fongyz22

When I first bought this civic (2001 ex 5-speed), the hood didn't want to CLOSE completely. When it was closed, the hood release lever had to be pulled ALL the way passed it's normal point to release the hood. The hood latch that locks down the hood was not in the correct position and was hammered into position by a friend. Now the hood doesn't want to open even when I pull the latch all the way out....can anyone help me ? Do I need to buy a new cable / complete hood latch + cable? Also, my bro in law said that I can just take apart the cover and pull the cable via a vice grip to open the hood?? I kinda need it to open soon as I am adding some stuff under the hood... thanks!

1llmatic

vice grip will work temporarily but sounds like your cable is kinked or stretched because of the hammer adjustment. I would recommend fixing it soon just in case the cable breaks then it'll be near impossible to open the hood.

fongyz22

okay, thanks a bunch man! will place an order for a new part very soon!

fongyz22

New part just came in today....problem is....i can't open hood...cable seems to have become loose where the cable hooks onto the latch / spring. I searched the older civics thread, and there was a post on a few ways how to open the hood, but I don't know if they will work for these newer civics. Anyone have any idea / suggestion how to open a hood without the cable+latch? Really need to get under hood... :X

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Have you tried removing the panel around the Hood Release arm, and getting at the cable itself?

fongyz22

yup, i have the cable dangling next to the clutch pedal, don't want to pull really hard cuz the cable might snap so i tried pulling to a point where the cable was coming out of the wall....had someone pull while i looked underneath the car and the cable still tightens up, so it's gotta be something near the latch / hook.

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

I, personally, would take it to a shop and have them look at it.

fongyz22

Would it be possible to somehow pry open the hood? Or would I damage the hook from the hood itself and not the latch....also...any help with diagram on how to assemble the latch to the cable would be appreciated! If all else fails, I'll try to find a shop near campus....I'm stuck here in the middle of nowhere...so gotta drive 50 miles to see if there's any chance of an import shop

thinknology

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by toyomatt84 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I, personally, would take it to a shop and have them look at it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I bet you wouldn't if it was your car

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fongyz22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Would it be possible to somehow pry open the hood? Or would I damage the hook from the hood itself and not the latch....also...any help with diagram on how to assemble the latch to the cable would be appreciated! If all else fails, I'll try to find a shop near campus....I'm stuck here in the middle of nowhere...so gotta drive 50 miles to see if there's any chance of an import shop </TD></TR></TABLE>

I wouldn't pry it open bud... that's what they do at accidents and your engine is on fire (buddy tells me funny stories about hoods and "spud bars" lol), you pry it open and you WILL damage something...

I never looked at mine and I'm in the office right now but is there no way to get to the latch mechanism??? I can't remember exactly how it is.

I know I had to reach up through the bumber on a cavalier to open it... but for some reason I'm thinking the latch in ours is completely guarded???

fongyz22

okay took awhile to reply, but here are the pics of the new parts waiting to be installed....










I do have the cable but it's not connected, cuz....yeah.. but i think the hood not opening could be a result of the cable not being attached properly to the latch part in image #4... the black "C" hook to the metal "C" hook.. but then again, the other photos might show how/ where the release latch is, but question is....how do I get to it from underneath car bypassing the radiator mount? or ... some other way...

Any ideas??


Modified by fongyz22 at 2:24 PM 9/29/2007