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Stupid Hood Lockout

Pontiacmaster81

Pontiacmaster81

New member
So I was working on changing my Driver side front Strut after getting into a snow storm accident and my Hood some how closed completely on me, Luckily my fingers were near my Lower Control arm and Rotor. I went inside the cabin to unlock the hood. The lever has tension but it will not release the latch. I tried taking a long screwdriver but my hood is rubbing on my bumper cover. No way of getting anything smaller then a clothes hanger wire, which I tried and failed. Tried my grill but they are solid as well as underneath my front as I jacked it up. Anyone have any advice on helping me. I can't get my new strut on due to the three screws inside the engine bay
 


The thing is the release level inside the car only moves half an inch. It shows it has tension so I know the cable is not busted or broken and I had someone bang on my hood why I tried the level with no prevail. Can't stick fingers or anything smaller then a wire underneath the hood which is not working.
 
dont your grills unscrew on from the out side? if so pull one off, use a screw driver to turn the lock part of the latch.
 
It's also snowing hardcore here in WNY so I don't know if it's frozen or not. Maybe i'll try dumping some hot water near the release latch tomorrow and see
 


if you put the grills in you should know if the screws that hold them in are on the outside or the inside. if on the outside its a cake walk.
 
*Update*

I went outside in this 11 degree weather to do more tinkering with my hood

I undid the cover near the Cabin Lever and pulled the carpet out to see if the cable was snapped--- No luck Which is a good thing

Went outside to the grill and pulled on that cable as seen in my video I posted. I pulled it hard and I mean hard.. No luck
Tried sticking a longer screwdriver and a long 14mm wrench and grabbed the latch release... No luck

Looked underneath and got a surprise waiting for me

3 small puddles of what looked and smelled like Oil near the Driver side Lower arm and Rack
1 of these small puddles dripped every 30 seconds

So nothing I can do unless I take a saw and pry this hood off. Garages around here won't send a tow just for a hood So running out of options here
 
if you get under the car cant you see right up to the lock? then stick a screw driver in the part where the cable pules, turn it, the latch should open.
 
Thanks Scotty,

I would have to jack the thing up, in order to do anything. WNY weather right now is getting terrible by the minute. I called a garage they might send someone out tomorrow to see if they can get the latch open..

What you think these puddles could be.. I really hope it's not the Power steering rack, heard nightmare stories about installation.
 


steady drip car off could be the pump rack or lines. you'll have to get under it and get a better look. check the p/s fluid level too. if its low its a leaking.
 
nah, just stick your hand back there and un cap it.

you can see the cap in the far left.

waterpumpnew.jpg~original
 


Is it a dipstick type or do I have to see how much is in there. The drips are near the driver tire side but i'll double check the P/S fluid anyways
 
Thanks. Gave me some great pointers on what to look for tomorrow. Weather permitting I can get it towed and have them install that strut and tell them to check for leaks..
 
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