1998 s70 t5 hood stuck... middle latch.

Post by **RobTheModd** » 14 Dec 2010, 07:51

Hey guys...
Went to open the hood this morning to check coolant level....
and the hood wouldnt open.

The two latches.
one on driver side, and one on pass side. unlatched.
but the MIDDLE one would not unhook....

I kinda need to get this fixed before I drive home from work.
I am going to try to find somethings around the office to use, but I am highly doubting I will be able to.
May go play with it during lunch... but still unsure.

I have a xc grille in there right now.
so its not as easy to get to the latch from the grille.
tried stuffing my arm in there but not enough room for it...

Any help?
Remember... I have NO tools right now.
Havent had the time to put my tools in the trunk, or I wouldnt be posting this...

Post by **RobTheModd** » 14 Dec 2010, 08:35

Ok... so I figured out that like the 850, the s70 latch moves forwards.
now I just gotta figure out a way to get in there. lol.
and if a coat hanger would work?

theres a walgreens across the street so I can go get some stuff.

Post by **jblackburn** » 14 Dec 2010, 08:40

Can you have someone pull up on the hood while you pull the latch inside the car? I don't really see how the center one would get stuck; it's usually the two side ones.

Post by **RobTheModd** » 14 Dec 2010, 13:08

I know how...
the handle broke, and the metal rod seems to have fallen out.......
I managed to pull the grille out without breaking anything.
since im new to the s70's I didnt know how to get it out, thought the hood release was maybe attached to the grille like it slightly is on the 850s.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 14 Dec 2010, 13:10

I think a bent coat hanger and a good light will get you there.
These should help:

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 17 Dec 2010, 18:17

So...Didja get that hood open?

Post by **OnlyWagons** » 20 Feb 2011, 11:25

Not the OP here, but wanted to say thanks to BEJin for posting those pictures of the middle latch mechanism. Mine fell apart into two pieces on my hands, and with your pics, I should be able to rig it back up again.

Also, I found the end of a 17mm open-ended wrench, gently cantilevered into position, is the perfect tool for releasing this middle latch (now that I've had to do it more than a few times). Light is essential!

Post by **RobTheModd** » 20 Feb 2011, 13:00

Sorry for bailing on the updates.

Yeah I managed to get it open in the parking lot at work...

Problem was, the handle at the bottom broke... so now I just have a wire sticking thru my grille till I find another one.
unsure how much they are online, or where to find them... guess eeuro would have?

Anyways, managed to remove the grill... I do NOT recommend doing that as it is a major PITA and will take awhile... but if you have to, you have to..

I had the XC grill in at the time so im assuming it wold be alot easier to do with the stock grill.
and now have the IPD gen 1 mesh grill. lol