The cable for the hood release is not connected on the inside of the car. If that cable is frozen up, how the heck do you get to it? Do I have to take of the entire windshield cowl? Is it more likely an alignment isssue with the latch or the striker? I read a few threads in the archives, so I have a good starting point. But pics would be helpful. Thanks!

Are you talking about at the release lever?
If so look closely, you will see a cable under there that has like a lead looking end tucked under there.
Get it loose and give it a pull, see if that works.

Yes, the cable is disconnected from the release lever under the dash. I guess what I wondering is...If I had to replace that cable, how the heck do you access it? It is mostly buried inside the structure of the car. Obviously I can see the end that connects to the latch mechanism, and I can see the portion that runs under the dash. The rest of it is hidden, so to speak. If the cable is my problem, it doesn't look like it will be much fun to fix!

quote Originally posted by Ditkaphile: Yes, the cable is disconnected from the release lever under the dash. I guess what I wondering is...If I had to replace that cable, how the heck do you access it? It is mostly buried inside the structure of the car. Obviously I can see the end that connects to the latch mechanism, and I can see the portion that runs under the dash. The rest of it is hidden, so to speak. If the cable is my problem, it doesn't look like it will be much fun to fix!

Remove wipers, disconnect washer lines at each wiper and at the 'T' passenger side center. Remove spring, retaining pins and four screws at the bottom of the windshield. Lift off black vent screen, remove latch, detach cable and follow the cable path, remove cable retaining clip about half way to the latch Remove cable from drivers front corner from both the front pan and the cars interior. Install in reverse order. A good idea is to use a wire on the interior end to pull replacement cable back into the car.

Now that's what I call "step-by-step" directions. Thanks!

He also described the 'emergency cable release'. There are 2 cables there. one attached to the handle, and other (with the lead end) attached to the handle bracket. You can pull that one down out of the bracket and pull it with a pair of pliers to release the latch if the connected one is broke or dont work.

The whole cable may not need to be replaced.

I had a problem a few months ago with mine binding up. I removed the cable end from the release (under the dash) and then snipped the end off so it could be pulled through the other side. The i just removed the latch (you can get this unbolted pretty easy) and separated the cable from it and pulled it through. The cable sheath is made with a tightly wound spring inside of the plastic so as long as you grease the cable before you put it back in it all goes very easy.
When i did this with mine, the cable had one single strand that had unraveled inside and this was causing it to bind up. I simply unwound the bum strand (which turned into three before i finished) then used silver solder on the end of the cable (where i cut it) and ground it to a point. After doing all that and greasing the cable it went right back in. From there i used silver solder to "weld" an end back on to the cable so it would not pull through the release assembly under the dash.

If i had to do it all again i would just buy some piano wire and use that instead of reusing the old cable. Piano wire is cheap and solid ( so it wont unravel and bind).

All in all, the project ended up being a huge PITA. Not so much because it was all that complicated or involved but because of trial and error getting everything just right.

Good luck!

~Michael

Thanks guys. I need to get this figured out and fixed...tired of watching the hood flap up and down.

On my 88 coupe, the cable doesn't retract. I just reach under the dash behind the release lever and wiggle the cable after opening the hood. It retracts when I do that. Maybe I'll re-string it with piano wire some day.