OK guys, I need help! I have an old 1979 Corvette that I can't get the hood open. This particular model has the regular pull release under the dash that releases two (2) different latches under the hood. The driver side releases but the the passenger side will not. When I carefully lift the driver side enough to look under I can see that the cable that connects the two different latches has broken away from the connectors that held it in place. The cable appears to be still connected to the passenger side but since the "holders/connectors" are broken it is not allowing the cable to be positioned to activate the other latch.

I found a pic on the Web that showed an access hole to reach the latch but mine does not have them. Have y'all got any suggestions? I've tried to just pull on the cable, sheath and all, but that does nothing. I'm going to try to attach some Vise Grips to just the cable, not the sheath, and pull on that....other than that I'm out of ideas. I also found a tool for just this problem but it is for other Vette models.


Any ideas?

Your car DOES have the 2 access holes, but you probably don't know what you're looking at. They're about 3/4" in diameter, are located 2" from the inside of the fender, and they have a black plastic plug in them. Feel around more with your fingertips. They're up high under the rear of the hood. If you can't find them, I suggest you look at another Corvette to get an idea of where they are.

I have heard you can lie on your back under the car and use a long bent wire to reach up and snag the mechanism.

Your car DOES have the 2 access holes, but you probably don't know what you're looking at. They're about 3/4" in diameter, are located 2" from the inside of the fender, and they have a black plastic plug in them. Feel around more with your fingertips. They're up high under the rear of the hood. If you can't find them, I suggest you look at another Corvette to get an idea of where they are.

I have heard you can lie on your back under the car and use a long bent wire to reach up and snag the mechanism.
Thanks! I'll look for them again. Do I push the plugs through? And Will I use a screw driver to "push" the latch or "pull" the latch or what? I've heard of the "under the car with a wire" thing....I'm just not Houdini!

Thanks again!

I took a good look at my plastic plugs after you posted your plea for help. My plugs have an "X" cut in them, and it looks like you could push a long screwdriver thru them and pop the latch. But they ARE impossible to see with the hood closed and awfully hard to get to as well.

They are located exactly 2" from the inside of the fender and way up high. It looks like you would shove a screwdriver thru the "X" cut in them about 5-6" and pry the latch toward the middle of the car. Which would mean you would pull your screwdriver handle toward the outside of the car.

I have read C3 hoods are real easy to pop open once you figure out how to do it. Like I said earlier, it would be great if you could look at the hood latch mechanism on another C3 Corvette; to get a good idea of where everything is located under the hood.

I took a good look at my plastic plugs after you posted your plea for help. My plugs have an "X" cut in them, and it looks like you could push a long screwdriver thru them and pop the latch. But they ARE impossible to see with the hood closed and awfully hard to get to as well.

They are located exactly 2" from the inside of the fender and way up high. It looks like you would shove a screwdriver thru the "X" cut in them about 5-6" and pry the latch toward the middle of the car. Which would mean you would pull your screwdriver handle toward the outside of the car.

I have read C3 hoods are real easy to pop open once you figure out how to do it. Like I said earlier, it would be great if you could look at the hood latch mechanism on another C3 Corvette; to get a good idea of where everything is located under the hood.

I went to a car show this last weekend in hopes of finding a 79 for the purpose of examining the latch mechanisms. There were about 8 older Vettes, but none had my set-up.

It sounds like you have a 79 yourself....is it possible to post a pic showing what you described? I'll owe you big time!! :beerbang:

I went to a car show this last weekend in hopes of finding a 79 for the purpose of examining the latch mechanisms. There were about 8 older Vettes, but none had my set-up.

It sounds like you have a 79 yourself....is it possible to post a pic showing what you described? I'll owe you big time!! :beerbang:

TooBroketoRetire,

Forget about the pics, I just found a great site that explained just as you did and it gives excellent pics of the procedure on both sides.

Thanks a million! I appreciate you taking the time to explain it yourself! People like yourself will keep sites like this valuable to those who truly need it. :thumbsup3:

D. J.

hey did you get your hood open? i just did this last week if you need more advice. btw i had to push down on the latch to open, not foward. I found the access plug holes beneath the wiper arms and removed them to get more clearence. once you have the left side "popped" you should have enough room to reach in with pliers and pull the other side. if it wont open, get a buddy to push with a pulsating action on the corner to relieve pressure on the latch and then try to pull.

I've tried several approaches but no go. Any more suggestions?

Does anyone know if there is a special tool for opening the hood this model Vette? I found the openings but that is as far as I can get.

I finally got the hood open!

Since the driver side was unlatched, I carefully lifted the hood and cut the cable and attached Vice Grips and pulled gently, and the drivers side opened!

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr121/thetxshrine/HPIM2824.jpg


There are supposed to be two access holes (sealed with a plastic plug), and there were, that you could trip the latches using a (magic) screw driver. I popped the plugs and used these holes to run my accessory cables through.

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr121/thetxshrine/HPIM2833.jpg

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr121/thetxshrine/HPIM2830.jpg

I then made cables for each side like this.

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr121/thetxshrine/HPIM2836.jpg

I used the holes to run the cables so that they could be used in case this happened again. They can both be accessed and pulled from the wiper area while the hood is closed.


http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr121/thetxshrine/HPIM2844.jpg

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr121/thetxshrine/HPIM2839.jpg

This was the culprit that failed. I've ordered another one.

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr121/thetxshrine/HPIM2845.jpg

I'll finally be driving it tomorrow!!

Awesome info about the two access plugs, and I love you're "back up" solution with the short cable assys.:goodpost: :thumbsup:

I've got a '78 with the same broken tab!!!

I'm going to order a new one, but is this tab just "under-engineered" or does the fracture of the tab come from over tightening the mounting screw, or is it just one of those "30+ yr old plastic parts that have to be changed out occasionally?

I'd like to come up with a way to reinforce the tiny tab so that it won't break on the new replacement cable when I get it. Like maybe a thin strip of steel wrapped and drilled.

Awesome info about the two access plugs, and I love you're "back up" solution with the short cable assys.:goodpost: :thumbsup:

I've got a '78 with the same broken tab!!!

I'm going to order a new one, but is this tab just "under-engineered" or does the fracture of the tab come from over tightening the mounting screw, or is it just one of those "30+ yr old plastic parts that have to be changed out occasionally?

I'd like to come up with a way to reinforce the tiny tab so that it won't break on the new replacement cable when I get it. Like maybe a thin strip of steel wrapped and drilled.

That plastic tab is the vulnerable part!...and of course 30 years of use! Initially I re-enforced mine with a washer but that didn't keep it from breaking...maybe even helped it. Install the back-up cables. You'll not have to worry about the "tabs" then.