Tricks to getting a hood open

[pureinsanity]

My boss has a Olds Bravada. He went out of town for two weeks and when he came back he couldn't get the hook open. Finally after trying he finally got it. Today he asked me about a burning smell and said last time he smelt that his belt broke. I told him to pop the hood and inspect the belt. Well it wont release. I can tell the cable is stretched out and most likely needs a new one or else something came disconnected. Is there a way to get the hook open with out the cable?

[TravP]

Hammer

[leech~~]

Try and pull on the handle in the car while at the same time pound on the corner of the hood reaching across through the open driver door. I had to use this little trick on my old Blazer a few times. Some how it would jar it enough by pounding on one corner to pop it loose! Good Luck.

[Macgyver55]

You can also push down on the hood while he pulls on the release, that will take pressure off the latch and may help. Then, lift on the hood after doing that and it hopefully should release with some effort. If/when you get it open, dont close it again until you generously spray the latch with WD40 (or similar) and work it until free.

Never use oil or grease on hood latches as it will collect dirt and cause binding. A regular shot of WD40 at every oil change keeps them working like new indefinitely.

[leech~~]

Well don't leave us hanging. Did you get the d&m thing open and how?

[Jeremy airjer W]

The usual GM hood opening technique. Pull the lever with your right hand while smacking the hood with your left. About 80% of them have to be opened this way at the shop!

[Scott K]

The usual GM hood opening technique. Pull the lever with your right hand while smacking the hood with your left. About 80% of them have to be opened this way at the shop!

Or just the comment to the person walking by "hey, smack that wouldya"

[leech~~]

The usual GM hood opening technique. Pull the lever with your right hand while smacking the hood with your left. About 80% of them have to be opened this way at the shop!

Is there an Echo in here? Read 3 posts up!

[pureinsanity]

I will tell him to try that, however, the cable seems like it is stretched out. I've already smacked it a few times but not hard after all it was the boss watching me, and as well as push it down while he pulled the lever.

[Scott K]

You can get onto the cable from the handle, and pull the cable a little more with a needle nose.

[Powerstroke]

You can get onto the cable from the handle, and pull the cable a little more with a needle nose.

DOne this one many times too, especially after the handle broke.

[Macgyver55]

And it could all be avoided with a little shot of WD-40 once or twice a year. Every car I service gets it and they always work fine.....

[pureinsanity]

He tried pulling on the cable with his fingers but he must have girly hands. I got in there and pulled the cable while smashing my finger in the hood latch and we got it open. I told him to lube it up.

His belt looks fine, but something someplace is rubbing and causing him to have a smelling rubber smell. The top of his hood has rubber on it and some of the hoses has bits and pieces of rubber as well...

Any ideas? I inspected the belt and it appears to be in great shape