The hood of a car that uses a front hood locking mechanism
The hood latch on any car is used to connect the hood release cable to the hood locking mechanism. If it breaks you will no longer be able to open the hood using the hood release in the inside of the car, which will be problematic the next time you have to enter the engine bay. In order to open the hood in this situation, you will need to manually open the hood locking mechanism.
Instructions
Through the Grill
1. Look through the grill and locate the hood locking mechanism. It will be in the middle of the car, directly under the front of the hood.
2. Bend the end of the aluminum wire around to create a loop, then tie a knot so that the loop does not come loose.
3. Slide the wire through the grill and get the loop around the hook of the hood locking mechanism.
4. Pull the wire in the opposite direction of the hook while depressing the hood. This will give the hook some slack and make it easier to pull open.
5. Pull up on the hood to open it, still applying tension to the wire.
From Underneath the Car
6. Jack up the car and secure it in place with two jack stands.
7. Slide underneath the car; position yourself in such a way that you are in the center of the car and you can put your hands behind the radiator.
8. Reach up to the hood latch with the pair of pliers and find the hook of the hood locking mechanism.
9. Pull the hook away from the hood latch with the pliers.
10. Have a friend lift up the hood while you continue pulling on the hook with your pliers.
Tags: hood locking, hood locking mechanism, locking mechanism, hood latch, front hood