How to open the hood of a VAZ 2114 if the cable breaks

During the operation of any car, emergency situations arise that require a quick and non-standard solution. One of these problems is a broken cable in the hood opening mechanism. The situation is quite unpleasant, especially if a malfunction has occurred with the car and in order to fix it you need to get into the engine compartment. This is why many car owners are interested in the question of how to open the hood of a car if the cable has broken or simply fallen off? Let's look at this problem using the VAZ 2114 as an example, and also touch on the issue of replacing the cable with a new one.

Main causes of failure

Before you begin to solve the problem, you should identify the most common reasons why an incident can happen.

1. Cable wear. Owners of VAZ-2114 and other models often encounter this problem. Due to frequent opening of the hood, the cable quickly fails and has to be replaced.
2. Corrosion. This unpleasant effect leads to damage to the metal from which the cable is made, resulting in a break.
3. If the cable comes off, you will have to open the engine compartment without his help.
4. Other reasons that cause the hood cable to break.

How to replace and adjust the hood lock on a VAZ 2114

1. Before work, you need to mark the location of the latch on the hood with a marker.

2. Using a screwdriver and a size 17 wrench, loosen the locknut.

3. Unscrew the retainer using the locknut and washer.

4. Using a screwdriver, remove the safety hook shaft lock washer.

5. Then remove the axle and remove the lever from the 2 plastic supports.

6. Pull out the safety hook assembly with the actuation lever.

7. Pull the top end of the retaining spring out of the hole in the panel.

8. Disconnect the drive rod from the spring and remove it from the body panel.

9. Installation is carried out in reverse order.

Adjusting the hood latch

Adjustment is made by changing the position of the lock latch.

1. Loosen the locknut and install the latch so that it fits exactly into the hole in the front panel with the hood closed.

2. To adjust the lock latch protrusion, unscrew the lock nut and adjust the protrusion using a screwdriver. Next, secure it with a locknut.

Procedure for opening the hood

First of all, you need to assess the situation and determine whether the cable inside the car near the handle has broken. If this is indeed the case, then simply take pliers and pull it, after which the hood will successfully open.

In the event of a break in the engine compartment, you will have to make some efforts, but there is nothing complicated about them. Frequent problems with the hood mechanism were observed in the previous ninth VAZ family, where no particular difficulties arose, however, in 2114, plastic protection was implemented, which to a certain extent makes it difficult to open the engine compartment.

Sequence of work:

1. The driver needs to get to the hood from below. To do this, you need to park the car on a hill or, if the situation allows, drive onto a pit (overpass). Jacking is allowed, but very carefully.
2. Now you need to remove the crankcase protection, which is secured with several bolts. We use the key to “8”.
3. Next, you need to reach with your hand to the top of the radiator, where the hood lock is located. If your hand cannot reach it, then take pliers.
4. Pull the cable lever in the direction of the battery and open the hood.

There is a second option, but it requires patience and some skill. It is used exclusively by battery thieves. So, on the battery side, you need to lift the hood and place any object in the gap. It is important not to damage the paintwork of the lid and wing. Next, take a long wire with a bent tip, with which we go into the engine compartment and try to pull the lever.

If you're unlucky

A less good outcome is, unfortunately, more likely. If the hood on your VAZ-2114, VAZ-2115 or VAZ-2109 does not open and you cannot feel its edge from the passenger compartment, you will have to drive onto a pit or overpass. Some dismantling work will have to be done.

Unscrew the engine protection. It is secured with several bolts, and you will need a 10mm wrench. And then reach with your hand between the engine and the radiator towards the hood. The opening mechanism must be moved towards the driver's door. Ideally, someone should help you, because in normal conditions this mechanism will be more difficult to open. If someone or something presses down on the hood, you will be able to open it much easier.

After sliding the fastener, fold back the hood cover and fix it. If this is not done, it may well slam shut and you will have to crawl under the car again. As we wrote above, start repairs as soon as possible, so that you don’t have to do this procedure every time you need to check the oil due to a broken cable.

As practice shows, the hood opening cable on the VAZ-2115, VAZ-2114 and VAZ-2109 can break for a number of reasons, the main one of which is temperature changes. The steel wire used for it is very sensitive to kinks, and again it does not become stronger due to defrosting/freezing cycles.

