passenger side of the car. Look under the glove box, near the door. Find a black lever with the image of a car with the hood open.
Step 2. Pull the lever on the driver's side if your car was produced in 2009 or later
You will find it near the pedal platform. Look under the dashboard, near the door. Find the lever with the image of a car with the hood open.
Step 3. Pull the lever towards you to open the hood
Pull with your fingers until you hear a click and the lever is no longer resisting. The hood of your Mini should have opened.
- If the hood is still closed, pull the lever harder.
- If the hood does not open after many attempts, the release cable may be broken. Ask a mechanic familiar with Mini Cooper to check.
Part 2 of 3: Raise the Hood
Step 1. Reach the front of the car
The hood will be open. However, a safety catch prevents you from lifting it all the way up. Stand in front of your car facing it.
Step 2. Look for the latch on the right side of the hood
Put your fingers under the hood to the right of the Mini Cooper symbol. Find a stop with your fingers to push.
There is also a metal ring attached to the hood near the latch. However, the latch is located to the left of the ring, which acts as a lock when the hood is closed
Step 3. Push the latch
Once found, push it with your fingers and the hood should open fully. If this does not happen, the mechanism could be blocked or broken.
Ask an experienced Mini Cooper mechanic to fix your safety catch problem
Part 3 of 3: Troubleshoot the Hood Safety Latch
Step 1. Pull the hood release lever
If your Mini Cooper was produced before 2009, the lever is located under the dashboard on the passenger side. If, on the other hand, it was produced in 2009 or later, the catch is located under the dashboard on the driver's side. Pull the lever towards you as if you want to open the hood.
Step 2. Check if the cables are not taut
As you pull the lever, light up the two cables behind it with a flashlight. Pull them with your fingers or a hook. If you can move them easily, they are not tense. If they are tense, the problem could be with the cables under the hood.
The lower cable opens the right side of the hood, the upper one the left side
Step 3. Open the hood manually
Pull each cable with your fingers or a hook to open the hood. Pull the cables until you hear a click, which signals the opening. If this method is unsuccessful, you need to take your Mini Cooper to the mechanic to fix the problem.
Step 4. Consult a mechanic who has experience in repairing Mini Cooper
A professional will be able to open the hood and inspect the cables under it. Cleaning and lubricating the cables may be enough to solve the problem. If, on the other hand, one of the two is broken, the mechanic will have to replace it.
