Just picked up my 1999 Impreza last night, my 3rd scooby and have some issues which require assistance quickly if anyone can help.

Firstly I can't get into the boot, the key won't open it, and when you pull the lever at the side of the seat you can hear the boot itself trying to open so still appears the cable is intact, if it had broken it obviously wouldn't be trying to click open, but need to get into boot. I've read about a little lever or something but how do I get in to try/flick this lever???

Secondly the Bonnet won't open either lol, is there a way to get into the engine (More importantly do check oils etc if previous owners hasn't been able to get into it then i'm assuming nothing has been checked for a while)

Hoping someone can get me some advice asap really more importantly about the bonnet so I can check things out asap, thanks in advance

 

Its a long shot, but I once had the same problem with the boot on my P1......turns out I had trapped a bag strap in the lock mechanism. I had to remove the rear seats, climb through and wrench the strap out lol

 

Peedee thanks I've read a few stories in to "how" to get into boot, so that sounds like its gunna be fun but more worried about the bonnet as I don't know how long they've not been able to get into it, they say they just realised but obviously need in to check oil etc if they haven't been, any ideas on that one?

 

Didnt you open the bonnet before purchasing the car.?

 

I take you have tried pulling the lever whilst someone else tugs on the bonnet? Could just be a bit of rust / muck on the mechanism and needs cleaning and lubricating.

 

Ice its a 99 scooby I want as a project, I've seen the car around town many times and at the end of the day its cost me nothing as I swapped my car with them, I'm not expecting a mint motor as my mate has already been warned I'll want some body work doing etc, sounds and runs as a 16 yr old car should and to be honest any issues can be sorted out lol, when I picked it up (and to do any final checks) thats when they said they'd just tried bonnet release and it wouldn't open so didn't think too much about it really.

Just needing to get into it now lol

 

8ulldog Ive a mate popping over this morning as I know its probably gunna be a 2 man battle lol, will try and sort bonnet first as thats more important and see if we can tug and pull and failing that a hammer and chisel with a lot of swearing etc, just wondered if anyone may have had an easy fix or had this before, will see what happens

 

The bonnet cable may have stretched - happened to me. When you pull the lever can you feel it tightening as it tries to pull the catch? If it has stretched you can get some pliers or similar and pull on the bit of cable that you'll find on the other side of the lever. Have a feel around, you'll see what I mean (I hope).

 

And get someone to bounce the bonnet down while you pull.

 

with a bit of your help and Google I've managed to get into the boot and flick the "valet" switch up so it's now cable operated, still can't get into the bonnet though and the cable under dash is a little frayed so looks like someone has tried to use a pair of pliers on the cable, how do I get into the bonnet assuming the bonnet release cable has snapped, there must be an easy way lol? Any help would be appreciated so I can have a check under there for the fluid levels etc.

 

There is no pressure or tightening at all Nick the lever moves to its full stretch and cannot feel the cable tighten up until the last mm, I've tried a pair of pliers and its tight so feel its just fully stretched rather than snapped, but now struggling to get under the hood at all, which isn't very good really.

Are these things accesable via using a ramp as paying a garage may be my only option here now.

 

Wouldn't be easy checking and replenishing fluids from below.............

 

You may well have to smash your grill to get to the latch so you can flick it open with a screw driver

 

I meant obviously to get the bonnet catch open lol

 

I managed after about 2 hours looks like the old cable had frayed just where it goes into the protective cover so wasn't releasing under the bonnet.
Managed to get it lifted and removed the mechanism and got it into my glass blasting machine then sat in a bowl of grease, re fitted it, managed to snip away the frayed edges and sprayed grease I to both ends of the protective cover that holds the cable and pulled it back and forth a few times to lube it inside.
All fitted and working now can finally get access to the bonnet and boot lol.

I wad told previous owner had filled washer fluid up 2 weeks ago but bottle is bone dry, coolant was well below minimum and oil very low so good job I got in, all topped up now and thanks for the help and a few pointers.

 

Great choice of Model Year, BTW.

 

This is my third scooby and the year I wanted, didn't cost me a penny either so more than a bonus really lmao!

Needs some tlc and body work but firstly needed those issues sorted, only one speaker works so that's the next mission, and then to start on the body work and wheels, and engine and pipes and whatever else I can find to spend money on really as they're never ending once we start!

All being done whilst it's on the road so bit by bit works for me!

 

Project cars, FTW!