Paul Sackfield

The release latch for the hood on my 1987 vette has no tension on it and does not release the hood. The hood is released on the drivers side, but not on the passangers side of the car. Does anyone know of a simple way to release the hood other than using the latch. My battery is also dead and therefore I can not just drive to a dealer for assistance.
I would appreciate any advice that anyone can offer.
Thanks Paul

Cliff Harris

You need to get to the hood latch somehow and move the lever inward to release the hood. It helps to press down on the hood while pulling on the latch to take the tension off the latch. There are tools you can buy, but a stiff rod or coat hanger will do it.

It might take a bit of fiddling around with it. It helps if you know what you're dealing with:

Red89'-L98

I think it is ecklers that sell it, but it is an emergency item that releases like Cliff said. Look it up, if I find a link I will post it, and try to make something that looks like it. That is what I did and in cliffs photo on mine the wire slipped out of the retainer so depending on why yours wont release I may be able to help you with the problem and preventing it.

Corvette40

I took off the wheel lining and reached up and released it by hand. I now have emergency release cables also, don't want to go through that again.

Red89'-L98

Thats a pretty good idea also the OP might want to try this one first.

gerardvg

Now before you try to fix it and close the hood again, do what those of us have done after having to try and open the hood again (see pic). Is just a simple wire wrapped around the latch, drill a small hole in the rubber seal and poke it thru tie a loop and you will never be in the same jam again.

Paul Sackfield

Thank you, to all who have answered my request. The info and photos that you all forwarded to me are so greatly appreciated.

MRPVette

Great pic Thanks.

Txbobcat

Good info

JrRifleCoach

I bought a new set of hood release cables after many years of frustration.
It took about an hour to wrestle the old out and new in.

The results are wonderful!!!!

mickey5

Don't forget to grease the latch releases once in a while and put a little oil on the cable where it comes out of the housing.