1979 Hood Latching Problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Duncan South Carolina
1979 Hood Latching Problem
Have a problem with my hood latches.....only the drivers side will release/open. Does anyone know a trick to get the passenger side to pop open?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: Maroochydore QLD
They are adjustable, have a look at the first (drivers side) latch and note the large flat plate with all the holes in it on the cable that traverses across to the passenger side, those holes are for adjustment of slack in the cable, yours is too slack, re-adjust in to a closer hole so the play is out of the cable. If there is no more adjustment then you need to replace the cable, it has stretched over the years beyond function.
Cheers, Dennis.
Cheers, Dennis.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Duncan South Carolina
First Opening
Thanks for the tips guys.....now this may sound simple to some of you veterans out there, but how do I get it open the first time to do the cable adjustment. Like I mentioned before, I get the drivers side to pop open but can't get the passenger side to open. Can it be accessed from under the car by putting it up on a rack?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Laquey Missouri
Thanks for the tips guys.....now this may sound simple to some of you veterans out there, but how do I get it open the first time to do the cable adjustment. Like I mentioned before, I get the drivers side to pop open but can't get the passenger side to open. Can it be accessed from under the car by putting it up on a rack?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
From: St. Charles Missouri
If you can get the drivers side open enough, you should be able to peer in and see a lever (for the lack of better words). It should have a bunch of holes in it. Grab your favorite bent hangar and hook it thru the topmost hole and pull toward you. (paint damage may occur) If it doesn't release the pass side then your cable is toast.
This is what's so fun about C3's. I love 'em.
This is what's so fun about C3's. I love 'em.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
If you can get the drivers side open enough, you should be able to peer in and see a lever (for the lack of better words). It should have a bunch of holes in it. Grab your favorite bent hangar and hook it thru the topmost hole and pull toward you. (paint damage may occur) If it doesn't release the pass side then your cable is toast.
This is what's so fun about C3's. I love 'em.
This is what's so fun about C3's. I love 'em.
The other thing that will work but is hard to describe without a picture, is to remove the rubber plug in the windshield wiper well on that passenger side and use a screwdriver to press on the lever that the cable pulls.
Good luck.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Duncan South Carolina
That will work if the cable isn't damaged. My brother-in-law has a '79 with that problem and I was able to lift the driver's side enough to get my hand in and pull the cable. His was damaged, but that still worked. Depending on what damage there might be to the cable it may not work.
The other thing that will work but is hard to describe without a picture, is to remove the rubber plug in the windshield wiper well on that passenger side and use a screwdriver to press on the lever that the cable pulls.
Good luck.
The other thing that will work but is hard to describe without a picture, is to remove the rubber plug in the windshield wiper well on that passenger side and use a screwdriver to press on the lever that the cable pulls.
Good luck.
That second suggestion works great!!! I also found a youtube video where a guy shows how to do this....it was way to easy. Thought something had to be wrong.....went out and bought a lottery ticket.
Here is the link to the video.....thanks for the help guys.
www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DZ4BhkZ26nTQ