best way to open hood with broken release cable is to remove the grille according to DavidH25 but what is best way to remove the grill since I can't open the hood

Asked by rpohl58 Jan 25, 2013 at 08:18 AM about the 1998 Buick Park Avenue FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

13 Answers

I'm still working on that my friend, just no luck So far. But I have not given up. It's a F*** up situation, to open the hood the grille has to come off..and for the grille to come off the hood has to be open...there has GOT to be a way, one fellow broke his grille of with a hammer and bought a new one when the same thing happened, but he was very frustrated with the whole thing and I think he simply lost his temper. but important: I am NOT advising you to do THAT

10 people found this helpful.
177,415

Is there any way to get to the latch from under the car? GM's are usually open at the bottom. If you can't get to the cable, you may be able to remove the bolts that hold the latch. Another option is to use a hacksaw blade without the frame and cut a opening that can be epoxied back into place.

11 people found this helpful.
120

I was having this problem and i just got my hood open a few minutes ago. All i did was sit on the hood while i was looking fir the solution. When i got off the hood popped up and all i had to do was release the hood. Hope this helps any other buick owners

12 people found this helpful.
30

What Dustin wrote worked!! We did exactly what he said and heard a click. We then tried to unlatch it; it worked...much to my husband's surprise!! Thanks!!

3 people found this helpful.
10

Dustin - thank you. It worked for me too! I inherited my father's '98 Deville when he died 3 months ago. I'm a Mustang collector so I washed, clayed, waxed and detailed the car to perfect so I could sell it. But I've been traveling for business and just couldn't get to it, so it sat in my garage for 2 months! I just wanted to put it on the charger or change the battery (the battery BTW is fine per my analyzer), but I couldn't get the hood open. When the car sits for a while, the hood lock mechanism surcumbs to grease, oil, dirt, and grime, locking it in place. The under dash hood release works, but can't make the parts move. A liberal dose of Gibs Oil, Silicone spray, or WD-40 will fix that. If stuck (does not pop open when the underdash hood release is applied) sit on the hood, or press down firmly. Then "pop" the hood again,. If it still does not move, pull up on the hood by the top row of grille opennings, taking care not to put stress on the plastic grille; move your hands wide enough apart to lift the hood evenly. Mine poped right up, I lubricated the whole mechanism with Gibs Oil and the cable with graphite. 10 minutes on the battery charger and my father's baby NorthStar engine started right up. My afternoon will comprise a 30 minute cruise, some cleanup detailing and a new coat of wax for the pictures to go on Craig's list. If you know anyone who wants one, email me at jdettori@optonline.net John

1 people found this helpful.
20

We were at our wit's end about this darned stuck hood on my Forester. We need to do some maintenance or I can't drive it. While googling for a solution, I found this forum, read what Dustin wrote, and tried it. It worked! Hood is open! Thank you!

2 people found this helpful.
10

I tried what Dustin said, but was having no luck. I tried to pop it once more and it still didn't work. In frustration I shut the door rather forcefully and to my surprise it popped right up. Don't know if this will work for others, but it sure made my day better.

1 people found this helpful.
30

After pulling the latch go to the front of the car n slide you fingers in the middle n slide your hand over to the lleft m there is a lever kimda plate, push up

3 people found this helpful.
50

There are 6 Torx screws in the front of the Grill on my 92 Park Avenue, I removed them and was able to get at the cable.

5 people found this helpful.
60

But now that I got the grill off my 91 how the hell do I get the hood open I have tried everything I have read and seen and I still can't figure out how to get my hood open

6 people found this helpful.
40

Hood connection is made out of soft plastic and I did not want to brake the lever. I then use a pare of pliers and pulled on the cable, to protect the lever, then the hood opened at once. Checked out the cable and lubed. Works great, just need to put it on the list of things to do next time you change your oil!

4 people found this helpful.
20

Took the grille off 1995 Buick Park Avenue. Lock pliers on cable inside to the max pull back. WD40. Nothing worked. Tomorrow morning I am taking an axe to the hood and and find that )()*&*^^*&)(* (*)_) latch and kill it with a sledge hammer. Battery is run down, so I can;t even drive the ))(*^%%^* car to the garage UNTIL I can get to the battery to charge it.

2 people found this helpful.
10

You might also have some luck if you have one person pulling on the release while you grab the manual release and rock up and down. This, slamming the door, and sitting on the hood have worked for me in the past.

1 people found this helpful.

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