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As some of you have read, I suffered from a premature hood closure event - before I'd replaced the cable housing clamp, the very last part to be re-installed on my intake refresh adventure.
I removed the release mechanism in the footwell, and gave both the cable and the housing a good yank. Didn't work, even with someone pushing down on the latch area to reduce the friction. I didn't want to pull so hard I might strangle something in the nether places of the cable run.
I searched for a solution, and Bertrand provided me with some links. Most suggested I could reach up from below, through the grill, and access the latch. I don't have big hands - no jokes please - but I couldn't get past the grill.
I'll just have to remove the chin spoiler, I thought. Big mistake - didn't reveal any access at all, and it is pure misery putting it back on. In the process, though, I removed the fender liners. The cable runs right through there.
I put a clamp on the cable in the footwell, set against the housing, then gave the housing a yank at the front, where it enters the radiator area. Pop. Success. Why, oh why, did I remove the chin spoiler rather than try this first?
The question, or the warning - I'm not sure which - is that it sure seems impossible to access the hood latch if the cable were to come loose there. There is a plastic bulkhead/fairing below the latch, closing off access from below. Flimsy, but not in an easy place to dislodge or break off. Using a coat hanger from the wheel well would be futile.
If true, and your car is like mine, then give your cable a good look, right now.
I just went through this today, I took off the bracket holding down the cable so I could remove the oxidation, and mistakingly closed the hood. First thing I did was reach under the car and thank the lord was able to pull the latch and open the hood.
I also had a very recent hood opening issue. Had pulled the Hood off and not put it back in proper alignment. Adjusted it but had it too far forward and pushed it closed. It would not release after this. After poking around I pulled the plastic shroud right above the louvers and used a very long screwdriver to push the spring latch open from below. Obviously got it right the second time!
... I pulled the plastic shroud right above the louvers and used a very long screwdriver to push the spring latch open from below. ...
Can you elaborate on how you pulled the shroud? Did you need two hands on the screwdriver?
In my case, I did one iteration on the hinges to line up the latch pin, expecting that a few more might be required. But the alignment was so good that the hood dropped right down without any force - surprise!
On mine there is a small hole in the shroud. I put a hooked pick in there and gently pulled down. Once you pull it down a bit the shroud released from the lip in the spoiler, and you can use your fingers to pull it away to expose the underside of the latch. Then after it just gets pushed back above that lip.
On my 91 S4 at least, opening the hood from underneath is worryingly easy, and I got pretty fast at it before replacement hood cable arrived (it had broken off at the eyelet through which pin of pull handle locates).
Only thin plastic louvred in the way like a Venetian blind. Just need long screwdriver and flashlight to see what you're doing.
Thanks. I'll check mine for a hole, and if it doesn't have one, I'll drill one. Since my hands won't go in there, perhaps I'll hang a cord from the hole, and also bend a rod to fit up into the latch.
I'm puzzled that others can get their hands in there, but not me. Could there be different grills?
A friend, who shall remain nameless because quite a few of you know him from his time on here, now has a very nice Audi A8. The hood cable broke, and he took it to the dealer. Parts cost about $1100, total cost close to $2400.
It appears that there were more problems than just a broken cable. Parts had to be replaced that were welded to the aluminum hood...
It's possible I've just been way off in where I thought I had to get underneath. Have my 3D perceptual skills declined? Bertrand's photos show me the access is much closer to the nose. I've moved the car into my brother-in-law's garage across the road and covered it up, so I won't be checking for a while. I may have to issue a big "never mind" to all of this.
I will share this irrelevant hood latch story. The cable broke on my '86 Saab 9000, but it was easy to open it with a simple swipe of a screwdriver. Though I loved Saabs, my experiences with Saab mechanics had become very poor; I'll spare you the details. Rather than be passive about it, I scheduled a meeting with the Sales and Service Managers at my local dealer, when I brought my car in for some minor stuff. I began by saying "I'd like to buy another Saab some day, but I can't get good service. What can we do about that?"
At that moment, my "service advisor" (a misnomer) barged in and said they were stymied by the broken hood latch. They'd have to fix it to get in to do the other work. I said "Oh, it just takes a screwdriver." She said "Can you show us how?"
I looked at the two managers, who were smart enough to understand the multi-level irony and foolishness. They looked defeated. The conversation was over.
I now own a Saab again, but I'll do my own work on it, thank you very much.
03-19-2016, 10:15 PM
Hood latch misadventure
