Passenger side hood latch cable off-hood won't open?

nifty850 · Post by **nifty850** » 08 Jan 2012, 08:57

97'/850 Hood release cable off latch on passenger side and cannot get passenger side open. Driver side released and OK. Removed corner light assembly but cannot tell much from what I see. Anyone have any help on how I can get passenger side released from catch so I can open hood? Thanks

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 08 Jan 2012, 09:34

Do a search here. There have been several threads on this topic. Good luck.

nifty850 · Post by **nifty850** » 08 Jan 2012, 10:05

Thanks instarx. Checked out what has been posted previously before I posted. Went back and searched again using various wordings and still came up empty. It appears most of the posters scenarios are that they still have their cable attached to the the lock assembly. I do not. So I have got to get to the lock assembly to manually release hood. This predicament surely has happened to others over the years. Hopefully, they will see my post and advise.

nifty850 · Post by **nifty850** » 28 Jan 2012, 12:49

Success! This is how I solved my hood latch problem: For simplicity drivers side will referred to as L and passenger side referred to as R. Remove R corner light assembly. Is attached with a spring in rear. Pull easy. Spring attachment will break end of plastic arm if pulled too much. Use long handled needlenose to remove spring from arm. Disconnect wire harness from rear of light assemblyand set aside. Remove plastic body corner piece below by pulling forward. Is attached with 2 clips. This may require a little force. Mine had rust and had some resistance. * Note my car does not have wipers for the headlights which made it easier to remove. Next, remove seven clips that hold headlight glass in place being careful not to lose clips or drop glass! Next, remove headlight assembly by gently prying forward. Careful, this is plastic! disconnect high and low harnesses from housing and set housing aside. You will see two round plugs, each two inches in diameter on the panel that headlight mounts to. You will only need the left plug removed. There are three notches around these plugs. Take a screwdriver and turn slightly until they line up with slots. Remove by pushing in. Don't worry, the plug will either fall to ground or lay within easy reach. Next take a small lighted extendable mirror and small diameter snake light and insert through plug opening. This is much easier if you have one with the light and mirror together. You then manuever long handled needlenose with light and mirror until you get cable end back in notch on latch assembly. Since I was able to get to L latch assembly, I removed this end from latch and pulled, releasing the R latch assembly.
Now I want to get on my soapbox! This job was a major PITA to put it bluntly. Believe me, you don't want this hassle. Next tume you are under your hood, inspect all three latch assemblies and do a little PM. I removed the L and R assemblies and lubricated thouroughly. Next I made sure this will never happen again on this car. On the latch triggers there are small holes. I took some galvanized wire and attached through the hole and ran through openings to behind bumper. Be sure to test before closing hood. L side route straight down. R side route over to middle of car. I sincerely hope this helps someone and you can rest assured I will be checking the assemblies of my other vehicles and installing emergency release wires on them as well. Good Luck All!