Hey all, new guy here. A long-time friend's father just gave me an 89 GTA in need of restoration. It was running when his son parked it a few years ago so I think it will be OK with a good amount lovin'. I want to go get it from his house but last time I was there, the hood release cable wasn't...hood releasing. The handle would move a few inches but it felt like the cable wasn't attached. I had a sticky hood release on my Impala SS and generous dose of WD-40 cured it. How (in blazes) do I get this thing open from the bottom? Any tricks? I should probably take this as a sign that this car is going to be a "challenge". I'd like to get started while the (REALLY) warm weather is still here, so I'd appreciate any input.

Kevin

 

my hood release does the same thing.. it feels like no cable is attached (but is is). im assuming starting this thing is not an option (thats one way mine finally pops) but i usually tap the hood right at the front near the release area and it will pop.. hopefully it is just the same problem i have. Sometimes mine sticks so bad i have to actually put it into gear before it pops though. Good Luck!

oh yeah, lucky you, somebody gave you a car!!

 

Roxie, next time you have the hood open try grabbing hold of the spring hanging down from the hood and stretching it out a bit, with age these springs get weak and loos theyre shape. be carefull when doing this, the spring can and will come off of the hood and do wonders for you manicure (OUCH). you can hold the end that attaches to the hood with one hand and stretch it with the other. I need to do mine about every 3 months to keep it working right.

 

Thanks for the help folks. This one of those "hit it with a hammer and if that doesn't work, get a bigger hammer"-fixes

Starting it is not an option until I get some new fluids, filters, hoses, etc. in there.

We'll see just how lucky I am once the bills start piling up. Thanks again - I'm sure you'll be hearing from me early and often with this project.

 

I used to put my hand up through the grill of my camaro and up to the latch, unlatch it and have someone pull the hood up or push it up with the other hand. I don't know if you could do it with a GTA though. Also there is a plastic thing that is probably in the way. I was able to pull it down, nothing should break. Once you finally do get it opened. Take out the latch and spray some degreaser on it and then grease it back up. Also I think you could get a new spring for the hood.

 

i usually push mine down pretty hard, then pull the handle, push the handle back in, and grab the under-edges of the hood and give it a healthy yank.pops right up, and works, until i get my ram air hood

 

Sounds kinda crude, but when mine did that I had to beat it on the front edge. After a little light pounding it would pop up. Then like someone else said shoot it with wd

 

On the GTA to open it from the bottom you will have to take the air dam and the plastic between the bumper and airdam, and possibly the GFx to get to the hood release.

Mine does the thing where you pull it and the handle comes out but doesn't return to the orginal position. YOu then have to give it a hit with the side of your fist about 4=7 inches from the edge right on the center of the hood, it pops right up then.

 

have a friend pull the handle and hold it open while you pry up on the hood.

 

I usually just clean all the dirt and grease out of the latch and regrease it. Works the best and doesn't beat the hell out of your investment.

Try removing it and blasting it with brake cleaner. It's only two bolts. Dry with compressed air. Pack with thick grease similar to how you'd pack a bearing. I've only had to do this once to each of my cars and I usually end up doing all my thirdgen friends' cars, too.

 

Same thing I had to do, but I also had to beat my hood as well. If I was by myself I took a short bungee cord, hooked one end to the hood release, the other end to the door handle, and opened my door. It pulled and held the hood release handle just enuf so I could get it open myself.Put some grease or WD-40 on there, should fix her right up . It will be one of the easier fixes prolly. Have fun :lala: :lala: