Non-functioning Hood Release: 87 Coupe.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Non-functioning Hood Release: 87 Coupe.
When pulling interior Hood Release lever, Driver's side latch will NOT dis-engage, while Passenger side still releases & functions properly.
I purchased Eckler's Hood Opening Tool for the C4, however, it doesn't function as advertised.
Hood cannot now be opened.
Has anyone else experienced this exasperating issue??
I purchased Eckler's Hood Opening Tool for the C4, however, it doesn't function as advertised.
Hood cannot now be opened.
Has anyone else experienced this exasperating issue??
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 397
From: Clay New York
Can you tell if the cable is still attached or broken? If it feels like its still attached have you tried unhooking the cable from the handle and pulling on it?
The hood on my car hadn't been opened in over a year and was stuck. Pulling on it didn't work but giving it a quick rap with a closed fist got it to release.
The hood on my car hadn't been opened in over a year and was stuck. Pulling on it didn't work but giving it a quick rap with a closed fist got it to release.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
When pulling interior Hood Release lever, Driver's side latch will NOT dis-engage, while Passenger side still releases & functions properly.
I purchased Eckler's Hood Opening Tool for the C4, however, it doesn't function as advertised.
Hood cannot now be opened.
Has anyone else experienced this exasperating issue??
I purchased Eckler's Hood Opening Tool for the C4, however, it doesn't function as advertised.
Hood cannot now be opened.
Has anyone else experienced this exasperating issue??
Drivers side was relatively easy on mine, though there may be subtle differences on my '96 from your '87
If you can get past the weird angle, you'll see where the tape aligns in this shot. Also note the angle of the handle in upper right.
. I had to cut 1/4" off the end of the tool to get the passenger side.
Don't give up! If I can do it anyone can.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,804
Likes: 5,634
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
When it happened to me years back I use a metal hanger, folded like a hook and slipped over the hood seal, and just fished for the hook, within 5 minutes and I got it, and opened it.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hood Release issue:
Thanx 4encouragement-Turns out a large stiff rubber seal plug, in front of the hood latch, blocked the tool from doing its job. So had to remove cover around the release lever to access both bare cables, then pushing up on cables while pulling release lever popped the hood. Real problem seems2B older stretched-out cables, which I'll be replacing. Tightened the adjusters, which will correct my problem until cable order arrives. Thanx again 4 ultra-helpful photo.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 40
From: Overland Park, KS
2017 C4 of the Year Finalist
My fix for a hood release
I use fish leaders for both of my cars since not being able to open the hood is a bummer especially when you've driven to a show. For the '88 it's two of them connected together.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
I disagree. A hood release tool works brilliantly. The OP had some unexpected trash interfering with his release. That may very well have led to the failure.
It's a great argument for making sure there's nothing interfering with your factory release!!!
Emergency cables are fine if you only drive to and from car shows. For people who actually DD their car and and don't want to have their clamshell open and stuff missing when they get off work, the emergency tool works like a charm.
If I were the larcenous type, I would fully expect the public access cables you describe.
It's a great argument for making sure there's nothing interfering with your factory release!!!
Emergency cables are fine if you only drive to and from car shows. For people who actually DD their car and and don't want to have their clamshell open and stuff missing when they get off work, the emergency tool works like a charm.
If I were the larcenous type, I would fully expect the public access cables you describe.
Last edited by Renfield; Aug 25, 2018 at 08:03 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 750
Likes: 86
From: St Petersburg
When pulling interior Hood Release lever, Driver's side latch will NOT dis-engage, while Passenger side still releases & functions properly.
I purchased Eckler's Hood Opening Tool for the C4, however, it doesn't function as advertised.
Hood cannot now be opened.
Has anyone else experienced this exasperating issue??
I purchased Eckler's Hood Opening Tool for the C4, however, it doesn't function as advertised.
Hood cannot now be opened.
Has anyone else experienced this exasperating issue??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 40
From: Overland Park, KS
2017 C4 of the Year Finalist
Funny - at the St. Pete Pier show yesterday we were discussing this very issue. On one of the C4s the stripping was missing on the drivers side - and I can guess why. Showed my fishing leader fix to people (variant of my C1 fix). Hopefully they will put them in before they need them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 750
Likes: 86
From: St Petersburg
Funny - at the St. Pete Pier show yesterday we were discussing this very issue. On one of the C4s the stripping was missing on the drivers side - and I can guess why. Showed my fishing leader fix to people (variant of my C1 fix). Hopefully they will put them in before they need them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
yes, I had the hood cable failure twice., Hood tool was a bitch till I caught on to best way to use it. I did have to get thru a bit of hood weather striping if that was what you call it. The emergency cables saved me the hassle\ when second failure happened.... which was my fault.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
I disagree. A hood release tool works brilliantly. The OP had some unexpected trash interfering with his release. That may very well have led to the failure.
It's a great argument for making sure there's nothing interfering with your factory release!!!
Emergency cables are fine if you only drive to and from car shows. For people who actually DD their car and and don't want to have their clamshell open and stuff missing when they get off work, the emergency tool works like a charm.
If I were the larcenous type, I would fully expect the public access cables you describe.
It's a great argument for making sure there's nothing interfering with your factory release!!!
Emergency cables are fine if you only drive to and from car shows. For people who actually DD their car and and don't want to have their clamshell open and stuff missing when they get off work, the emergency tool works like a charm.
If I were the larcenous type, I would fully expect the public access cables you describe.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Passenger side gave me trouble until I read online that the tool is about 1/4" too long. Two minutes in a vise and that was fixed.
Your comfort level with strangers is much higher than mine. It's not the "average person" I worry about in the least. It's a lowlife C4 owner who needs a new ECM, ASR, Battery, Headlight motor, etc... And almost every C4 owner knows about this fix. It is literally the first thing I learned about the car.
Mine is a DD, so that's just asking for trouble.
Last edited by Renfield; Aug 27, 2018 at 07:32 AM.