To prevent a similar breakdown in the future, we recommend using a braided wire cable. In such conditions it shows itself to be stronger and more durable. And you will definitely stop having headaches about this if you choose the option of a cable with a casing. It will smooth out temperature changes and ensure uninterrupted operation.

After replacement, the hood will open and close with some effort for some time. This is a normal situation, it takes some time to “grind in” the parts and after a few weeks, opening the hood on the VAZ-2109, VAZ-2114 and VAZ-2115, as you will notice, will cease to be a problem.

Functions of the hood cable

Car owners call a cable drive nothing more than a cable drive. The hood protects the internal parts of the vehicle (such as the engine). To repair them, you have to often open its lid.

A cable drive or “cable” allows you to do this. It serves to prevent the hood from being opened from the outside.

The scheme of its action is simple and is as follows:

• a cable drive connects the hood lock to the vehicle interior;
• the cable begins to operate using an electromagnetic actuator;
• using a switch, the electromagnetic circuit is closed;
• an electrical impulse is supplied to the actuator by the controller;
• The lock opens if the car is disarmed.

Although different passenger car models differ in their design, the sequence for eliminating the problem is standard.

Beginning of work

To understand how to open the hood if the cable breaks, you need to understand this procedure. The difficulty is that it is quite difficult to determine exactly where the rupture occurred. It can be in the middle of the cable, as well as near the lock or, conversely, at the start button.

To do all the work quickly and correctly, you need to prepare a set of standard auto mechanic tools. You will also need a long screwdriver. To protect your hands from dirt, you need to protect them with cotton gloves.

Next, you need to read the operating instructions for the vehicle. This will help you understand the location of the cable and lock in this car model. When working, the engine must cool to an acceptable temperature.

Replacing the cable

After the hood lid has been successfully opened, you need to install a new mechanism cable. To do this you need:

• Buy a new cable. In the store you can find two versions of its design: single-core and stranded. We recommend using the second option, as it has increased strength, service life and reliability.
• Next you will need a cord, which should be tied to the end of the cable in the hood.
• From the interior side, pull the old cable and insert the cord into the interior. At the same time, replace the O-ring in the body through which the hood mechanism element passes.
• Similarly, tie a new cable to the cord and pull it out into the engine compartment.
• Attach it to the lock and to the handle in the interior.
• Be sure to check that the mechanism is working properly.

Thus, you have become acquainted with quick and simple instructions on how to open the hood of a VAZ 2114 and are probably convinced that there is nothing complicated about it. Good luck on the roads and don't break down.

Modern VAZ models are equipped with a special handle located in the vehicle interior, which is designed to open the hood from the driver's seat. But what to do if the cable, which is actually responsible for this operation, has come loose?

If the hood cable breaks, then the car owner, before starting repair work, needs to gain access to the required compartment of his vehicle.

Learning to change the cable

Replacing the hood cable for VAZ 2114 and VAZ 2115 look identical. This is a simple procedure that is followed in the following order:

• Buy a new cord. There are single-core and multi-core cables on sale - the latter option is preferable, since several turns are much more reliable. With this option, you will be insured for a long time against new hassles with opening and replacing the cable.
• Tie a thin but strong string to the end of the broken cable in the engine compartment.
• In the cabin, remove the hood release handle and pull the end of the old cable towards you - the cord will be pulled into the cabin.
• Replace the O-ring.

Opening the hood if there are problems with the cable

There are two ways to open the hood of a VAZ 2114 or 2115. The first, when the car owner was incredibly lucky and the hood cable broke directly inside the vehicle:

• Locate the end of the damaged product;
• Grasp it with something convenient - most often in this case, ordinary pliers are used;
• Pull the product towards you - this will allow you to open the hood and begin a full repair.

