Hey guys,

I went to pop my hood today, the handle broke right off into my hand (cable too) Anyone know how the heck to get the hood open without using a crow bar and sledge hammer?

Thanks, Mike

 

do you know a wizard?

 

No, but my hood is about to know my saws all :0)

 

So the entire cable all the way to the latch itself came off too? Maybe you can trace it and try to see if there is anything left to get a bite with some pliers? - assuming its not completely broken

 

maybe you can get at the latch with a screw driver and unlatch it.

 

Yeah, it looks like the entire cable came with the handle.......like it broke from the latch. I'll have to get the car up on a jack tomorrow to see if I can find something.

 

This sucks because the car leaks tranny fluid and it desperately needs it.

 

The cable runs from the driver footwell into the engine compartment along the fender lip next to the hood and over to the latch. If you have an LX you can see the latch from the front nose of the car. If you have GT you cannot due to the closed gap between the hood and the front bumper. You might not be able to see the cable after jacking it up due to the fan shroud and fan, THe best bet is like posted above. If you can get ahold of the remaining cable left in the driver footwell under the steering column and pull it with pliers or wrap it around a handle of sorts and pull.

 

You have to get your hand up behind the latch assy and trigger the lever there that the cable pulls on....it moves toward the driver side of the car and can be easy or hard to move but it's the only way you will get it open.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, gonna give it a go on Saturday. Anyone feel like taking a pic of there latch assembly?

Mike

 

What you would need to see from a picture can't be seen with it installed on the car....it is the back of the latch assy that has the trigger you need to release.

 

Hey Mike,

In answer to your question, did you try saying pretty please? If you did and that didn't work, try rubbing the rear right tire ever so gently in small circles (kind of like burping a newborn). If all else fails, try getting rid of that piece of crap - you're wife hates it anyway...and now that she's stuck in the house today cause you had to take her car, she really hates it. Nahmeen?

 

Someone welded another front snout on my '85 and I have to push down on the hood while reaching through the grille opening to open it. One more project on my to do list of my Stangs. kennyg
p.s. Give the wife some attention when you get home!

 

I snapped a quick pic of mine with my phone- it at least gives you the level at which the cable goes into the latch- just see if you can reach up into there, and maybe grab what might be left of the cable. Looked like there might just be barely enough room for a skinny hand (and some locking pliers) to come up from the bottom, unless you dont have the AC condensor in the way.

 

I was able to reach up from under the car and slide the lever over, the hood latch released (thanks svopaul) I now have a part of the cable (some cable was still left) hanging out the front grill.....I just pull that to pop the hood now

Thank you all for your help, and thank YOU X21 for the pic man. I got it open before I saw that pic, but that definately would have been helpfull.
The rustang will live on again!!

Mike

 

you're welcome... i just wish i coulda got it out to you faster. Makes you just want to just lock your hood again so you have to use it now, huh?