YACT - Can't get hood open

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IndieSnob

Golden Member
Jul 7, 2001
1,340
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Ok, so yesterday I left my keys in my 96 Oldsmobile, and had to go to the dealership to have a new door key to work, after realising the spares I had made were both engine keys (thanks key makin jerk). I had left the power on in the car when I locked myself out, so of course today the batter has no charge and I can't start it, but no problem, I can just jumpstart it. WRONG. Two weeks after I had bought this car, the threading on the pulley for the hood handle broke out of the handle, so I had to use pliars to pull on the guidewire. I try to open the hood today to jump the car, and noticed the guidewire has completely threaded out of there. I don't want to nick my hood to crap, so I'm looking for any suggestions for trying to get the darn thing going. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
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Ranger X

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
11,218
1
0
OMG this reminds me of the time I had my oil changed at Econo Lube 'N Tube. Biggest mistake ever! They broke my hood so it wouldn't open. I took it to the shop and they had to break the grill in front of my car to get to the hood from the inside. Another alternative was to drill a hole in the side of my car, which I quickly declined. :)

Oil change = $20
Fixing the hood = $250
---

Total for oil change = $270 (the most expensive oil change EVAR!) :(
 
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DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Originally posted by: Ranger X
OMG this reminds me of the time I had my oil changed at Econo Lube 'N Tube. Biggest mistake ever! They broke my hood so it wouldn't open. I took it to the shop and they had to break the grill in front of my car to get to the hood from the inside. Another alternative was to drill a hole in the side of my car, which I quickly declined. :)

Oil change = $20
Fixing the hood = $250
---

Total for oil change = $270 (the most expensive oil change EVAR!) :(
Click to expand...

I don't get why you didn't make the oil change place have it fixed? I mean obviously they can't tell you it didn't open before you brought it by...
 
R

Ranger X

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
11,218
1
0
Originally posted by: DaiShan
Originally posted by: Ranger X
OMG this reminds me of the time I had my oil changed at Econo Lube 'N Tube. Biggest mistake ever! They broke my hood so it wouldn't open. I took it to the shop and they had to break the grill in front of my car to get to the hood from the inside. Another alternative was to drill a hole in the side of my car, which I quickly declined. :)

Oil change = $20
Fixing the hood = $250
---

Total for oil change = $270 (the most expensive oil change EVAR!) :(
Click to expand...

I don't get why you didn't make the oil change place have it fixed? I mean obviously they can't tell you it didn't open before you brought it by...
Click to expand...
That's because I didn't open by hood until my coolant was low, which was at least 2 months after the oil change. I couldn't have prove anything had I gone to them and bitched.
 
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Bootprint

Diamond Member
Jan 11, 2002
9,847
0
0
Get it towed to do the Mexican border, I'm pretty sure you can find someone to fit up into the engine compartment to open the hood from inside.
 
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Ranger X

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
11,218
1
0
Originally posted by: Bootprint
Get it towed to do the Mexican border, I'm pretty sure you can find someone to fit up into the engine compartment to open the hood from inside.
Click to expand...
LOL. It's too bad they'll stay there until you're safely on American soil.
 
PingSpike

PingSpike

Lifer
Feb 25, 2004
21,756
600
126
Just get full insurance coverage, douse it with gasoline and burn it. Then claim that gangbangers did it and collect your $750 of insurance money.
 
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Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
2
0
I guess I'll throw out a serious answer... :)

You can either go through the grille and get to the latch, or there's a (remote) chance that you can go from underneath. Either way, it's not going to be easy.
 
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IndieSnob

Golden Member
Jul 7, 2001
1,340
0
0
Originally posted by: Wingznut
I guess I'll throw out a serious answer... :)

You can either go through the grille and get to the latch, or there's a (remote) chance that you can go from underneath. Either way, it's not going to be easy.
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Yeah, just walked down to local mechanic, and he said I could try through the grille (and there is a big enough opening, now it's just a matter of trial and error) or going underneath. Now my next problem is trying to find a friend with AAA for a free tow or begging for money from family.
 
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raanemaan

Golden Member
Feb 14, 2004
1,774
0
0
They make a jumper set that goes from cigarette lighter to cigarette lighter to charge a battery. This doesn't fix the hood but it will get your car running
 
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IndieSnob

Golden Member
Jul 7, 2001
1,340
0
0
Originally posted by: raanemaan
They make a jumper set that goes from cigarette lighter to cigarette lighter to charge a battery. This doesn't fix the hood but it will get your car running
Click to expand...


Would you happen to know where I could find these and an estimate of what it would cost? I looked through Napa's site and found nada. Thanks again everyone for the suggestions.
 
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IndieSnob

Golden Member
Jul 7, 2001
1,340
0
0
Called Napa, they had one of the cigarette light adatper chargers, but wanted $149. Screw that noise!
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,544
924
126
You might be able to fish around in there with a flashlight and a pair of pliers to release it yourself. I seem to recall having to do this a few times on one of my cars many years ago.
 
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