FD hood release broke (it's not unusual)
10-12-14, 02:19 PM
#1
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
FD hood release broke (it's not unusual)
I was getting the car rustproofed yesterday and they told me the hood release wasn't working. They were right – there was no tension when I pulled the hood release latch under the dash.
When I got home, I looked up the various fixing threads... seems to be a bunch of suggestions:
1) pry the hood up to snake in a coat hanger thingy
2) turn the headlights up and remove the driver-side turn signal light to snake in a coat hanger thingy
3) remove the bumper and snake in a coat hanger thingy (sounds difficult)
People also suggest attaching a wire to the release latch, routing elsewhere under the car (accessibly) in case it happens again.
I've sent an email to Mazmark Auto to get it fixed. I gather this is a fairly common occurrence when the car gets to this age (also because of the cheap plastic bit at the end of the cable that probably broke).
When I got home, I looked up the various fixing threads... seems to be a bunch of suggestions:
1) pry the hood up to snake in a coat hanger thingy
2) turn the headlights up and remove the driver-side turn signal light to snake in a coat hanger thingy
3) remove the bumper and snake in a coat hanger thingy (sounds difficult)
People also suggest attaching a wire to the release latch, routing elsewhere under the car (accessibly) in case it happens again.
I've sent an email to Mazmark Auto to get it fixed. I gather this is a fairly common occurrence when the car gets to this age (also because of the cheap plastic bit at the end of the cable that probably broke).
10-12-14, 08:57 PM
#2
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (4)
I had this problem last year.
The cable didn't break. It just came out of its holder on the latch.
I snuck in the coat hanger and managed to pull the specific point on the latch. Can't really describe it but it's pretty easy.
I managed to place the cable end back in the latch and made sure it wouldn't come back ou .
The cable didn't break. It just came out of its holder on the latch.
I snuck in the coat hanger and managed to pull the specific point on the latch. Can't really describe it but it's pretty easy.
I managed to place the cable end back in the latch and made sure it wouldn't come back ou .
10-13-14, 12:22 AM
#3
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Thanks!
I'll get a flashlight and take a look around. That sounds easier than what the other guys went through.
I'll get a flashlight and take a look around. That sounds easier than what the other guys went through.
10-13-14, 01:26 AM
#4
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (4)
Yeah, I was thinking the worst too. But the release latch wouldn't put crazy strain on a steel line like we have on our cars.
When I popped the hood, you could clearly see the cable was intact. Just managed to sneak out of the latch holder.
Slipped it back in and made sure it wouldn't creep out of the hole. She's been normal ever since.
The hardest thing to do was getting the coat hanger to fit between the hood and the bumper without damaging the paint on either side.
Take your time and if you can, have another FD friend come around so you can take a look at how the latch works. It will save you some time when you attempt to get yours open.
Took me about 10min of trial and error before I found the right position to place the hanger hook on the right spot.
When I popped the hood, you could clearly see the cable was intact. Just managed to sneak out of the latch holder.
Slipped it back in and made sure it wouldn't creep out of the hole. She's been normal ever since.
The hardest thing to do was getting the coat hanger to fit between the hood and the bumper without damaging the paint on either side.
Take your time and if you can, have another FD friend come around so you can take a look at how the latch works. It will save you some time when you attempt to get yours open.
Took me about 10min of trial and error before I found the right position to place the hanger hook on the right spot.
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