Hood latch not working
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 95
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Hood latch not working
When I pull the hood release lever only the passenger side works. The cables are both still attatched to the lever and I tried pulling the cable with no luck. The cable moves at the lever but I have to physically push the lever back down once it's pulled. Anybody know how I can get the hood open?
Oh and I can hear a metallic noise on the driver's when I pull the lever
Oh and I can hear a metallic noise on the driver's when I pull the lever
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
If the cable is broken you need a tool like sold by MAM; it comes with instructions and opens the latch manually. I now carry such a tool behind the passenger seat.
My "new" 35th Anni had that problem on the passenger side; the salesman (large guy) had me pull on the hood release while he lifted up on the hood edge. He then gave the hood edge center a "pop" with his big hand and it sprang open.
Once it was open I walked around the car and adjusted the latch so that it would open with the release...
My "new" 35th Anni had that problem on the passenger side; the salesman (large guy) had me pull on the hood release while he lifted up on the hood edge. He then gave the hood edge center a "pop" with his big hand and it sprang open.
Once it was open I walked around the car and adjusted the latch so that it would open with the release...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,806
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From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Try this! Take coat hanger, and fold it to make loop, on one end, and slight bend, and slip it in hood from the windshield in, you might hit the seal, so work pass the seal, to where you think the latch is and go fishing by gently pulling back to you hit the latch, once you feel you have the latch pull back and it will release the hood.
Good hunting, and this what I used, took 10 minutes of trying, but it opened. I also bought that crazy tool, that never worked properly.
Good hunting, and this what I used, took 10 minutes of trying, but it opened. I also bought that crazy tool, that never worked properly.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
He hit it where the latch would be?
However, I think the above coat hanger method has less chance of damaging the hood.
The MAM tool does work well but, here too, it takes some "fishing" to get it positioned just right to force the release lever to move when you rotate the tool handle. Once I had worked open my stuck hood I wrapped a piece of electrical tape around the tool rod so I'd know just how deep to insert it if ever needed again.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Woodstock Georgia
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
,I made my own and had it open in 5 minutes. I adjusted them properly and put on emergency releases.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 15
From: Mechanicsburg PA
Central PA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Behind the pull latch handle(from the driver's seat)... there are twin cables.
With the handle pulled and held out, use a pair of needlenose pliers to grasp the one of the two cables (behind the handle - closer to the engine bay) that hasn't released... and tug on the cable.
Once released - check the cable settings and snug the cable tension a bit tighter.
With the handle pulled and held out, use a pair of needlenose pliers to grasp the one of the two cables (behind the handle - closer to the engine bay) that hasn't released... and tug on the cable.
Once released - check the cable settings and snug the cable tension a bit tighter.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Phila., PA burbs
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 37
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From: Hydesville CA
Hood Release Problem
Bandit's C4 had it down! 3 screws hold the hood release plastic cover in place. Once out, using a pair of needlenose pliers, pull the cable corresponding to the side not working. They should pop! Otherwise have another person standing at the hood corner and pull up when you pull on the piers.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,047
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From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Glad you got it open. You can save a LOT of money by asking on here rather than taking it to the dealer, plus you learn the skills of working on it yourself.
You might want to look at the following thread - it shows how to make more permanent emergency hood release cables. Many of us have done this, a few others are waiting until they are in the pickle like you were, THEN they'll get around to it!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...with-pics.html
You might want to look at the following thread - it shows how to make more permanent emergency hood release cables. Many of us have done this, a few others are waiting until they are in the pickle like you were, THEN they'll get around to it!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...with-pics.html
