Hood Won't Open!!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Hood Won't Open!!!
Argh... I can't the hood open on bastet44's 87 coupe... Damned thing.
It's like the cable is too slack, but I can't get anything on it to get the bitch open!
This is the drivers side latch... the passengers side is ok.
The annoying part, I was adjusting the passengers side when the drivers side locks up!!!!!!!!
Any ideas??? Anyone in the Torrance area have the hood opener thingy???
It's like the cable is too slack, but I can't get anything on it to get the bitch open!
This is the drivers side latch... the passengers side is ok.
The annoying part, I was adjusting the passengers side when the drivers side locks up!!!!!!!!
Any ideas??? Anyone in the Torrance area have the hood opener thingy???
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
it's wierd, the drivers side of the hood is raised, but it won't come up. It's odd. I have no clue what is going on at this point... all I know, I can't get it to come open. and it's pissing me off 3 ways from sunday... argh...
so damned stupid...
so damned stupid...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Langley B.C.
Someone posted that they removed the inner fender to get theirs released because they did not have a release tool.I think they had another suggestion after doing it...I will see if I can find it and come back! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
When my cable melted in an engine fire, I just removed the fenderwell shoved a screwdriver up there and popped the latch. Took about 15min. Better than buying a tool for one use (hopefully).
Dale
Dale
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
I removed the fender and used a pair of pliers to pull on the hood cable. I got tired of scratching the **** out of the paint on the underside of the hood with the stupid-*** hood tool.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by eptaylor
These two phrases work for a simple search: 1) hood stuck
2) Hood Cable Let Go
These might help one mentions a broom handle but most just say reach on up there!
2) Hood Cable Let Go
These might help one mentions a broom handle but most just say reach on up there!
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
ok... i have the fender off... now what the hell do I do??? I am sooo lost under there for some reason.
I can't get any tools in there... can't get any leverage.
I will go searching for the last thread on this. it was a couple of weeks back, right? may already be in archive.
I did a search, this is the thread I found - tomorrow, I take more apart!!!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=922406
I can't get any tools in there... can't get any leverage.
I will go searching for the last thread on this. it was a couple of weeks back, right? may already be in archive.
I did a search, this is the thread I found - tomorrow, I take more apart!!!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=922406
Last edited by bogus; Oct 14, 2004 at 02:12 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Bogus, there is a way to get at the drivers side latch with a piece of strong coat hanger fashioned into a tool like this. Make it about 10 inch with a small 1/8 inch hook like this on one end and with a pull ring on the other end for grip.
Then go in through the little area I'm pointing at here (pointing with the tip of a red zip tie)..note the cable and catch location behind where I'm pointing.
Go in here...at the base of windshield near VIN# and drivers side wiper..in the spot I pointed at in pic.
Like so, but with hood down in your case...so you'll be flying blind but with these pics and a flashlight you should be able to get at it..
Once your in you turn hook down and attempt to catch black tab or hood latch cable and pull like so...
You'll be flying blind for the most part and it takes some patience and perhaps a little cussing but can be done.
Good luck!
Then go in through the little area I'm pointing at here (pointing with the tip of a red zip tie)..note the cable and catch location behind where I'm pointing.
Go in here...at the base of windshield near VIN# and drivers side wiper..in the spot I pointed at in pic.
Like so, but with hood down in your case...so you'll be flying blind but with these pics and a flashlight you should be able to get at it..
Once your in you turn hook down and attempt to catch black tab or hood latch cable and pull like so...
You'll be flying blind for the most part and it takes some patience and perhaps a little cussing but can be done.
Good luck!
Last edited by skateparkdave; Oct 14, 2004 at 03:59 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Great reply Dave! With pics even. If you haven't submitted that procedure as a tech tip, I suggest you do. It's only a matter of time before we will all need it.
Can I get an Amen, Bogus?
Can I get an Amen, Bogus?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by Steel Blue 91
Great reply Dave! With pics even. If you haven't submitted that procedure as a tech tip, I suggest you do. It's only a matter of time before we will all need it.
