Battery dead, hood won't open - I'M STUCK

[Andy82GT]

Guys, help needed. Battery died, went to jump start, and appears my hood release cable broke or came loose. @#$%&!
I have found one post (but no pics) somewhat describing how to release from under car, but Modern Performance Intercooler and pipes make it very difficult to see or reach up to latch. I've loosened radiator and condenser bottom bolts, and IC brackets for more wiggle room, but still too tight.Was going to remove IC completely, but hose clamps are clocked for easier above access, almost impossible to undo from below.

Please post pics of your hood latch mechanism - bottom, back and top view - and description of how mechanism works (release direction) so I can figure out a better plan of attack. THANKS!

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

I had this problem. Seems the release cable had stretched a little over the last 30+ years and popped off. After searching and reading about people reaching up from underneath the car, or using some type of object to poke around at the latch I figured I would be able to do it no problem. I tried for days with no luck. I even had the hood open on the 89 car for reference, and I have really long skinny arms lol. I just couldn't get through the radiator shroud opening, up and around (towards front of car) enough to touch the latch. I think I could have done it on the 89 with slim fan and shorty rad but not with the stock setup. I ended up destroying the grill (wasn't original anyway) to get access. Then made sure I added a small zip tie to the cable to prevent this from ever happening again.

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

If the car is just too nice to damage the grill, I'd look into getting a low cost diagnosis camera from harbor freight and some kind of plastic pry tool or other object you can bend or cut to the shape you need. Maybe someone else here can post a pic of the latch.

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

Now that I look at it I feel dumb for having so much trouble getting to the latch from below. In my defense the car is lowered, and I didn't want to jack it up since the ground was soft and getting crunched didn't sound fun. Also I was looking at the modified car and must have thought I needed to go up the front of the radiator which is impossible with a full size radiator. Get the car up on jack stands, then feel for the water pump pulley. Directly across and up slightly from that pulley is the latch. Feel for that rectangular cut out section that contains the latch. Hope this helps!

[Andy82GT]

Hey Andy thanks for the assist! I am about to try and drop IC out for more access. Could you please snap a closer straight in pic at that cutout?
And I take it the latch lever is on the right, and I push to the left?

[Andy82GT]

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM ... tIsFt-f4iV

[Andy82GT]

[Andy82GT]

Pic is looking up between radiator and condenser. There appears to be a lever inside the cutout. Is this for the latch? If I push left will it open?

[Andy82GT]

I will have to get a long thin piece of metal to reach. If that is not it, I will have to drop IC and see if I can get my arm up.

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

The part inside that cutout section is the end of the cable. If you squeeze the two parts together or just push the end (part I zip tied) towards the drivers side of the car it will open. You should be able to get your arm in the space between the engine block and the radiator. There shouldn't be the condenser or intercooler in the way. Possibly some intercooler piping will be in the way. Maybe if a second person pulls on the release lever for you then you'd be able to feel the cable moving. If you can get your hand or a tool a few inches above the water pump pulley and a few inches towards the front of the car you should be right where you need to be.

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

Here's a closer shot of it.

[Andy82GT]

Okay, going to try again... thanks man!

[Andy82GT]

Loosened IC brackets, but cant get hoses loose! With IC loosened, tried shoving arm up again from both sides, but still can't reach the center.
Stuck a long flat metal bar up into the cutout seen here, tried prying the piece to the left but no go. Does anyone know if this is even the release lever? If it is, I will fab up a tool tomorrow and try prying on it again.

[Andy82GT]

Okay, that appears to be the secondary latch hook that is visible there, so no joy. I will try tomorrow to see if I can reach back up with a long screwdriver and "feel" my way to the latch.

[Andy82GT]

Back spasms last night and today. Will re-attempt tomorrow?