Hood cable/latch is broken - Dealer is no help

[Hrtbeat1]

Possibly the retainer clips

If you look at the pic (I know its not the best) you can see the cable and the release lever. On top of that lever is a small steel clip that actually holds the release cable. Most likely that is what is broken.

Did you check the release lever under the dash for the cables? It could have come off or broke there.

The only other thing I could think of would be to take the battery access panel off and locate the cables coming through the firewall. |Follow the one for the drivers side around and try and get to the lever where the cable enters the latch enclosure. The bad thing is this is only good for the drivers side. You would still have to deal with the passenger side.

I don't have any ideas there.

 

[Magmotor]

Here's a cpl of views that might help you out to locate the latch.

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks for all of the help. I am still unable to get it with the tool that I fashioned as per the earlier instructions.

I will wait until I get the tool in from Eckler's and then take it back to the dealer.

I have another bone to pick there. They did not replace the hood release handle access plate correctly and it is broken. Small pieces of black plastic are on my carpet and I can see where the plastic is broken where they replaced one of the retainer screws. The other screws are on the floor.

I'm going to talk with the General Manager about that one. There seems to be a lack of concern at the dealership. I had to ask a service writer for a glass cleaner when I picked the car up. They had left such greasy hand prints on the driver side windshield that I couldn't see ahead of me. That is not to mention the black hand marks on my white hood.

That lack of detail along with the broken parts really concerns me.

Thanks again.

 

[Magmotor]

wow....I take that back what I said about the mechanics then...go ahead and 'ream steam and dry clean their @ss'.....
The only other is too take it to a Locksmith that specializes in opening locked vehicles. You wouldn't believe the tools they have for suck occasions. ( I know because I did that for a while) They are very apt at feeling in the dark. Show him the pics, give him the diminsions and I'm sure he/she can pop em open.

At any rate let us know the 'end of this story'. A good lesson for all but unfourtunely a bad one that fell on you.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Dealership

I don't know if I would even deal with such a shoddy Dealership. Most Dealers are very meticulious about cleaning up after themselves. I would wonder about them after what you said about the way they didn't have a clue as to how to get into it anyway.

Magmotor has a good point there. You would not believe how quick those locksmiths can get into something. Oh you may want to get a set of the retainer clips so you can replace them when you get it opened.

Good Luck

 

[Bonnell]

Excellent thought! I'll try the locksmith if the dealer can't get it open. I intend to talk with the GM. They can't say that I broke the thing - they are the ones working on it.

I'll let you know how it comes out.

 

[Bonnell]

I received the tool that I purchased from Eckler's and I was in in five minutes.

The broken part is a small clip that holds the cable on the latch. Now I will try to determine if the clip is part of the latch or part of the cable kit. I don't want to be charged for both.

Thanks for all of the help.

 

[Magmotor]

Excellent...!!! Was the tool, that much different in design than the one I said to make or was it the technique of getting to it, was different....? at any rate a handy tool to have....

 

[Bonnell]

The tool was almost identical to the one that you had me make. It is a little heavier gauge material but very close. I think that it was pure luck that I got the hood open with this tool. I use the weedeater line to open the hood now. Tomorrow I go back into Little Rock to have the dealer replace the cable and fix the parts that they broke.

I took my car to an auto A/C shop this morning and they added a little freon (he said about 1/4lb) and only charged me $44. The chevy dealer charged the system in November and charged me $138!(?)

Thanks again for the help.

J

 

[Magmotor]

I have another suggestion to make. Find the nearest Corvette Club and ask around in your area for good mechanics. Chevy Dealers aren't the last resort for a repair on these cars. Especially your Dealer.... I just had a mechanic come to my driveway, replace the alternator, netural switch, LH 6way pwr seat switch, valve cover gaskets & time the car all for $225. And did an excellent job..:s

Moral of your story should be: take that Chevy Dealer off your list..!!

 

[Hrtbeat1]

LH as in driver's switch?

Magmotor sorry to get off the subject .... but this guy found a driver's 6 way switch? You gotta get in touch with me. I gotta find this guy 'cos I can't find that switch anywhere.

rgstrick@hotmail.com

 

[Bonnell]

These guys are off of my list. I grew up in Fairhope, AL and lived in Mobile until '94. If I were still there, I'd drive over to Biloxi to use your mechanic.

I intend to join a local club (if I can find one - the central Arkansas area is not very big). Hopefully, I can get some help finding a good mechanic.

Thanks,

J

 

[Magmotor]

Go to the top of this page and click on 'Gallery' Look at the left side and click on 'clubs & organizations' Look under ' Clubs'...click on 'United States'...look under 'Arkansas'...you'll find 3 fairly large clubs.....good luck too ya..!!

 

[Bonnell]

Thanks for everything!

 

[Bonnell]

I returned to the dealer and after an hour, they informed me that the part (hood release latch) did not come in. The broken part was a small clip that holds the hood release cable onto the hood replease latch.

They tell me that the clip is part of the latch assembly. They fashioned a replacement that seems to work ok but I'd like to find the original clip and order one just in case.

Does anyone know where I might find the clip rather than the entire latch assembly?

 

[Magmotor]

Corvette Central

Part: #464098

$1.50 ea

 

[Bonnell]

Tremendous! Thanks, I am going to order several. I attempted to open the hood and it would not open (I did not think to test it befroe I drove away from the dealer).

I used the tool that I bought, opened the hood, used a wire to secure the cable to the latch mechanism, adjusted but cables, and all is well - for now.

Once I get the clips, I'll replace the broken one and I will be good to go.

Thanks,

J

 

[Redbob]

Hey y'all:
This sounds like so much fun, I think I'm going down to Home Depot, get me a brass rod, bend it up as recommended, and practice on my hood BEFORE the cable breaks!
So I'll know how when it does.

BTW, that "Corvette wave" thing: used to be ALL sportscar owners waved like that to each other.
Try doing it next time you see a "Porsch-uh" - really freaks 'em out!

- R

 

[Bonnell]

Not a bad idea! I took photos with a digital camera so that I would have them next time. I took the photos with the tool in place so that I could gauge where I should locate the tool.

 

[T.M.808]

Next time just change your own oil an filter,lol.. look what eneded up happening..lol
Learn how to work on the car,it's not rocket science. I'm not a mechanic,i have an 89 and had a 99,both slammed,i heavily modified the 99,and minior modded my 89 so far,never took either car to the dealer in the 10 years. I did have to take the c5 to the tunner after the engine mods though. I only leaned how to scan ECM's so far,need to learn how to tune now..
Good luck