Hood cable/latch is broken - Dealer is no help

[Bonnell]

Hi,

I dropped my '88 vette off at the local dealer for a Mobil 1 oil change. When they attempted to open the hood, they broke the cable or latch and they cannot get the hood open. They have had it all day.

They are simply putting it back together as they were trying to get in behind the battery access panel.

I just ordered a tool from Ecklers. Anyone here have any ideas?

Thanks,

J

 

[ron]

Hood Release

J, The hood release cable (mechanism) is a simple fix once you are able to access the inside of the hood. There was a great article in one of the recent issues of a Corvette magazine, but I don't remember which month. I'm sure one of the forum members will remember, however. I, too, would be very suspect of any Chevrolet dealership in AR when it comes to Vette work. I finally found a person recommended by the local Corvette club who does a really good job with reasonable rates. He is located in Ft. Smith, however. You might think about purchasing the service manual for your car and doing the work
(what you feel comfortable doing) yourself. You would be surprised at what you can do with a good reference. Also, the members of this forum are great and will give some good advice.

Good luck with your hood opening problem.

Ron

 

[Magmotor]

Go to Lowe's and buy a 3/16 brass rod. Cut to 24". Make a mark at 1"---11"---and 19". Bend one inch mark at 90 degree. Bend 19" mark at same 90 degree (handle) Insert small bend (1") untill mark at 11" reaches the very point of the hood. You will be right next to cable latch. At 11" mark use side pressure (towards engine) holding handle in place and push lever open.
Cost: $3 Hope this helps.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Check the release lever

first check the release lever ... pull it as if you were releasing the hood. With it retracted feel in the opening and see if the cables are still attached at this end. If not lcate them and give them a tug (pliers may help). Otherwise use Magmotors idea. If you open the door and go along the steel housing right where the gasket takes a 90 degree turn .... just under the gasket at the bend .... you can gain access. Be aware you have to clear the rubber bump stop and the hood release spring by about 1 1/2 inches forward and down just a bit.

Most likely it isn't the cable but the little retainer clips that have broken.

Hey Mag is that you I've seen on Pass and on Irish Hill in the Black/dark Grey Vette? At least someone stills knows the Vette wave. C ya round.

Good luck with the Hood. I didn't have anything better to do so I went out and tried to get into mine. Sorry to say it was to no avail. But I thought up a bend similar to the one Mag described.

 

[Magmotor]

Yep...that's me..!! small world after all...unfortunetly you won't be seeing me around this weekend , anyway. The alternator went **** up and the netural switch on the trans isn't working right. I'm sending it back to Slidel to get that fixed and the extentions on the muffler welded on right. The car's been sitten more than it's been on the road, but hopefully I'll get the bugs out of it. I thought 'Crusin the Coast' was in April. Heard anything??

Like any Locksmith car opening tool ya got to fish around, get the feel of what your hitting. Push, probe, turn, twist and you'll hit that latch and pop it open. By the way. I wouldn't be too quick to accuse the mechanics of breaking the latch untill you get in there and see what actually happened. Ya don't won;t too **** them off.

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I have ordered the device from Eckler's but, if I can get the hood open this weekend using your suggestions, I'll cancel the order.

You are right, I shouldn't blame the mechanic. As I said to him, the car is 14 years old and things can/do break. What set me off is that I sat at the dealership for two hours waiting for them to replace the cable, just to find out that they took the necessary parts out to start the project just to find out later that they did not have a cable in stock (I asked before they started and they said they had it as it was a normal inventory item) for the repair.

They later determined (somehow) that the cable did not break but some kind of clips apparently broke (?). I had to pick it up this afternoon with nothing done.

Oh well - it was still fun driving home with the top off!!!! The perfect therapy.

 

[Bonnell]

Ok, what is the corvette wave???

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Corvette Wave

Awwww come on ya dont know yet?

You have probabally seen it and didn't even know.

Take you index finger and middle finger ... Thmb and other two down. Make a "V" Very similar to the "peace " sign but Vette Owners know better.

Although some of the C5 owners kinda snub their nose at you .... It has been around as long as the Vette itself. I read a post somewhere about keeping the Wave alive, and this was written back in the late 60's early 70's.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Cruisin the Coast

No word yet but it is normally in late April.

One of my bosses got his '64 wrecked last year during the cruise. The bad thing was it was the guy that looks after it driving while he was out at sea. Talk about a bummer.

Don't know if we are thinking of the same people here. Is that a pic of your car on your profile? The one I was thinking of had wheels more like stock (sawblades).

Im between 90 and Irish hill just east of Rodenburg. Holler if you need any help. Happy to lend a hand if I can. This is me.

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks. Now that I know it, I'll use it.

 

[Ken]

Ok, what is the corvette wave???

See this: Corvette Wave

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Hooooo Rrraaaahhh Ken

I new they made you guy administrators for some reason. And of course that is the very post I was refering to. Should have known it would be found at Corvette Action Center.

So how the engine project coming? I've wired communication centers for the Navy that didn't look as bad as some of those pics. ;worship after reading through the whole thing I think you did the right thing by ripping out and starting over. Much easier no?

Keep it alive

 

[Ken]

Re: Hooooo Rrraaaahhh Ken

My pleasure, but thank Rob for including it here at the .

I've wired communication centers for the Navy that didn't look as bad as some of those pics.

Sometimes I feel like I'm in over my head, but I keep plodding on. It's a wonder this old brain can handle it! :crazy

_ken

 

[Magmotor]

Yes, that's my vette on my profile. I know who you are talking about tho. Saw a jet black early model '83-'85 maybe, on pass last week. I'm sure that's the guy you saw to. Appreciate the helping hand. This is my first vette and need all the help I can get. Thanks...!!!

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Magmotor

You never see as many until you buy one. Has been the same for every car I have owned. This is my first also so we are in the same boat.

The Vette I'm seeing must live somewhere near me 'cos I see him all the time. Looks to be an 87 to possibly 95 model. Has the same wheels as I do (I think). Ive only seen him moving not stoped at a light or a sign. He was two cars back the other day on Irish Hill west of Porter. And he passed me as I was leaving the storage place on Irish Hill a few days later. Seen him on Pass a couple of times too. Looks almost Charcoal Grey (I know its not an original color) but it could have been dirty.

I did see an AF guy outside a late C3 going on the rollback eastbound on 90 the other day. It was Jet black and very clean. Hated to see him having trouble, but it looked like he was in good hands.

Funny that you got yours from Slidell (near where I work) and I got mine from Mobile. Hope you get her back on the road soon. Like I said always willing to lend a hand. C ya round.

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks for the 'wave' write up. I ran across two convertibles last night. One, a female close to my age (45) waved with enthusiasm, the other, a yung 'un, studiously ignored me. Sooner or later, he'll learn (hopefully).

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks for the tips. I have made the tool but I can't seem to connect with anything. I've never paid attention so I don't know what the hood latch looks like. I'm working in the dark.

I suppose if I can't get it open, I'll wait for the tool that I ordered and see if it has diagrams.

I appreciate your help.

 

[Magmotor]

If you like, pm me and give me e-mail address and I will send you close up pics of the lock.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Hood latch pics

Here you go Bonnell

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks! I'll try again.

Any ideas on what other means there are if the latch itself is broken? Surely there must be some other way to get in other than cutting the hood in half. :BOW