How do you open the engine lid/grill? I’ve started working on an old 914 that’s been sitting in my garage for a while and I’ve gotten to take off the front and rear hood but I can’t figure out how to open the lid to reach the engine. Any help?

For reference, it’s a 1975 model.

There supposed to be a cable with a pull knob on the firewall just to the left of the driver's seat, between the door and the seat.

Maybe the knob's missing and all you have is a cable sticking out?

Hope it's there, otherwise getting that off will be a bear.

Would the cable be right next to the seat belt? There is a loose looking cable there that I thought I had tugged on, but I may be wrong

Yup, just right there just behind your left hip.

It's not down at the floor level; that's the e-brake stuff. It'll be about 4-6 inches above floor level, poking through a hole in the backpad/upholstery. Should be threads on the end of it where the knob screws on.

Put a vice-grip on the non-threaded area, reach around and press DOWN on the engine lid to reduce the latch force, and pull outward on that cable. Should release the catch.

As a regular practice, always hold the lid from flopping up when you pull on that cable. Not only does it reduce tension on the latch but it also keeps the lid from SLAMMING up.

Excuse my ignorance, but now I’ve lost it. The wire I was thinking of wasn’t it, it was a cable going from driver to passenger side.

I looked down further and I think I found what you mean? It’s not really much of a string, but it’s threaded and pushes in so I assume that’s it? Pushing it doesn’t do anything and pulling it is going to prove difficult haha

The image posted upside down for some reason, apologies

That's the correct one to pull. Maybe screw a nut onto it and then grab it with a pair of vice-grips and yank.

Thank you, its very much appreciated and I feel very stupid!

I like that idea. That way you don't muck up the cable threads, just a nut...

Of course, worst case you muck up the threads with a Vice-Grip and just replace the cable.

Do NOT feel stupid! Every single stinkin' one of us have 'been-there-done-that' with a 914!

@robertrr92

If it is stuck you can open the rear trunk and trip the latch with a thin screwdrivier.

An old saying I use: There are no stupid questions, only answers.

Once you get that cable working, in the future when you open the engine lid always use your left hand to pull on the cable knob and place your right hand on the engine lid so you catch the lid on opening and slow it down. I think letting the engine lid slam up puts to much strain on the hinge brackets.

See those 2 holes in that plastic piece? The plastic piece screws on. You need to remove it to remove the backpad safely. You can stick the tips of needle nose pliers into the small holes to turn the plastic piece off. You're missing the plastic pull knob that goes on the the threaded end of the wire. FYI, when you get the wire to pull, catch the lid so it doesn't 'fling' open. Eventually, the brackets for the lid hinges will crack and or tear from the firewall.