Technical Barchetta Boot Release Cable Snapped

[pronatureboy]

Hi,

Firstly sorry if I have missed the answer, but I can't find it.
My boot release cable has snapped.
The posts/threads I have found on this subject discuss,& but do not give a way of accessing the boot.
Unfortunately I have various stuff I need for a holiday in Turkey next week (passport etc) in the boot.
Anybody have any ideas how I might get the bl..... boot open please?

Thanking you in anticipation.

Pete

 

[Dave-M]

That is bad news mate, I have also looked on the forum, and as you say no real fix for this. However on the lock mechanism the cable has a loop. I am sure Fiat had a reason for this loop why else would the put it there.
What about undoing the boot hinges. By lifting the rear hood cover you can see the 2 bolts on each side of the car removing these perhaps you could lift the front of the boot lid sufficiently enough to use a lever to pull on that loop of cable. Presume you would have to completely remove the rear hood cover so that you can lift the front of the boot lid.I would also protect the paintwork around the boot lid also.
Not sure if this will work never tried it myself perhaps others my have ideas.

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[Stum]

Depending on where the cable has snapped of course but if it snapped at the lever end inside the door take the lever cover off, use a torch to see if its there and get some needle pliers in there?

 

[pronatureboy]

Thanks Dave-M and Stum.
I took the car into a garage recommended by a friend of mine.
Stum: He used a snake camera to look for the cable which unfortunately was not in the wing.
Dave-M: I suggested your method to the engineer before we went as far as having to cut holes. Craig at the garage used your method and undid the front hinges for the boot, then with the use of a very long screwdriver removed the plastic surround from the lock and then managed to release the mechanism. He then installed a second hand release cable. All now sorted at a very reasonable price and no damage done.
I would like to recommend the garage who were very friendly, professional and efficient. Craig of Curtis Motors, Stockport, South Manchester, 0161 480 5571.
Thanks again lads.
Hope this helps any body else with this problem.
I intend to install the back up device using fishing line which I found on another thread.
Cheers
Pete.

 

[pronatureboy]

Sorry I don't think I was very clear. You only need to lower the hood to allow access to the boot fixings under the cover for the hood. No need to remove the hood or anything else for that matter.
Cheers
Pete

 

[Dave-M]

Great news Pete, pleased your sorted, and we have a method of gaining entry into the boot.
I very nearly had the same situation, my cable was on its last strand of cable, thankfully I replaced before it snapped completely.

 

[gar074]

A great fix - thanks for posting. Also a timely reminder to install the fishing line fix, which is another one of those little jobs that I keep forgetting to get around to.

 

[StevePD]

Okay I'll bite...... What's the fishing line fix and any direction to its installation instructions?
Thanks Steve

 

[brianpoole]

Okay I'll bite...... What's the fishing line fix and any direction to its installation instructions?
Thanks Steve

https://www.fiatforum.com/barchetta/159677-emergency-boot-lid-opener.html


Above is the fishing line method. I used a bike inner and outer cable for both the bonnet and boot.

 

[StevePD]

Great many thanks, I love this forum.
Steve

 

[stu4art]

Thanks guys for giving feed back to this problem! It's time I fixed an emergency line to front and back. After rain I often see water in the pull up lever well!!!

 

[eramosa]

So glad to hear you got into the boot without cutting metal. When I first picked up my B ,I quickly realized that was sure to be a problem, a major problem. I removed the plastic around the latch , removed the lower, left rear light and drilled a one eighth hole from that cavity(upper right) and into the boot.I attached a line from there to the latch , about 24 inches, with the end coiled in the light cavity, and reinstalled the light.Stress gone, and very little drama to the car.

 

[Asikaan]

Hi! I encountered the same issue, and got it sorted out. I'll paste my story that I originally posted on Fiat Barchetta FB Group:

First, I opened the roof compartment in order to remove the boot hinges. Having removed them, I was able to open the front of the boot a few centimeters. Though I borrowed my father-in-law's snake camera, I wouldn't say it is an obligatory piece of equipment - I didn't really use it as a camera but rather as a light source, and a common flashlight would have sufficed. Initially, I tried removing the four screws holding the plastic cover of the boot mechanism with a long screwdriver (500 mm + 200 mm attachment bit) but after trying both "normal" and flexible screwdrivers for hours, I found the task to be impossible. Eventually, the solution was simple: I went to grab an 8 mm threaded rod (1 meter in length) hammered its other end a bit flatter (no tricks here, just a common hammer used against a rock), placed it in the small gap of the locking mechanism from the side of the boot with the plastic cover still on, and tapped it gently with a hammer a couple of times and what do you know, it opened!