Help! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*1FaastC10* · 04-23-2003, 03:10 PM

i've got a bit of a situation on my hands. i was working on the '86 today, and figured out why it wouldnt fire. but the battery that was in it was toast. so i put the battery from my '93 in it so i could take it for a test drive. something isnt quite right with the trans, so i figured just park it, and then mess with it later. i went to take the battery out, and when i pulled on the hood release, nothign happened. either my cable broke or someone decided to be funny and disconnect it. this leave me with 2 undrivable trucks. does anyone know how to open the hood without using a release cable?

*rage'nrat638* · 04-23-2003, 03:37 PM

did the handle bust inside the truck?
on the drivers side remove the inner fender(remove tire of course)
the cable from the cab runs right there ,,,may be able to pull there?
or else youwill have to remove the front grill to release

BaggedC10 · 04-23-2003, 03:37 PM

I've had this happen as well.

I pushed directly on the hood above the latch with both hands firmly. Did that a few times and it released. I greased the latch assembly and haven't had a problem since.

If that doesn't work, you may be able to open it by reaching up in front of the radiator.

*1FaastC10* · 04-23-2003, 04:08 PM

im currently trying to get a piece of thick wire hooked around it to release it. i think my cable may have come off, as i can hear it moving around when i push and pull the inside of the handle. but, im not positive thats the case. i cannot confirm this as i am home alone right now. anybody wanna swing by and give me a had, i'd greatly appreciate it.

removing the grille isnt an option, as some of the screws that hold it in are covered by the hood. i hate the way these things are put together, but boy dont they look good?

**swervin ervin** · 04-23-2003, 04:17 PM

You can sometimes reach up through the grille with a long screwdriver and trip the latch. I've done on trucks before.

**old Rusty C10** · 04-23-2003, 06:06 PM

what swervin said but you can also fabricate some kind of tool outta a piece of rod if you have to i did that once to get the hood open on my old F250

*1FaastC10* · 04-23-2003, 06:07 PM

i got it, finally. i got tired of playing with it and decided to limp it to a bodyshop where i have a couple of friends. we took a piece of 1/4" thick steel and tweaked the front of the hood just enough to get to the bolts that hold the latch to the core support. once we got the bolts out the hood opened right up. it was then that we determined that the cable had come off the latch. i attached teh cable, bolted the latch back to the core support, and closed the hood. opened back up just fine. then took a big ford tool (read:hammer) and pounded the inner part of the hood back in place. looks good as new, works just as well.

04-23-2003, 03:10 PM	#1
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	Help! i've got a bit of a situation on my hands. i was working on the '86 today, and figured out why it wouldnt fire. but the battery that was in it was toast. so i put the battery from my '93 in it so i could take it for a test drive. something isnt quite right with the trans, so i figured just park it, and then mess with it later. i went to take the battery out, and when i pulled on the hood release, nothign happened. either my cable broke or someone decided to be funny and disconnect it. this leave me with 2 undrivable trucks. does anyone know how to open the hood without using a release cable?

04-23-2003, 03:37 PM	#3
BaggedC10 Under construction! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,065	I've had this happen as well. I pushed directly on the hood above the latch with both hands firmly. Did that a few times and it released. I greased the latch assembly and haven't had a problem since. If that doesn't work, you may be able to open it by reaching up in front of the radiator. __________________ 2001 Silverado bagged on 22's. Sold

04-23-2003, 04:17 PM	#5
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	You can sometimes reach up through the grille with a long screwdriver and trip the latch. I've done on trucks before. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

04-23-2003, 06:06 PM	#6
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	what swervin said but you can also fabricate some kind of tool outta a piece of rod if you have to i did that once to get the hood open on my old F250 __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

04-23-2003, 03:37 PM	#2
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	did the handle bust inside the truck? on the drivers side remove the inner fender(remove tire of course) the cable from the cab runs right there ,,,may be able to pull there? or else youwill have to remove the front grill to release

04-23-2003, 04:08 PM	#4
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	im currently trying to get a piece of thick wire hooked around it to release it. i think my cable may have come off, as i can hear it moving around when i push and pull the inside of the handle. but, im not positive thats the case. i cannot confirm this as i am home alone right now. anybody wanna swing by and give me a had, i'd greatly appreciate it. removing the grille isnt an option, as some of the screws that hold it in are covered by the hood. i hate the way these things are put together, but boy dont they look good?

04-23-2003, 06:07 PM	#7
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	i got it, finally. i got tired of playing with it and decided to limp it to a bodyshop where i have a couple of friends. we took a piece of 1/4" thick steel and tweaked the front of the hood just enough to get to the bolts that hold the latch to the core support. once we got the bolts out the hood opened right up. it was then that we determined that the cable had come off the latch. i attached teh cable, bolted the latch back to the core support, and closed the hood. opened back up just fine. then took a big ford tool (read:hammer) and pounded the inner part of the hood back in place. looks good as new, works just as well.



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