Hood latch issues
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 6,501
Likes: 1,938
From: The Golden Triangle, Florida
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '20 thru '25
Ed - Check your hood. Can you lift one side? If so, your problem is on the other side. If you're anchored down on both sides, you'll have to free both sides.
I went through this a few months back (twice). Only one side of mine was locked up. As Low Rider said, get under the car with a long screwdriver and work the release lever.
Once you get the hood open let me know and I'll show you a backup release system I put on my car should this ever happen again.
Edit: Actually, I gave up on the screwdriver the 2nd time I had this problem and just reached up there with my hand and pulled the release lever. I had my car up on ramps to make it easier to work.
Good luck,
-- Steve
I went through this a few months back (twice). Only one side of mine was locked up. As Low Rider said, get under the car with a long screwdriver and work the release lever.
Once you get the hood open let me know and I'll show you a backup release system I put on my car should this ever happen again.
Edit: Actually, I gave up on the screwdriver the 2nd time I had this problem and just reached up there with my hand and pulled the release lever. I had my car up on ramps to make it easier to work.
Good luck,
-- Steve
Last edited by RatDog; Aug 7, 2013 at 05:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
One other thing, I had this happen during my lunch break and will check it out tonight. When I pulled the handle, it pulled out about 4" and I stopped and pushed it back in. When I did that the hood didn't pop up at all. Should I try pulling it more to see if either side pops open?
Ed
Ed
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,277
Likes: 2,139
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Ed:
The factory AC will make the pass side a challenge, but it can be done. Get the car up in the air so you can get underneath. Remove the triangular splash plates for better access and use a wooded dowel or cut down broom handle to move the release levers.
Larry
The factory AC will make the pass side a challenge, but it can be done. Get the car up in the air so you can get underneath. Remove the triangular splash plates for better access and use a wooded dowel or cut down broom handle to move the release levers.
Larry
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 1,099
From: Aggieland TX
Ed
The attached PDF shows what you are working with. As others have said, you will have to get underneath to somehow reach up to the latches. If both sides of the hood are still pinned, it is likely the main cable has pulled loose from the actuating lever on the driver side latch. If the left side is up but the right side isn't, the cross-over cable could be loose at either end. The battery access panel IS bolted from the inside so that option is off the table. You will probably have to remove the appropriate splash shield (if your car has them installed) to get at the problem latch(es). It's not correct for judging, but I have put an extra cable stop at each connection to avoid the problem you are facing and I have also added an "auxiliary fail-safe cable" just in case. My nickname is "redundancy Dave".
Hope this helps.
Dave Z
The attached PDF shows what you are working with. As others have said, you will have to get underneath to somehow reach up to the latches. If both sides of the hood are still pinned, it is likely the main cable has pulled loose from the actuating lever on the driver side latch. If the left side is up but the right side isn't, the cross-over cable could be loose at either end. The battery access panel IS bolted from the inside so that option is off the table. You will probably have to remove the appropriate splash shield (if your car has them installed) to get at the problem latch(es). It's not correct for judging, but I have put an extra cable stop at each connection to avoid the problem you are facing and I have also added an "auxiliary fail-safe cable" just in case. My nickname is "redundancy Dave".
Hope this helps.
Dave Z
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
Likes: 484
From: El Dorado Hills CA
Guys,
Thanks for your input. I couldn't wait. Got out of the car after work, pulled off the triangular sheet metal (4 screws) and could easily reach up and push the lever towards the fire wall. Hood popped open.
Here's what I found... it looks like what ever went from through the lever to the cable fell off... can't seem to find it. I will see if I can just order that piece.
Thanks for all your help!!!
Ed
Thanks for your input. I couldn't wait. Got out of the car after work, pulled off the triangular sheet metal (4 screws) and could easily reach up and push the lever towards the fire wall. Hood popped open.
Here's what I found... it looks like what ever went from through the lever to the cable fell off... can't seem to find it. I will see if I can just order that piece.
Thanks for all your help!!!
Ed
Last edited by emdoller; Aug 7, 2013 at 08:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 1,099
From: Aggieland TX
Ed
That brass cable stop is attached to the lever with a hex head screw like the ones that hold the central wire of the cable pull. You can just see the head in photos in that pdf file.
DZ
That brass cable stop is attached to the lever with a hex head screw like the ones that hold the central wire of the cable pull. You can just see the head in photos in that pdf file.
DZ
