My 97 LX450 hood won't release. Pulled the lever under dash and cable came out but hood wouldn't open. Can't seem to get at release mechanism near rad. Can't remove grill because 2 screws come down from under hood! How can I get the hood open to see what's needed on latch?? Cable is not broker by lever under dash?? Please help! can't get hood open. Thanks!
Hood release help?? Please!
- Thread starter Ed Purmals
- Start date
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Have a helper put some reassure on the hood with a screw driver wrapped in a towel by pushing up on the hood while you pull the latch.
- Thread starter
- #3
Nothing happens when I pull the latch! I help the find a link or an answer on how to get the hood open not relying on the cable? Is there a trick to getting the grill out so I can get at the latch and unbolt it?
The LX's have a theft proof cover over the latch. I couldn't find anyway to get in. If you say nothing happens, did your cable break? If so look for it under the dash and see if you can grab it with a pair of pliers.
The same happened to me, I was able to see the bolts from under the 80 and use a long handle ratchet with maxx access sockets and a flat breaker bar sold at sears for belts replacement. I took hours just turning the bolts a little by little, all but one was able to remove. The last one got lose enough to lift the hood a couple of inches with the latch still attached, enough to fit a nut driver and finish the removal. Just be patient it can be done.
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- Thread starter
- #6
Hi Scott, Thanks but the cable isn't broken under the dash??
Want to get the hood open so I can get to the latch and see what's up.
Can't get the grill out without the hood up.
Any ideas or can you send me a link of the mechanism and I can figure out something. I'm a mechanic and pretty handy but can't see the latch.
Want to get the hood open so I can get to the latch and see what's up.
Can't get the grill out without the hood up.
Any ideas or can you send me a link of the mechanism and I can figure out something. I'm a mechanic and pretty handy but can't see the latch.
I am not sure I have any pics, did you try using a few extensions wedged between the floor and the release handle and then go to the hood and push down and pull up? That's how I finally got mine open. I couldn't hear it unlatch or anything I thought it was stuck too but this worked.
- Thread starter
- #8
thanks Scott, I'll give it a try in the morning. Raining and dark out right now. thanks again
when it happened to me I had to pry the latch case open from the back. it's really theft proof. PITA. finally after at least an hour with my arms wedged into places they shouldn't be I was able to reach the place the cable attached and popped it open. my cable broke right there in the latch. it was way worse than the PHH. good luck.
