hood release cable broke
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
hood release cable broke
Hey guys need your help I was going to check on my oil level when I tried to open my hood only the drive side is release my guess the pasenger side cable snapped. How can I open my hood I know ecklers sell a tool that will open it. Is there a way to open my hood while waiting for the tool to be delivered...
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Ohio
I read a post where a guy said he pulled off his right front wheel, took off part of the wheel well, and was able to release it with a long screwdriver. Do a search on emergency hood release, It might take you to the post.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
Try using two people. You pull the release lever and lift the driver side and have the other person push down on the passenger side of the hood and then lift at the same time as you are lifting. I'll bet your passenger side cable just needs adjusted a little tighter. There is an adjustment to do this for each side at the end of each cable at the mechanism. 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
thanks for your input
Tried that but no go the cable to the passenger latch is loose I tried pulling but still no help...thanks again
Try using two people. You pull the release lever and lift the driver side and have the other person push down on the passenger side of the hood and then lift at the same time as you are lifting. I'll bet your passenger side cable just needs adjusted a little tighter. There is an adjustment to do this for each side at the end of each cable at the mechanism.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
After you get the new hood cables on, put on a set of emergency cables. These consist of a piece of wire that attaches to the little release arm on the hood latch and come out near the windshield wiper with a loop at the end..If your cable ever breaks again , you can pull this wire to release the hood latch.You can buy these already made, or make your own..... ...WW
...WW
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,773
Likes: 5,623
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
How about trying coat hanger, just fold it, and slip it under the seal, and start fishing for the latch and just give it pull, it will open!
This what I used, and took it less then 5 minutes to open. Just go slow and steady when you are fishing for the latch.
Good Luck.
This what I used, and took it less then 5 minutes to open. Just go slow and steady when you are fishing for the latch.
Good Luck.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
After you get the new hood cables on, put on a set of emergency cables. These consist of a piece of wire that attaches to the little release arm on the hood latch and come out near the windshield wiper with a loop at the end..If your cable ever breaks again , you can pull this wire to release the hood latch.You can buy these already made, or make your own..... ...WW
...WW
I have those cables staring at me now. 2 years they have been in a basket on my desk, along with other stuff I have been putting off dealing with.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,025
Likes: 6,538
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Here's my emergency cables, even found some coated cable which matches the car color! One of those things that you keep putting off but some day you'll need them.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,066
Likes: 3
From: Milpitas ca
Before you do anything unnecessary try this....
Push down on your hood over the latch on the passenger side. If you hear a click it means the hood didn't shut evenly the last time you had it up. If thats so try pulling the latch again. I bet it releases.
Push down on your hood over the latch on the passenger side. If you hear a click it means the hood didn't shut evenly the last time you had it up. If thats so try pulling the latch again. I bet it releases.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
Likes: 204
From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Once you get that hood opened, make sure you lube up the latches and the strikers.
Lube always helps prongs go in and out of holes much easier.
Lube always helps prongs go in and out of holes much easier.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
I've seen various posts on this type of tool that it is difficult to use correctly and can cause damage if you don't know what you're doing. My vote is for cables. When I get around to it. Unless it's too late.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,448
Likes: 27
From: Valparaiso
This might help :
- Remove fender
- Get a coat hanger and make a hook
- Introduce your hand thru the space between your fender and wheel well
- Introduce the hook from the wiper area,then catch it with your hand and guide the hook to the latch,till you engage them
- Stand up and pull to the center of the car,that should open your hood
- Now never forget to add emergency cables
ps : i have a bad driver side cable retainer and one day it popped out leaving the cable loose and hood closed (all of this after i had the remove fender experience)
it was a real let down..but i remembered that i had emergency cables !!!!
Wow i was happy,i pulled them and HAPPY HOOD OPEN AGAIN
The hanger has to be hard enough to pull but soft enough for you to acommodate every angle every try,here ya go,this is how i opened mine,the work of your left hand guiding it to the latch is very very important,thats the reason you have to get familiar with the latch's location :
Here you go !
This is what the tool does :
Now you need this :
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.8064
Or just do it yourself :
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...with-pics.html
Let us know !
- Remove fender
- Get a coat hanger and make a hook
- Introduce your hand thru the space between your fender and wheel well
- Introduce the hook from the wiper area,then catch it with your hand and guide the hook to the latch,till you engage them
- Stand up and pull to the center of the car,that should open your hood
- Now never forget to add emergency cables
ps : i have a bad driver side cable retainer and one day it popped out leaving the cable loose and hood closed (all of this after i had the remove fender experience)
it was a real let down..but i remembered that i had emergency cables !!!!
Wow i was happy,i pulled them and HAPPY HOOD OPEN AGAIN
The hanger has to be hard enough to pull but soft enough for you to acommodate every angle every try,here ya go,this is how i opened mine,the work of your left hand guiding it to the latch is very very important,thats the reason you have to get familiar with the latch's location :
Here you go !
This is what the tool does :
Now you need this :
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.8064
Or just do it yourself :
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...with-pics.html
Let us know !
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
you guys are all awsome go my hood opened it was the metal clip that holds the release cable broke. Many thanks to all you guys keep up the good work and again many thanks now
I just have to find a please that sells this item so far have not found any store..
I just have to find a please that sells this item so far have not found any store..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
Likes: 204
From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I got new metal clips at my local Chevy dealer. They were about $6-7 each a few years ago. 
I also secured the release cables in place with small wire-ties.
After that happened, I put on emergency pulls before my hood was shut again.
I also secured the release cables in place with small wire-ties.
After that happened, I put on emergency pulls before my hood was shut again.
Last edited by johnnymo63; Dec 13, 2011 at 11:28 PM.
