My kid broke her hood release cable.

[ogradda]

Well actually my son broke it for her. Apparently you pull on this thing in the car to unlatch the hood... now it's broke and she can't get under her hood. It's a 1991 Lumina Chevrolet - does anyone know how she can work the latch to release her hood without using the cable release?

[Droopy]

1. You may be able to pull on the cable

with a pair of plyers. Other than that I'd have to take the car to see the GM Goodwrench guy.

[benburch]

2. Usually you can reach up under the car and reach the little lever...

The release cable merely pulls on a little lever on the latch. Use a bright flashlight to find it and you can then pull it by hand or with a grasping tool. Often, once you know where it is, you can reach the latch with a long wide-bladed screwdriver through the grille. If cosmetics are no longer important in such an old car, you can break out some of the grille's plastic to make this easier.

[ogradda]

3. Thanks you guys :)

I'm printing the advice for her. She has been in tears - it's an oil and water guzzler and she needs the hood open. Thank you!:hug:

[benburch]

4. If you have a friendly mechanic...

He can likely show you how to get it open and eliminate the guesswork.

[ogradda]

5. Sadly, she is fighting

with her "mechanic" right now. :)

[benburch]

6. It is possible...

They know those cables break, and need a way to open then in the shop to fix it, so don't give up. You could also ask the local Chevy dealer to show you how to open it. They should do this just for the goodwill.

[ogradda]

7. Another excellent idea!

If none of the other ones work tomorrow I'll have her do that.

[benburch]

8. How did it go? nt