Hood release cable came off

B

brother chris

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Hi All,
It's been a while since I've been posting here. Just lurking most the time.
I have a 1991 Chev S-10 and my friend closed the hood of my truck and the cable came off of the release clip(or whatever it is called).
I can get part of my hand under the hood by prying the plastic grill out of the way, but not all the way. I think I'm going to break the grill if I pry it any harder. If I could only get the cable back on the clip?
Anybody gone through this before? Any tips or suggestions would be very appreciative.
Thanks,
BC
 
T

TilliamWe

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Re: Hood release cable came off

If you can't unscrew the grille to remove it, your job is going to be more difficult, since the grill makes it hard to see and is hard to work around. And I don't think you can get to all the screws, without the hood being open! Catch 22. You are going to need to release the hood latch with something like a big screw driver or tire iron. If you can see the place where the cable is supposed to attach, you have to get your tool on that part, and move it just like the cable would. It's not going to be easy. Good luck.
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

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Re: Hood release cable came off

If you can't get to it through the grill maybe try and jack the front end up and see if you can get your hand up there from under the vehicle.
If your arm is long enough to work up and around the fan shroud it may work...
 
B

brother chris

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Re: Hood release cable came off

Thanks guys, for the tips.
I'm going to try jacking it up when I get home....maybe I can reach my arm up there. I tried that yesterday, without jacking it up....I couldn't get my arm more than half way up there.
B.C.
 
M

Moody Blue

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Re: Hood release cable came off

You will have a better chance of success with two people. You need to push down on the hood to release pressure on the latch while manually releasing it.

Not sure if you can see any of the latch at all thru the grill, but if you can, try getting a large screwdriver or a length of coat hanger in there to move the latch lever.
 
K

Knightgang

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Re: Hood release cable came off

I doubt you will reach the latch that way. Something you might consider though. See if there is anyway to get the hinges at the back of the hood. If you can get a socket and long extension (maybe with a universal on it) then you might can get the bolts out of the back of the hinges and can lift the hood from the back enough to get tot he latch and release it. Then you can fix the latch cable and reattach the hood....

Worth a try and would not tear anything up...
 
T

thefairlaneman

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Re: Hood release cable came off

Yo.Just drill a hole in the hood and then insert a small screw driver and flip the latch..........Next take a small piece of chewing gum and stick it in the hole.....
 
T

thefairlaneman

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Re: Hood release cable came off

Knightgang said:
I doubt you will reach the latch that way. Something you might consider though. See if there is anyway to get the hinges at the back of the hood. If you can get a socket and long extension (maybe with a universal on it) then you might can get the bolts out of the back of the hinges and can lift the hood from the back enough to get tot he latch and release it. Then you can fix the latch cable and reattach the hood....

Worth a try and would not tear anything up...
Click to expand...
No no no , I wouldnt even try that even if it would work.
 
W

windsors03cobra

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Re: Hood release cable came off

I have worked on a car or 2 like this in my time and find a little selective cutting goes a long way, like most cars it is impossible to remove the grill with out having the hood open so yea that is no fun. Dreaded problem

I also love the hood release where the cable just pulls right out as you try to pop the hood or the latch is so bugerred up/loaded and is so hard to pull that the plastic handle has broken and is now being released using a vise grip/plier.
And the best one where you gotta 2 man it one guy lifting or jagging with the hood and one guy operating the release, a couple of variants on this one are you can 1 man'er by sticking the release open with a "deal" or operating the release and giving the hood a "whack" or "wiggle" which will pop some. AH FUN. :cool:
 
scipper77

scipper77

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Re: Hood release cable came off

I had a grand am with a broken hood release cable once. I just reached up from underneath the car and manually released the hood latch. I don't know if yours is that easy but if I had to start cutting I would likely look for a way to get to the latch from below.
 
dolluper

dolluper

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Re: Hood release cable came off

Yep underneath with a coat hanger....make a inch loop and then bend it 90 approx the distance you can get it up and in ...then start fishing ...you drop the loop on the release get someone to push lightly on the hood and yank her open....tedious but works
 
JustJason

JustJason

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Re: Hood release cable came off

I have a feeling your going to be doing some selective cutting. Try starting with the parts that cost the least :)

I had a door once that wouldn't open because the linkage fell off the latch. Similar thing. Wouldn't open from the inside or out. With the door being closed you couldn't get the door panel off. Lets just say it was interesting how I got it open.
 
B

brother chris

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Re: Hood release cable came off

Thanks for the tips. I tried needle nosed pliers, holding the black cable(which covers the wire), but that was no luck.
I've only got one hour of daylight from the time I get home from work, so I might be doing this for a week or so. I'm going to try the coat hanger which dolluper mentioned.
If all else fails, I'm going to cut the grill to get my hand up there. I do have a spare grill which I can replace if I end up cutting the grill for access.
I'll keep you all updated as I progress.
 
B

brother chris

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Re: Hood release cable came off

Oh, I do have a friend who is helping. I know I need someone to pull the lever while I try my trickery.
 
T

thefairlaneman

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Re: Hood release cable came off

Knightgang said:
Why not. Would not damage anything....
Click to expand...
Even it you could manage to remove the hood from its hinges with it closed which Ive never seen done you would then have the weight of it on the latch and may bend it. Then you would have a broken cable and and a damaged latch. Another reason for why not is unless you have done it before thinking it could be done may exceed you ability to do it.
 
K

Knightgang

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Re: Hood release cable came off

I have had to do it on a Mazda Car before...

If the latch bends, it will bend back easier than repairing cuts made in the front of the vehicle to gain access...

Mazda and S-10 are not the same, I know, but no damage was done, nor a bent latch on the Mazda. To me it seemed like the least damaging way to reaccess the engine compartment...
 
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