1998 Honda Civic, how to access hood release cable from outside the car.
Nov 28, 2006 at 12:03 PM
1998 Honda Civic Hood Won't Release
MUSTANG
- MEMBER
- 4 POSTS
First tell me why and where you obviously think the cable broke at. Did it break and was it at the lever in the car or somewhere along the way? This is a bear to work on. I would guess that taking off the plastic shroud under the front of the car will allow a possible access up along the radiator. If you can't reach the locking mech, you might be able to catch the hood release cable.
Nov 28, 2006 at 1:44 PM
Bruce thanks for the reply. It seems like the cable has stretched and there is some corrosion in the release lever. I posed this question to some friends in the auto body repair business and they suggested to remove the left headlight assembly to access the cable. I will spray it with Rust Buster before I pull on the cable.
Nov 28, 2006 at 2:07 PM
I doubt you'll have luck with pulling the headlight assembly unless you wish to take it out in pieces. It helps if you put the car up on ramps if you decide to go in for sneak attack on the latch assembly. Probably a good two person job.
Nov 28, 2006 at 11:05 PM
You are right, there is no way to remove the headlight without the hood open. I sprayed the latch assembly with Rust Buster and I will try to open it later.
Nov 28, 2006 at 11:48 PM
I removed the center of the grill and then the latch assembly. It was rusted and no amount of pulling on the cable would have released it. I sprayed it with PB blalster and finally got it off, cleaned it up, lubed it and replaced it. Just like new. Thanks for the help.
Nov 30, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Suggested Repair
The headlight cannot be removed with the hood closed. Raise the car on ramps if needed and access the latch from below after removing the underbody shroud, or remove the center of the grille to reach the latch. The latch was seized by rust, so free it with penetrating oil, then clean, lubricate, and reinstall it.
Conversation Summary
A 1998 Honda Civic owner could not open the hood because the release cable had stretched and the latch was corroded. An expert suggested accessing the cable or latch from underneath after removing the front plastic shroud, preferably with the car on ramps and a helper. Removing the headlight was not possible with the hood closed. The owner removed the grille center and the rusted latch, freed it with penetrating oil, then cleaned, lubricated, and reinstalled it.