Can't open hood
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: Philmont NY
Can't open hood
How to heck do I get the hood open...when the cable is not working from the inside? Cable must have stretched or came loose underneath. Had the hood open and then closed it ..went to open when I got home and now it wont?
Thanks,
Jeff
Thanks,
Jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
there are holes with knockout plugs behind each hood latch in the wiper tray area.
you are supposed to be able to insert a rod or screwdriver in them and push down on the hood latches to open it
you are supposed to be able to insert a rod or screwdriver in them and push down on the hood latches to open it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Try this first. Jack up the left side of the car behind the left front wheel until the tire is off the ground. Pull the hood release. If that doesn't work, lower the car then jack up the other side of the car then pull the release.
What this does is rake the hood a bit left and right and often will clear whichever latch is hanging.
What this does is rake the hood a bit left and right and often will clear whichever latch is hanging.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
If the other suggestions don't work for you, here's how I got mine open.
After jacking up the front end, and removing the splash gaurd, I was able to reach up, and feel the release lever. I was only able to get a finger on it, and was not able to exert enough force to open the latches. So I called the wife, and had her press down on the hood, and I was then able to activate the release.
After jacking up the front end, and removing the splash gaurd, I was able to reach up, and feel the release lever. I was only able to get a finger on it, and was not able to exert enough force to open the latches. So I called the wife, and had her press down on the hood, and I was then able to activate the release.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 8
From: Avon, Indiana
Once you get it open: If there is slack in the cable you can move the pin on the end of cable to a different hole in the bracket that connects the latch to the cable. I also tied wires to the latches and ran the wires to lay below the windshield wipers. If the hood sticks again you can open the latch by pulling on the wire.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
This comes under the heading of "If you own a C3 long enough"... Most of us have had this happen. It doesn't make it any less frustrating, but it is what it is. The suggestions thus far have been how most have gotten their hoods open. Once you get it open and find out why, two things should be considered. First, how to fix it, and second, how to make sure it doesn't happen again, either with an emergency release or other method. Here's how I fixed my cross cable after buying a couple replacements from the standard corvette parts houses that were very cheaply made. Just something to cosider.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
On my 80, it happened to me.. I was totally freaked out. I looked for HOURS! Finally, I discovered the plugs by the wipers. It still was quite a job to get it to release. Once I opened it, I just walked away. (I was about 5 seconds from using a SazzAll on the hood so I needed to relax.
My cable housing had separated from the clamp on bracket like shown in the above picture. I gave it a "booger fix" until a new one could be delivered from Ecklers. (bad mistake). I also, not feeling good anymore about this ever happening again, installed a wire on both sides that I could reach up from below and give a tug, should a failure ever happen again.
That was the best idea of all, because the cheap (made in India) replica I received from Ecklers failed within a week of instantiation. By now, i was totally frustrated. I went to the dealer and they actually LOCATED 2 new cables that were original GM! I bought BOTH, figuring they would soon be discontinued. I never had an issue with it again. (I also sent back the cheapo to Ecklers for a refund which was a total PITA).
My cable housing had separated from the clamp on bracket like shown in the above picture. I gave it a "booger fix" until a new one could be delivered from Ecklers. (bad mistake). I also, not feeling good anymore about this ever happening again, installed a wire on both sides that I could reach up from below and give a tug, should a failure ever happen again.
That was the best idea of all, because the cheap (made in India) replica I received from Ecklers failed within a week of instantiation. By now, i was totally frustrated. I went to the dealer and they actually LOCATED 2 new cables that were original GM! I bought BOTH, figuring they would soon be discontinued. I never had an issue with it again. (I also sent back the cheapo to Ecklers for a refund which was a total PITA).
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