My 1990 Cutlass Cruiser wagon has a hood release handle by my left knee in the driver's seat. Yesterday I pulled the handle to release the lock on the hood, and the wire broke. I can't release the main hood lock. Getting under the engine, I am able to release the secondary lock, but I can't get at the main lock. Do I have to remove the grill to get at it? Please and thanks for your advice!

Phil Brown
Libertyville IL
pmb1267@gmail.com

 

How much wire was attached to the handle when it pulled loose?

 

Hi Professur:

I have no idea how much wire was affected. I pulled the handle by my knee, and it just came loose. I have not attempted to pull any further. All I know is, the release is no longer working, and I am locked out of my engine compartment. At this point, I am wondering how to open the hood. Do you have a suggestion?

Please and thanks,

Phil Brown
pmb1267@gmail.com

 

I ask because the cable is one piece, from handle to the end where it attaches to the latch. If it's just the handle that's pulled loose, you can try and cut the cable jacket back and pull the cable with a pair of pliers. If the other end broke loose, you'll want to bend a piece of steel rod, maybe an old coat hanger, and go fishing.

 

Merci Professur! I guess I will be fishing. The break is somewhere along the line, perhaps at the hood end.

Phil Brown.

 

NP. Hunt through your underhood photos to see if you've by change managed to capture where it pulls. The service manual is unusually unhelpful on this issue, and the internet seems devoid of pictures. I've had to do it a few times, and it's different every time ... but it's not usually too tricky. You just want to find where the cable was attached. The hardest ones are when the cable pulls over the top of the core support. Push down on the hood when you trigger it so you're not fighting the spring tension.

 

Thank you. I'll let you know how it goes!