The second option is much more complicated - the hood cable broke, but the location of the damage turned out to be inaccessible to the car enthusiast. In this case, to open the engine compartment on a VAZ 2114 or on another model from the same manufacturer - VAZ 2115, you will need to perform a more difficult procedure:

1. Move the vehicle to the vehicle inspection pit.
2. Using the key to “Eight”, dismantle the protection of the power unit, which will allow a person to have somewhat limited access to the desired compartment of his car.
3. Before continuing work, it is recommended to check the temperature of the engine - if it is hot, you can easily get burns if the unit comes into contact with your hand.
4. After this, you need to put your hand into the space between the car’s radiator and its power unit, feel for the special spring of the locking mechanism and move it in the direction of the car’s batteries.

If everything is done correctly, the car hood should open easily. Unfortunately, sometimes in the procedure described above a person experiences certain difficulties and cannot carry out his plans. In this case, you can do something a little differently, however, this will require physical destruction of the radiator grille, which will allow easy access to the locking mechanism. Naturally, a deliberately broken product will have to be purchased and installed again.

Option 2. Emergency power output.

The most preferred method of emergency opening of the hood is to supply emergency power from an external battery or from another vehicle through wires connected to elements in the cabin.
The simplest option is to have an emergency wire, previously routed from under the hood into the passenger compartment and hidden, for example, under the steering wheel or in the glove compartment of the car. In this case, you will still need to use an external cable with “crocodiles” at the ends in order to be powered by another battery. This option does not require lifting the car or any complex manipulations, but nevertheless, it will not be possible to quickly power a dead battery. If everything is done correctly, then using this method it will be possible to revive the security alarm and disarm the car, as well as open the hood to access the battery. The alarm itself and the electromechanical hood lock consume little current, and a small cross-section of wire will be enough to unlock them.

Replacement procedure

So, it was possible to open the hood on a VAZ 2114 or VAZ 2115. Now you can do the actual repairs:

1. First, go to the store and pick up the product you need to replace. Multi-core cables are more expensive than their single-core counterparts, but they are also more durable - it is recommended to take this point into account when choosing.
2. Find the end of the torn product, which belongs to the interior part, and tie a cord to it. Remove the handle and pull the resulting system towards you - the cords will be pulled into the interior.
3. Repeat the procedure in reverse order - tie a new cable to the cord from the interior and pull it into the engine compartment of the vehicle.
4. Now you can connect the new product with the handle and the locking mechanism.

All that remains is to check the functionality of the new system, first of all, for the reliability of the connection, and you can continue to operate the car.

Installation of sports locks

Sports hood locks can be installed instead of standard parts or as additional insurance. It is recommended not to abandon the original locking mechanism; this is an additional guarantee that the hood will not be opened by intruders; the latches on VAZ cars are quite strong and can withstand significant mechanical forces if they are opened.

Installing sports locks on the hood of a VAZ will require additional tools and some skills; the whole process takes several hours.

Tools and materials

• tape measure or ruler;
• round file;
• drill;
• open-end wrench 19;
• crosshead screwdriver.

Preparing for installation

Before installing the sports lock, it is necessary to accurately measure the places where the rods are attached on the bar.

1. Holes are drilled in the frame above the headlights and rods are installed.
2. the tops of the rods are smeared with grease, and the hood lid is covered so that fingerprints remain on the lid.
3. On the hood, on the printed marks from the rods, the necessary holes should be drilled.

Hood drilling steps:

1. The hood cover is drilled from the inside out.
2. Take the smallest drill and drill a hole on a solid wheel.
3. The hole is expanded with a large drill.
4. Checking holes for additional boring.
5. The hole should be 1-2 mm away from the rod.

The preparatory procedure before installing the sports lock is completed.

Installation

Installing the lock also requires using a drill to secure it to the hood. Stages of work:

1. For example, the protective coating is removed from the plate on the hood lock of a VAZ 2106, the plate is applied to the hood and the four mounting holes for the plate are measured.
2. Use a thin drill to drill the cover for the screws.
3. The plate is screwed on with self-tapping screws.
4. The rods are tightened to the optimal position.
5. Studs are inserted into the holes of the rods.
6. Installation of safety cables.
7. Installation completed.

Of course, repairing and adjusting the lock is not a complicated procedure that you can easily do yourself. A well-reinforced hood means driver safety on the road; it’s hard to imagine what the consequences of a hood suddenly opening on the highway could be.