Help! '86 Carrera Rear hood won't release

[zapf16]

Gents/Ladies,

Long time reader, first time writer.

I was adjusting the panel gap on my rear engine hood and unscrewed (lengthened) the latch plunger screw. The hood shut, and now I can't get the mechanism to release. T pull handle on the rear drivers door pillar is attached and pulls, it just doesn't release.

Any ideas?

[Jonny042]

Try getting a helper to pull up on the decklid while you pull the release?

[zapf16]

Tried the helper pushing up while pulling the release, no bueno.

[Discseven]

I messed around with that a while ago Zapf. Am vaguely recalling the need for the plunger to be centered in the receiver. If not, it can get hung up. Not saying this is for sure just an idea. Suggestion is to try the same procedure again while shifting the base of the lid left and right slightly.
.

[RobFrost]

Can you get the engine grille off? On mine the latch releases if the cable is cut or loosened. I don't know if this is a feature or a defect. If you jack up the car you should be able to find the cable.

Before cutting it, see if you can verify this feature on another car by loosening the cable on that one. But don't get the hood stuck on that one.

See if you can loosen the cable before cutting it.

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Discseven

I messed around with that a while ago Zapf. Am vaguely recalling the need for the plunger to be centered in the receiver. If not, it can get hung up. Not saying this is for sure just an idea. Suggestion is to try the same procedure again while shifting the base of the lid left and right slightly.
.

I had a similar problem in my '87. Slightly shimmy the decklid side to side while pulling up on it.

[proporsche]

to make it free, remove the plastic handle that will release the tension on the latch..after move side to side..and when open adjust the rubber stops

Ivan

[zapf16]

Okay,
Well it appears I need to do more wiggling and pulling and such. I’ll get back to you…

[zapf16]

SUCCESS!

But, boy, was I sweating it. After dancing a jig, pulling, tugging, shifting, and wiggling, the rear hood all of a sudden popped clean. I had my wife exercising the release handle while I did my jig. But it worked!