Can I get an Amen, Bogus?
Can I get an Amen, Bogus?
A huge AMEN!
I am off to open the hood!
Thanks so much for ALL your help!!!!!! I have enough options and great procedures to try! It's so enlightening.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by skateparkdave
Bogus, there is a way to get at the drivers side latch with a piece of strong coat hanger fashioned into a tool like this. Make it about 10 inch with a small 1/8 inch hook like this on one end and with a pull ring on the other end for grip.
Then go in through the little area I'm pointing at here (pointing with the tip of a red zip tie)..note the cable and catch location behind where I'm pointing.
Go in here...at the base of windshield near VIN# and drivers side wiper..in the spot I pointed at in pic.
Like so, but with hood down in your case...so you'll be flying blind but with these pics and a flashlight you should be able to get at it..
Once your in you turn hook down and attempt to catch black tab or hood latch cable and pull like so...
You'll be flying blind for the most part and it takes some patience and perhaps a little cussing but can be done. Good luck!
Then go in through the little area I'm pointing at here (pointing with the tip of a red zip tie)..note the cable and catch location behind where I'm pointing.
Go in here...at the base of windshield near VIN# and drivers side wiper..in the spot I pointed at in pic.
Like so, but with hood down in your case...so you'll be flying blind but with these pics and a flashlight you should be able to get at it..
Once your in you turn hook down and attempt to catch black tab or hood latch cable and pull like so...
You'll be flying blind for the most part and it takes some patience and perhaps a little cussing but can be done.
Good luck!THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by bogus
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
You are very welcome!! It's nice to get appreciation. As you know, so many in here take advice and run without thanks and leave you wondering what happened. So thanks for the thanks! 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
THANK YOU!!!!! I just got it open!!!!!
The first thanks was for the detailed instructions!
I had to take the battery out and loosen the latch bolts!!!!!! now I need to adjust some of the slack out of the cable.
whew....
The first thanks was for the detailed instructions!
I had to take the battery out and loosen the latch bolts!!!!!! now I need to adjust some of the slack out of the cable.
whew....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by bogus
THANK YOU!!!!! I just got it open!!!!!
The first thanks was for the detailed instructions!
I had to take the battery out and loosen the latch bolts!!!!!! now I need to adjust some of the slack out of the cable.
whew....
The first thanks was for the detailed instructions!
I had to take the battery out and loosen the latch bolts!!!!!! now I need to adjust some of the slack out of the cable.
whew....
Did it make it easier to loosen latch bolts, then use my method?? Or, were you unable to get at the latch with my method?? I have done it successfully on my 90, before repairing my cable, several times without removing battery and loosening any latch bolts. I just need to know what you ran in to. Do you think there are any C4 year model differences on the subject?? Like for example, between my 90 and the 87 you were working on.
Thanks,
Dave
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I would. My situation is unique. This car is a salvage, as such, I think the entire hood is out of wack.
The latch actually jammed. I don't think it had anything to do with a bad cable.
Your suggestions tho, were instrumental in me getting it open, and should be shared, regardless of the reason!!!!
The latch actually jammed. I don't think it had anything to do with a bad cable.
Your suggestions tho, were instrumental in me getting it open, and should be shared, regardless of the reason!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 1
From: Henderson NV
I'll toss this suggestion in the pot, even the problem has been resolved. Simply remove the mounting screw for the "handle", and pull on the handle (with the cables still in the slot). You can get quite a bit of motion with the handle dismounted. This will work for badly stretched cables. If one of the retaining clips has broken however, you are well and truly screwed and it's "tool" time or whatever.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by vetteseniorcit
I'll toss this suggestion in the pot, even the problem has been resolved. Simply remove the mounting screw for the "handle", and pull on the handle (with the cables still in the slot). You can get quite a bit of motion with the handle dismounted. This will work for badly stretched cables. If one of the retaining clips has broken however, you are well and truly screwed and it's "tool" time or whatever.