Hood won't open - what do I do - Gen 1 ?

[67Continental]

When I pulled my hood release tonight, all I heard was a sound like the cable moving, but the hood didn't pop. How do I get the hood open? This Sucks!

 

[Gray Mist]

That really would suck!!!

Aside from a crowbar or tourch, and not being able to reach through the grill with leverage tool....... get the front end as high as you can (lift would be perfect) and if my old brain cells are not lieing to me, you may be able to take off a bottom pan and with very long screwdriver(or such device) be able to reach up and trip the catch. Hopefully fan shround won't have to be released first. Chances are the cable broke at the connection on the trip lever.
Good luck, let us know how it works out.

 

[67Continental]

I've replaced it once - that time it broke open, and I replaced the latch and the cable. I'll take a look at it in the daylight, thanks for the suggestions. Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[Gray Mist]

Whoa....second break??????

If you replaced it once already then it would seem that there is more to the cause.

Where did the cable break before?
Did you change cable and housing when you replaced it?

 

[67Continental]

the first time it broke, the latch would not catch when you tried to close it. This is because the little metal lead at the end of the cable that locks into the latch had become frayed and was no longer making contact. I replaced the entire cable, and the entire latch and housing. The previous time it would always open fine, it just would not close without assistance (moving part of the inside of the latch). This time it won't open at all. I don't think it's related...I replaced it with used parts, so I don't know what kind of shape it was in.

 

[Brozly]

Have somebody try lifting while you pull the cable...
Mine has gotten hard to pull since I crashed last March, hopefully I can get it adjusted.

 

[ASMBLYLINE]

suggestion

Have somebody try lifting while you pull the cable...
Mine has gotten hard to pull since I crashed last March, hopefully I can get it adjusted.

If anything you should PUSH DOWN on the hood while pulling the cable.

what does the handle feel like when you pull it?

My mark was completely deflated and on the ground and i was able to lay down and stick my arm up and release the hood.

JJ

 

[MarkVIII93]

cut a hole in it with a sawzall.

 

[Brozly]

If anything you should PUSH DOWN on the hood while pulling the cable.

what does the handle feel like when you pull it?

My mark was completely deflated and on the ground and i was able to lay down and stick my arm up and release the hood.

JJ

Your probably correct, that would deffinatly be the case with mine,(cable pullin hard) but I have had some that would actually release and just not pop up...

 

[67Continental]

If anything you should PUSH DOWN on the hood while pulling the cable.

what does the handle feel like when you pull it?

My mark was completely deflated and on the ground and i was able to lay down and stick my arm up and release the hood.

JJ

really? any tips on where to stick that arm?

 

[67Continental]

Your probably correct, that would deffinatly be the case with mine,(cable pullin hard) but I have had some that would actually release and just not pop up...

my hood cable pulls with no real resistance, although I can hear some kind of clicking on the front of the left fender.

 

[MonsterMark]

I'd pull a 'Fonzie' and give the hood a nice firm hit with the side of a closed fist right on the latch in the exact center and front edge of the hood. Works like a charm. Then lube up the locking assembly to free up the sticking mechanism. A nice firm rap is all it takes.

 

[67Continental]

i peered through the grille and it looks like I can access the latch mechanism through there, if I have something long and thin enough.

 

[67Continental]

ok, so I reached up under the car with my hand and opened the hood. Turns out the screw that holds the cable to the latch mount had come off, and it was just floating there freely. So it's "all good" now Thanks for the help guys.