Any thoughts?

[Carolyn]

Hoping I might have a solution ...

By connecting a Jump start battery pack to the OBII socket, I should be able to top up the car battery, and no I wont try to crank over the engine while it's connected

I am sure the OBII has a direct connection to the battery, so the car battery and the battery pack should even themselves out, and with luck, enough power to crank over the engine.

Heavy sleet just now, but forecast for heavy snow and ice over the next few days

that would be putting far too many amps down a very thin wire!

The cigaret lighter plug should be able too take enough to charge a bit rapidly if not enough to stárt.
No need for mains as simply connecting a charged battery overnight should do the trick to crank the engine over.

Starting is almost the equivalent of shorting the battery, which is why it goes over a relay and not a fuse.

Doesn't the ignition have to be on for that to work? 

[Topdownman]

Having seen how cold my car was inside the cabin at the weekend, I would try some hot water bottles in the car too just in case the cable pull has frozen in the car rather than just at the catch area.

[11891952]

Yeah, have just checked on mine, no volts without ignition.  But if get can get into the cabin and ignition on, then maybe one of these...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Jump-Starter-Charger-Emergency-Booster-CAR-to-CAR-/292209177460

[Petrus]

Doesn't the ignition have to be on for that to work? 

Yes, but that should still charge the battery.

[Petrus]

Yeah, have just checked on mine, no volts without ignition.  But if get can get into the cabin and ignition on, then maybe one of these...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Jump-Starter-Charger-Emergency-Booster-CAR-to-CAR-/292209177460

I´d still try slow charge it a bit first. The cigaret lighter is fused and ány charge in the battery will lower the currrent over the lighter.

[Carolyn]

Yeah, have just checked on mine, no volts without ignition.  But if get can get into the cabin and ignition on, then maybe one of these...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Jump-Starter-Charger-Emergency-Booster-CAR-to-CAR-/292209177460

I´d still try slow charge it a bit first. The cigaret lighter is fused and ány charge in the battery will lower the currrent over the lighter.

Ok if you're on private property - keys in and ignition on when parked on the street ain't the best idea. Insurance wouldn't pay out if it got nicked. 

[Petrus]

Ok if you're on private property - keys in and ignition on when parked on the street ain't the best idea. Insurance wouldn't pay out if it got nicked. 

True although hoodlums can´t start it either ;-)
...and it can still be locked no?!

Anyhow, téchnically it´s a solution.

[11891952]

Hmm, tricky one.  Have you tried something soft and thin (something like a trim removal tool) under the lip of the bonnet and encouraging it up while somebody pulls the release lever?  Wouldn't use too much force obviously, but might be enough to pop it up...

[moredun]

Finally got the boot lid open today 

Yesterday I managed to spray PlusGas over the striker and release mechanism through the rear grill. This was tried a few times during the day, but without success.

Today, after a few pulls of the release cable and I little help from this tool, I got it open   

Jump started first time, so all's well with life again 

You cannot view this attachment.

[11891952]

Glad you got it open and started.  Have got me thinking about other potential workarounds now.

[Carolyn]

The best work-around is to lubricate the release mechanism occasionally, and ensure that it operates smoothly by making any adjustments as needed.

Best to consider it as part of routine maintenance.

By the time one gets to the 'Oh hell, I can't open it' situation - it's been left a little too long??

It's a handy reminder for the rest of us, so thanks for that

[Topdownman]

Glad to hear you got in OK at last.

As I am not using my GT86 much at the moment and they are known for going so flat if not used that you cant open the door with the keyless entry, I connect my charger to the battery, run the lead out under the bonnet and leave the plug sitting on top of the tyre. This way, when I charge it, I just have to run a lead out to it and plug in the plug from outside the car. No chance of me not getting in that way.

Might be worth trying if you think you wont be using the car again for a while?

(Obviously you do have to remember its there and not drive off without disconnecting it though!).

[Joesson]

There is much written on here about hand brake cables. The OP got locked out of his car by a problem with the engine cover release cable, it and/ or the lid froze up.
It would seem from the responses there isn't an established method to get access into the engine compartment if the cable became inoperative.

This is necessarily a secure area and access needs to be restricted, but what if?
Maybe there is, or we could invent a work around or make some preparation for such an event?
Preventive maintenance, such as some lubricant of choice applied to the cable and catch might be a starting point.
NB.
Elsewhere and previously the adjustment of engine lid stops has been discussed, these when correctly adjusted give the lid a little help in popping up.

