Installing a New Car Hood Release Cable

When replacing the hood latch cable it is important to pay particular attention to the routing of the cable. The cable comes just long enough to fit the same way it came off. It starts at the hood latch and travels under the top radiator support and through a hole near the drivers side head light. It goes from there along the drivers side fender well, usually under the air cleaner or whatever is located on the fenderwell which varies from one car to another. In all cases it covers the same path. A close look will reveal its location on the fenderwell and should be able to be replaced without removing anything or very few items. It then goes down through the firewall right below the brake power booster. This location on many vehicles is difficult at best to see but can always be felt and a way to access this will be discussed in the process.

Lift the hood and remove the hood release cable at the hood latch using the needle nose pliers. Grab the round ball on the end of the cable in the latch and lift it up and out of the retainer spring. Remove the screw holding the cable to the latch. Pull the cable from behind the headlight and guiding with your hand until it is out past the headlight. At this point the loose end just pulled out should all be on the engine side of the radiator. Remove the hood release handle by removing the bolts with the appropriate socket.

Push the rubber grommet through the firewall below the brake booster using the long thin common screwdriver. Pull the cable from inside the vehicle by grasping it as high as possible toward the firewall. Install the new cable by inserting the latch end through the firewall and feeding enough through to grab from the other side. If you cannot find the hole as it is hidden in many cases, insert the long screwdriver from the other side and then follow it up to the hole. Pull the cable from the engine side until it stop which is where the rubber grommet is that fills the hole the cable came through.

Install the rubber grommet inside by pushing it in the firewall or if difficult use the screwdriver to assist. Pull the cable along the fenderwell routing it the same manner it came out. Push it through the hole at the headlight and under the radiator support. Install the cable to the latch by installing the cable end first into it spring lock. Install the cable into the cable hold down bracket and tighten. Install the release handle and the bolts and tighten.