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Technical Tips

Hood Doesn't Open – MINI Cooper & Cooper S

If, like many of your fellow MINI owners, you've occasionally been bothered by an obstinate hood, the problem is easily fixed. First, try “popping” the hood by applying pressure to it as a buddy pulls the lever. If that doesn't do it, remove the right front wheel and manually release the catch you'll see in the inner liner. What's happening is that the tension of the cable is preventing the ball from slipping from the release lever. The cable is simply too long, and this sometimes lets the ball drop out of the yoke in the release lever. Once you've found the cable, take a nylon wire tie to it to hold it into place. This should keep the yoke and ball assembly together, preventing future problems.

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