Hood (trunk?) will not open
 

Hood, trunk... whatever.
The dang lid over the engine.

I picked up another project car. I thought it was just a junker, but once I got it into a proper garage and started looking at the pan, I believe it is not as bad as I originally thought.

Anyway, the release will not pull. And hence, the lid will not open.

What is the most likely culprit?
Rusted cable in the tube?
Rusted latch?


How about the more important question...

What is the most non-damaging way for me to get in there?

Pictures will be taken and posted soon-ish.

Have you tried squirting PB Blaster or WD-40 into the guide tube?

Try having someone push down on the lid while you pull on the cable...

Tried those two yesterday.
We then sprayed penetrant at everything we could direct a squirt to, and left to sit overnight.

I am on my way out to the garage in a minute to try again.

EDIT: No go with the soaking. The engine remains hidden.

Is it possible to pull the bumper and rear valance so you can reach up in there with a wire hanger and pull the latch? Just a WAG...
Maybe engineer the solution with a car of similar age before you try.

Good luck!

What about getting to the pull-wire guide-tube and cutting into it - then putting some vice grips to the wire. I'm thinking that if the wire is rusted up in the tube, it would have to be replaced anyway... right??

Try taking that metal grile off and reaching in and inlatching?