Hood popper cable replacement?

[G-Force8]

So the '91 Burb's cable no longer fully releases the hood. I have to pound my fist on a special spot on the hood to get the hood to release. Its been that way for about 2 years now but I want to fix it now.

Can I fix it as-is or do I need a new cable and/or other parts? I've seen a cable setup in the Help! section at autozone, will that work?

 

[cdoggwsu]

Are you sure it's the cable and not the latch getting gummed up?

I had the same problem and it was just my latch. The factory service manual recommends plain old 10w-30, I dropped some on after degreasing the mechanism and it's been fine ever since.

 

[G-Force8]

I'll try that and see how it goes. It just doesn't pop like it should when I pull the lever inside.

Thanks for the suggestion

 

[cdoggwsu]

Mine also gets worse as it gets colder out. I never have an issue in the spring/summer, but when it gets really cold sometimes it's still picky...usually if it doesn't pop up right away it will when I shut the door.

 

[skidog1us]

I'd check for freying of the cable between the cable housing and the hood latch connection. Mine was freying for the last two years and finally let go. I ordered a replacement from LMC, installed it, and it broke after second attempt to test it out...the cable pulled out of the handle. Then obtained a salvaged OEM and installed. All good now.

 

[dhcomp]

Once fixed, this is a good reminder to lube your door/hood hinges, and hood latch while you let the oil drain when you change your oil. Quick maintenance items that will make your life easier.

 

[Keitha]

I had the same issue with mine. I felt like the Fonz when I would give it a good hit with the heel of my fist and it would pop open. I cleaned, lubed, and adjusted the realease and all is good now.

 

[dhcomp]

I had the same issue with mine. I felt like the Fonz when I would give it a good hit with the heel of my fist and it would pop open. I cleaned, lubed, and adjusted the realease and all is good now.

We didn't figure out our 90 had a problem (175k on the clock) til the day we went to sell it, and the hood didn't open

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Nice.

Always remember to whack the front of the hood and not the top. Top forces it closed, front actually might pop it open.

I think my cable has stretched as it does this. The mechanism is decently clean and has a nice coating of Amsoil chain lube on it.

 

[Mountain_man]

Ok I'm going to tell you how to fix this problem. I've done it on many many vehicles that come through the checkers auto parts door. It almost always works.

Open the hood however you currently do it. Once open grab the hood latch side. Push in with quite a bit of force and move it roughly 1/4 inch toward the engine side. You can also take a rubber mallet to move it forward. That's all their is to it. Our hoods have so much weight on them the latch will slowly move forward over time. Trust me if it doesn't work move it a little bit more. That's it.

Please post how this works for you as I would say I've had 95% success ratio on this.