1981 passenger side hood won't release
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1981 passenger side hood won't release
We have a 1981 Corvette and when we release the hood the drivers side releases but the passenger side will not. We have tried pushing and pulling on it with and without holding the hood release. Any suggestions?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, Florida
My 81 does the exact same thing.
I usually push close the drivers side...then pull the release handle again and it usually opens both on the second or third try.
I would also love to find out why this is happening.
I usually push close the drivers side...then pull the release handle again and it usually opens both on the second or third try.
I would also love to find out why this is happening.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 38
From: springtown Texas
mine did that for the first time 2 days ago. i put some towels under the hood on the drivers side to hold the hood up as high as i could get it so i could see what was going on. it was the plastic clip that has a screw going thru it that holds the cable from moving. so when i pulled the handle the whole cable would move instead of just the metal cable inside.
i had to use a pair of pliers to hold the cable still and pull the handle and it popped right open. i hope this makes sense
i haven't fixed mine yet
i had to use a pair of pliers to hold the cable still and pull the handle and it popped right open. i hope this makes sense
i haven't fixed mine yet
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, Florida
Just a side note: Don't be yanking and tugging or pulling on the hood too hard, that's a great way to crack the paint on the hood. When that hood flexes excessively the paint will crack. I know this from experience on a previous Corvette I used to have. I'm sure you can imagine how much it cost me to have the hood re-painted....so be careful when you are tugging on your hood. 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, Florida
I think it's because your cable isn't adjusted correctly. There's a "paddle" looking thing on one end of your cross cable (usually on the drivers side) and by using the different holes, you can adjust the tension on the cable to the passenger side latch. You probably just need to use a hole a few spots closer to the cable housing to shorten it up a bit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
No problem, let us know how it works out. Hey, next time we do a FL Vette get together, you'll have to join us. Got together with a few guys off another vette site a couple weekends ago in Cocco Beach for lunch and lies!!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: angleton tx
I purchased a whole new cable for my 81. i set the paddle so that while the hood was up both open simultaneously with one click. the first time i had a problem was when i didn't screw the self tapping screw that hold the plastic clips in place the came loose and didn't allow the passenger side to open. I squeezed my hand in there and held the plastic housing and pulled the paddle with a pair of channel locks to get open. after i set those i also sprayed them with WD40 and got them moving freely. alot of build up after 30 years. hope this helps
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
I purchased a whole new cable for my 81. i set the paddle so that while the hood was up both open simultaneously with one click. the first time i had a problem was when i didn't screw the self tapping screw that hold the plastic clips in place the came loose and didn't allow the passenger side to open. I squeezed my hand in there and held the plastic housing and pulled the paddle with a pair of channel locks to get open. after i set those i also sprayed them with WD40 and got them moving freely. alot of build up after 30 years. hope this helps
This is a new cable (less than a year old) and the SECOND one I had to put on. The first one lasted about a week, one of the plastic tabs broke off. I bought the cable from Ecklers, and they stood by it, told me to send the broken one back and they'd send a new one, which they did. Both cables broke at the plastic tabs that bolt to the the car. Problem is these things are made in China and are junk just like everything else from there seems to be and since this is all that Ecklers carries for this part so I'm not going back for another. I hope the Chinese build their millitary equipment with the same frigg'n quality they seem to build everything else with!!!Well, I think I figured out a permanent fix for these. For $1.75, I went to Lowes and picked up two 1/4 inch rubber lined clamps. I put then on the cable where the plastic is and bolted them down. The clamps hold great, and I don't think I'll have this problem again...
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I know this is an old post, but I can’t find the plug on the passenger side. Did you?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
81 vette hooh latch wont release
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
81 vette hooh latch wont release
Update, yes there is a plug on both sides, they are just in different places since the latches are in different places on each side. Remove the passenger side wiper arm for easy access. Push in the plug on the passenger side and the latch release is right there. Push down on the lever firmly with a flat-head screwdriver and it will release.the hood.
