1989 hood release is stuck

[richreed]

The hood release cable works fine, I can feel it pull all the way to the stop. However, the latch at the hood end doesn't seem to move. I suspect rust or corrosion; the truck's been sitting a while. The safety latch under the hood is working, or it would ifthe hood release did. Any ideas on releasing the stuck hood?

 

[Curious Hound]

Get someone to push down on the hood while you release it. Then check the little bumpers at the front corners. They might be too high, putting pressure on the hood so that the latch won't move normally.

 

[gw33gp]

The hood on my 02 did that and I had to have someone lift on it while I pulled the release. The stops were not providing enough tension to pop it up. Adjusting the stops up solved the problem.

Your 89 may have a spring that pushes it up.

 

[Dirtman]

Also try cursing at it....

You can usually open it by getting in there with a long screw driver and manually popping the primary latch. Then once the hood is up like said check the bump stops.

 

[rebuild83]

The hood on my 02 did that and I had to have someone lift on it while I pulled the release. The stops were not providing enough tension to pop it up. Adjusting the stops up solved the problem.

Your 89 may have a spring that pushes it up.

It might also be that you have a stretched cable which can happen. Worse case you may need to cut the grill to release the hood

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I cant remember exactly what year, but a 1/4" drive,a couple longer extension, and a universal with appropriate socket has removed the bolts holding the latch to the rad mount.
Then you can release the latch from the hook and attach properly.

 

[Fast Eddie]

For me, it was a broken spring. Getting someone to lift while I pulled the release worked in that scenario. The spring 'pops' the hood once the latch clears the hook.