996 engine cover stuck (now sorted with instructions)

I have used the search function and read over 10 posts about engine cover with no success. Please help! The problem is that the engine cover is not opening. When I first got the car last week it wouldn't close. So, I retracted the black knobs' height by adjusted the 2 knobs on each bottom corner of the engine cover and then it locked nicely. However, yesterday, as I was opening it, I could hear the solenaroid operating but the cover just wouldn't open. It felt as if the latch is locked and there is a gap of around half an inch that I can lift the cover before it reaches the latch (its locked position). All I can hear now is a 'shiss" sound twice from the solenaroid. Is it normal for the solenoid to make shiss twice? I am suspecting that the cover right now is in its unlocked position but jammed by the latch or sth like that. Cheers

I had this on my previous car, the heat of the engine dries the lubrication on the latch - drop some oil on the moving parts of the latch and should be OK after a bit of manipulation to free it up Cheers

Hi smj996c, Cheers for the tip. I am going to drop some oil there as soon as I can open it. Help!!! I have tried everything, still cant get it to open. It is not completely locked in the latch but it just wont open. Is there an emergency way or wire to unlock the engine cover? many thanks

There is an emergency manual release cable Looking at the PET diagram I'd guess its in the nearside rear light recess, though I cant recall if you can remove a 996 light without opening the engine cover. If not it must be in the wheel well

There is definately a cable running towards the nearside rear light, i noticed it on mine today, not sure where it comes out , hope you get it sorted.

The cable terminates behind the light unit. Somehow you need to fish it out, but I've never done it, so can't give you any clues how. Bend a hook on the end of a piece of wire, and fish it out from the gap at the bottom of the light perhaps? Edit: Found this photo on RennTech

I am so glad to have all the response. Thank you very much for the suggestion and the picture. I will definitely look at the PET diagram and try to remove the rear light and hopefully fish out the cable. cheers again for the input.

You can't remove the light without opening the bonnet/engine lid. You have to fish out cable whilst it's still under the lamp. I suggest you use a non-metal blade (like a ruler etc) and from the side lever/push it out the back. You don't want to scratch the paint.

thanks GT4 mate I will try to do use a plastic ruler. Is there anything that I could possibily use? I hope it wont take me too long to fish out the cable. ha ha Is there anything that i should do to the latch to ensure the latch will not be stuck again? cheers

Just thought I should report an update of my fishing lesson. I have used a piece of thin A4 card board and successfully fished out the cable. It was a 10-second find, nice and easy thanks for the great tip. However, there are 2 new problems. Firstly, the 2 bolt to the solenaroid are completely undone, leaving the back of the securing plate flying about in the boot. I should be able to remove the air filter box and fasten the loose parts together again. Secondly, one of the two passenger rear light's plastic screw holder thingy has broken away from the light unit, probably due to the loose engine cover pressing against it and breaking it with its weight. Now, the light is only held down to the car by the upper plastic screw holder. I am planning to apply some super glue to glue them together again. Any suggestion to how I can improve the issues further is most welcome. cheers

Just thought I should share my fix. After opening the engine cover using the emergency release cable, I found 2 screws on the latch that are supposed to be connected to the backing plate to be completely undone leaving both flying about. Then, I unclipped the MAF sensor cable, the one bolt near the latch and the butterfly clip near the MAF sensor and managed to remove the air filter box in order to free up enough room to get to the backing plate where the 2 screws of the latch should be connected to. I then tightened the 2 bolts at the latch with the backing plate but found if the latch is set too high or too low, the engine cover either wouldnt lock or open with it at the closed position. The key is to get it just right in between the highest and lowest position while setting the 2 black plastic adjustable knobs at each end of the engine cover to be just right so that the 2 knobs will stand the engine cover up enough at the closed position so that when you activate the engine cover release button the engine cover would pop open. If the 2 adjustable knobs are set too far in (near the e. cover), the engine cover would not open. If the knobs are set too far out (away from the e. cover), the engine cover would not close. It is a matter or trial and error to get it just right. When that's done, also try to check if the 4 corners of the engine cover is lined up with other panels at its closed position. If not, it can be adjusted via the 4 silver metal bolts on the side of the 2 extendable metal jack stands. All I did was loosen one at the time and tighten it and close until I get all 4 corners to be completely lined up with all the other panels of the car. Job is then done and I was a happy man again! cheers