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Cannot Open the Hood

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Old May 12, 2009 | 05:40 PM
  #1  
DreamCatcher's Avatar
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Cannot Open the Hood

Hello all!

I had my hood replaced a while ago. From then on, Im having trouble opening the hood.

I pull the hood release lever under the steering, but the hood doesn't pop. Nothing happens. I pull up the small lever under the hood, but it stays shut.

I cannot do anything to get the darn thing open. The thing is, I had given the car for oil change, and they didn't complain about not being able to open the hood- but being the idiot that I am, I didn't ask them how they did it.

So I was wondering if any of you had any ideas on how to get the hood open... when the release lever is not working.

The lever under the steering has tension, I can certainly say the the cable is not disconnected.

Thanks!
Old May 12, 2009 | 05:41 PM
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Have you tried pushing down on the hood while the release handle is pulled?

It's pretty easy to pop the hood from the outside. Certainly much easier with the grill off, but doable either way.
Old May 12, 2009 | 05:45 PM
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Try and have someone pull the latch while you pull up the hood at the same time. I had this same problem with one of my old toyota cressidas, and that's how i had to get the hood open all the time. And just like you said, the latch had the tension, but the hood wouldn't pop to save it's life.
Old May 12, 2009 | 06:10 PM
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That would drive me crazy!

Wouldn't hurt to re-adjust it once you get it opened..
Old May 13, 2009 | 04:30 PM
  #5  
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Duh! Yes, if I have the release lever (under the steering) pulled, then the hood opens up without an issue.

Any ideas on how to fix it?

Thanks in advance.
Old May 13, 2009 | 04:33 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by DreamCatcher
Duh! Yes, if I have the release lever (under the steering) pulled, then the hood opens up without an issue.

Any ideas on how to fix it?

Thanks in advance.
Wait...what? If the hood pops without an issue when you pull the release, what is this thread about?
Old May 13, 2009 | 04:38 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by pmohr
Wait...what? If the hood pops without an issue when you pull the release, what is this thread about?
I have to have the release engaged- I cannot pull it once and walk over to the hood.

I have to have someone hold the release, then go and pop the hood by pressing the lever underneath the grill.

So if I have to do it on my own, then I would have to tie a loop of rope around the lever (under the steering), use the seatbelt hanger as a pulley, and then route the rope to the front of the hood where I will need to pull the rope, and then pop the hood

I am looking to fix it so that I just have to pull the release lever, let it go, walk over to the hood and then open it.

Please let me know if you need more clarification!
Old May 13, 2009 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by DreamCatcher
I have to have the release engaged- I cannot pull it once and walk over to the hood.

I have to have someone hold the release, then go and pop the hood by pressing the lever underneath the grill.

So if I have to do it on my own, then I would have to tie a loop of rope around the lever (under the steering), use the seatbelt hanger as a pulley, and then route the rope to the front of the hood where I will need to pull the rope, and then pop the hood

I am looking to fix it so that I just have to pull the release lever, let it go, walk over to the hood and then open it.

Please let me know if you need more clarification!
Did you get your hood replaced just because it was torn up, or were you in a front end collision?

Does the hood look like it's properly adjusted from the gaps on each side?

Have you tried to adjust the hood latch?
Old May 13, 2009 | 05:48 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by pmohr
Did you get your hood replaced just because it was torn up, or were you in a front end collision?

Does the hood look like it's properly adjusted from the gaps on each side?

Have you tried to adjust the hood latch?
I was in a 3mph fender bender- only the hood folded up. I had the grille and hood replaced. The body shop said that the there were only a few places which needed to be bent back into shape.

The hood is properly adjusted- the gaps are even on both sides, and it sits flush.

I have not tried to adjust the hood latch. Is it similar to adjusting the latch for the trunk?
Old May 13, 2009 | 06:27 PM
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something might srill be a little tweaked. .

why dont you just bring it back to teh shop???
Old May 13, 2009 | 07:08 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by QNO_A32
something might srill be a little tweaked. .

why dont you just bring it back to teh shop???
Yeah, I can do that, but I was hoping it was a simple fix, so that I don't have to drive 40 minutes away to the shop...
Old May 14, 2009 | 07:19 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by pmohr
Have you tried to adjust the hood latch?
That would be to easy to do and is most definately the issue.
Old May 15, 2009 | 07:04 AM
  #13  
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From: new jersey
spray some liquid wrench and your good 2 go.
i just bought my 96 last saturday and i couldnt open up the hood. all i did was spray some liquid wrench on the hood latch and bada bing bada boom! IT WORKS!
:-D
Old May 15, 2009 | 09:27 AM
  #14  
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From: New York
Definitely "adjust" the hood latch in the front between the horns with a slide hammer til it works right. Then put a little grease on it and you should never have a problem again.
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