[1979scotte]

The best work-around is to lubricate the release mechanism occasionally, and ensure that it operates smoothly by making any adjustments as needed.

Best to consider it as part of routine maintenance.

By the time one gets to the 'Oh hell, I can't open it' situation - it's been left a little too long??

It's a handy reminder for the rest of us, so thanks for that

@househead

That means you lol

[Carolyn]

The best work-around is to lubricate the release mechanism occasionally, and ensure that it operates smoothly by making any adjustments as needed.

Best to consider it as part of routine maintenance.

By the time one gets to the 'Oh hell, I can't open it' situation - it's been left a little too long??

It's a handy reminder for the rest of us, so thanks for that

@househead

That means you lol

I did quite a bit of work on the lid release on the yellow beast, btw, Scotte!!

[Call the midlife!]

The BM has jumper terminals in the engine compartment as the battery is buried in the boot behind the rear wheel, maybe a terminal in the frunk or bolted to the subframe?

[1979scotte]

The best work-around is to lubricate the release mechanism occasionally, and ensure that it operates smoothly by making any adjustments as needed.

Best to consider it as part of routine maintenance.

By the time one gets to the 'Oh hell, I can't open it' situation - it's been left a little too long??

It's a handy reminder for the rest of us, so thanks for that

@househead

That means you lol

I did quite a bit of work on the lid release on the yellow beast, btw, Scotte!!

Thanks for that although it never caused me an issue and it isn't stock is it?

[Carolyn]

The best work-around is to lubricate the release mechanism occasionally, and ensure that it operates smoothly by making any adjustments as needed.

Best to consider it as part of routine maintenance.

By the time one gets to the 'Oh hell, I can't open it' situation - it's been left a little too long??

It's a handy reminder for the rest of us, so thanks for that

@househead

That means you lol

I did quite a bit of work on the lid release on the yellow beast, btw, Scotte!!

Thanks for that although it never caused me an issue and it isn't stock is it?

It's been moved around a bit.  It was very stiff to operate.  Still needs a bit more fettling but it's much better!!

[shnazzle]

Makes me think I might need to run out and maybe start the mr2s and get all the moving parts moving a bit. 

Both been stood in thr freezing cold for weeks now

[11891952]

The BM has jumper terminals in the engine compartment as the battery is buried in the boot behind the rear wheel, maybe a terminal in the frunk or bolted to the subframe?

I was thinking something along those lines.  Though I'll admit I might be less likely than some to have that problem down on the sunny south coast.  :-) Maybe I'll just lubricate it.

[moredun]

Just as a footnote, all hinges, strikers, battery terminals, locks etc had a good coating of Castrol LM grease last autumn. so maintenance was not an issue here. 

Maybe my choice of grease and prolonged freezing conditions are at fault, but where the striker and the release mechanism meet, it will always be the weak link with the "rubbing" affect due to opening and closing the engine cover.

I have now fitted a 10 amp fused cable from the battery to the passenger bin terminating in a cigarette plug. This is a cheap, easy solution to boost the battery if required using my jump start battery pack. The added benefit, no need for ignition to be on and concealed inside the bin -)

[Gaz mr-s]

Have you ever compared the operation of your release lever with another car?

Mine was unpleasant to use compared to partner's. I thought it must be the cable. Working the mechanism seemed fine. A repacement cable made no difference.

I got a used mechanism from D. Sloan & was much nicer to use.   Probably the hook/lid interface as you suggest.

[Call the midlife!]

Just as a footnote, all hinges, strikers, battery terminals, locks etc had a good coating of Castrol LM grease last autumn. so maintenance was not an issue here. 

Maybe my choice of grease and prolonged freezing conditions are at fault, but where the striker and the release mechanism meet, it will always be the weak link with the "rubbing" affect due to opening and closing the engine cover.

I have now fitted a 10 amp fused cable from the battery to the passenger bin terminating in a cigarette plug. This is a cheap, easy solution to boost the battery if required using my jump start battery pack. The added benefit, no need for ignition to be on and concealed inside the bin -)

Will 10 amps be enough if you're actually going to be cranking the engine on it?

[paulj]

How well does your engine lid "pop" up normally?  The rubber stops have a screwthread so are adjustable, you can add a bit of bounce by adjusting them up.

[1979scotte]

How well does your engine lid "pop" up normally?  The rubber stops have a screwthread so are adjustable, you can add a bit of bounce by adjusting them up.

This is a good point.
People screw them down for better panel gaps and then wonder why it won't open.