hood release

HONDA CIVIC
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MUSTANG
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1998 Honda Civic, how to access hood release cable from outside the car.
Nov 28, 2006 at 8:03 PM
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BRUCE HUNT
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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 9:44 PM
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MUSTANG
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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 10:07 PM
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BRUCE HUNT
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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 29, 2006 at 7:05 AM
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MUSTANG
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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 29, 2006 at 7:48 AM
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MUSTANG
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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 9:40 PM