Hood Latch release handle broken
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 633
Likes: 2
From: Nampa ID
Hood Latch release handle broken
I have a bud with a 91 that has a broken hood latch release (under the dash). How can this be fixed and how do you access under the dash to fix it if it is broken.
Also, how do you get the hood opened with this problem. Any pics on here to aid in this job.
Thanks
Also, how do you get the hood opened with this problem. Any pics on here to aid in this job.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
I think to get the hood open you can get one of the hood release tools. Most of the parts vendors sell it - its a thick metal rod with a hook on one end and a handle on the other.
For replacing the hood release mech in the car you'll probably need a factory service manual.
For replacing the hood release mech in the car you'll probably need a factory service manual.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
hood
I had this same probem with my 88. I bought that special tool to release the hood. I couldn't get it to work. What worked for me was I jacked the front of the car up. I removed the front wheels. Then I remove the center fiberglass cover that is part of the wheel well. I took a srewdriver heated it uo and bent it into a hook. I reached up inside and grabbed the hood latch with the hook. You pull toward the motor and the latch will release. You do this to both side. The cable is easy to replace and not very expensive. Did you try pulling the cable where the handle use to be? Sometimes you can grab the cable with a pair of channel locks and pull. Try that first. Good Luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 1
From: Morrisonville Illinios
Try the channel locks or vise-grips. That should get it open sometimes your helper might either push down on the hod or pull at the same time in the area by the latch. The latching Mech is replaceable from alot of the vendors that advertise on the forum. wro87
wro87
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 30
........here is a mod i did and the link that will get you under the hood after the fact, the next time it happens...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1555002744
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1555002744
Last edited by Da Mail Man; Sep 21, 2006 at 06:35 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
The two cables that run through the firewall connect to the hood release lever. The lever itself is plastic and on the end of each cable is a small barrel shaped piece. These pieces slip in and push to the inside of the plastic hood lever and lock into position. It's possible that the plastic has broke and would need to be replaced. The easiet way to get under there is remove the drivers seat and get your head way under there and with a flashlight. It's not hard to replace and the lever bolts on to the inside dash frame. To get the hood to open without replacing the lever...just follow the info above.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
I have the same problem right now with the handle being broken.
I took the broken handle out and there are two wires in plastic sheathing with ***** on the ends.
One wire at a time hold the plastic sheathing back and just pull the wire by the ****. one wire unhooks the drivers side the other wire unhooks the passenger side. Make sure you hold back the sheathing or nothign will happen.
It can be fairly stiff, you may need to use a rag to get a better grip on the wire or even use a pair of plyers.
I plan to fix mine but until then it's not that big a deal. I just don't like knowing there is something broken on my car.
I took the broken handle out and there are two wires in plastic sheathing with ***** on the ends.
One wire at a time hold the plastic sheathing back and just pull the wire by the ****. one wire unhooks the drivers side the other wire unhooks the passenger side. Make sure you hold back the sheathing or nothign will happen.
It can be fairly stiff, you may need to use a rag to get a better grip on the wire or even use a pair of plyers.
I plan to fix mine but until then it's not that big a deal. I just don't like knowing there is something broken on my car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Whidbey Island Washington
Originally Posted by Da Mail Man
........here is a link that will get you under the hood after the fact, the next time it happens...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1555002744
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1555002744
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 30
Originally Posted by ZRWON
Here's a pic of the fastest, easiest and least expensive way to be prepared when the C4's infamous hood latch won't release happens to you (IMHO). This will solve 99% of the causes. Think this idea was posted by some CF member long ago. I had this problem in 1987 on my '85. I've used it on at least 6 of my C4s since then and several friends also have it. Funny though now that we all have it on our cars, it's never been used. Oh well, the Boy Scout moto is "BE PREPARED"
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Duh I live in the city Lifted
Originally Posted by ZRWON
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Whidbey Island Washington
Originally Posted by Postpro
If no one showed this to you, you had to feel like a gargantuan brainiac after you figured this. I used my fingers on the little ***** and pulled but as my avatar suggests I aint right
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by ZRWON
THANKS, but nope it's not my design; Some one smarter than me gets credit for that idea!... I really think it came from some one on the CF, but don't remember when I 1st saw it. I did take the lazy was to routing the 12 inch plastic zip tie without drilling any holes. With mine I can reach in by the wiper and pull it out and toward hood's middle and it pops open. The ones on my BEAST2 have been installed 3 years. I test them every so often to make sure they still work. I have one of Gordon Kilebrew'a magic tools and it works but I never remember to put it in the Vette I'm driving. At my age CRS is in the advanced stages.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Whidbey Island Washington
Originally Posted by vinnies87
That would be me bud.... vinnies87
See you got a harness bar for your toy; going to do some racing? Did you see my video posts of the Pony Express130 with the cars passing the gate where Jerry M and I worked as course workers? What a sight to see one pass <200 feet from us at 200+mph. That's fast...1 mile traveled every 18 seconds!
regards, neighbor, Bill
Last edited by ZRWON; Sep 22, 2006 at 11:19 AM.
