Why is there no "hood open" indicator?

[bmwrocks]

I was detailing the car today and this question struck me. I know there must be a reason. Especially in a BMW with the whole door/lights/trunk status thing alraedy in place. It seems equally if not more important than a trunk open indicator.

 

[wood_e]

I would think that the switch that would control the sensor if the hood is open/closed would easily be more trouble than it is worth. I would expect such a mechanism to report faulty information as it would be likely to corrode and malfunction.

The mechansm would be simple. Have a point in the hood latch that if contacted would ground and then would leave the "hood open" light off, but then again the chances for this ground to become bad are VERY high.

 

[epj3]

I would think that the switch that would control the sensor if the hood is open/closed would easily be more trouble than it is worth. I would expect such a mechanism to report faulty information as it would be likely to corrode and malfunction.

The mechansm would be simple. Have a point in the hood latch that if contacted would ground and then would leave the "hood open" light off, but then again the chances for this ground to become bad are VERY high.

Or just a switch like what controls interior lights on your doors... But hoods won't just flop open w/out you knowing (hence the need to push the latch after popping the hood). On my car (and all older reverse opening hoods), you have to be really stupid to not know your hood is open

 

[MrElussive]

I don't think any car tells you if the hood is open or not. That is just something you should know whenever using your car....it's pretty easy to spot if your hood is open.

 

[kscarrol]

I don't think any car tells you if the hood is open or not. That is just something you should know whenever using your car....it's pretty easy to spot if your hood is open.

My 2004 545 has a "Hood Open" warning. Got a false signal the day I drove it home from the dealer. It was closed, but I did open it and give it a good slam shut. Have never had the warning since.

 

[BMW-FW26]

Thats a good idea for the M3 SMG's that wont let you start the engine if the hood is popped.

 

[Average Jae]

Thats a good idea for the M3 SMG's that wont let you start the engine if the hood is popped.

its a nice idea until the sensor gets faulty and won't start. how pissed off would you be if you had to get your car towed into the dealership to get a censor replaced because i thought your hood was open?

but before the sensors, can we get a light inside the hood? i know there's a flashlight in the glove box and all, but why no lights? (i'm sure there's a good reason why, but i doubt i'll agree

 

[epj3]

Thats a good idea for the M3 SMG's that wont let you start the engine if the hood is popped.

What if you want the engine to be on while the hood is open? IE to bleed the coolant system? Owners won't be having the e46 m3's serviced at bmw dealers forever ya know

 

[jrt67ss350]

I don't think any car tells you if the hood is open or not. That is just something you should know whenever using your car....it's pretty easy to spot if your hood is open.

My parents' 1994 Pontiac Bonneville SSE had a hood open warning.

It never gave a false reading for the 8 years we had the car.

 

[Montana]

there are no lights under the hood so you can't work on it....we are all idiots and need to take it to the dealer to the man behind the curtain where they have the magic fire! the lights!

 

[bmwrocks]

My 2004 545 has a "Hood Open" warning. Got a false signal the day I drove it home from the dealer. It was closed, but I did open it and give it a good slam shut. Have never had the warning since.

Nice!!!! And if anyone can build (or install OEM) a sensor/switch that will do the job and last a long time, it's BMW. I bet the new 7's have it also, and probably have had it for a while. I wouldn't know because I have never driven one. Come to think of it, I have never even been inside one with the key in the 'on' position!!!

 

[Kirby]

My 1994 has a factory installed switch under the hood as part of the security system. Certainly it could be displayed as a status fi they desired. Damn, they automate everything else, this would be easy.

My Suburban has a TWO lights under the hood. An automatic one, and also a troublshooting light on a 3 foot retractable cord, both factory installed.

 

[///M SPEED]

Thats a good idea for the M3 SMG's that wont let you start the engine if the hood is popped.

This is not true. You can start the engine just fine, but the car will not move when you put it into gear (any gear). The hood has to be shut completely before the car will move. You can place the car into R or 1, etc.., but it will not move. It acts as if the car is in neutral....

 

[Big Daddy]

My 84 733i nor my 91 750iL had a "hood ajar" warning. My 98 M roadster does though, you look out over the hood and if it is rattling in the wind, it is ajar! hehe.

 

[andreyiv]

I think they omited the light because you wouldn't want your battery drained after some extensive work under the hood, would you? What I found wierd is a switch I have under the hood, it is deffinately to see if the hood is open or closed but I have no clue why it is there since I don't have a "Hood Open" warning nor the light. Go figure, maybe one day I will trace the wirse, who knows.

 

[mjbst111]

I think they omited the light because you wouldn't want your battery drained after some extensive work under the hood, would you? What I found wierd is a switch I have under the hood, it is deffinately to see if the hood is open or closed but I have no clue why it is there since I don't have a "Hood Open" warning nor the light. Go figure, maybe one day I will trace the wirse, who knows.

That switch is for the factory alarms, even if you don't have the actual alarm unit.

 

[andreyiv]

Yeah, I figured that out after posting. Somebody else posted while I was typing that kind of explaind it. Thanks though.

 

[mjbst111]

no prob, i figured you just missed kirby's post.