Hood Stuck Closed

Gribbin · 05-04-2005, 05:30 PM

I just picked up a 72 911T and I can't get the front hood to open. Before I brought it home, it opened fine. Anyone have any ideas? The cable seems to be connected to the handle. What should I do? Any help would be great!

Thanks. John

FrayAdjacent911 · 05-04-2005, 05:47 PM

Get a second set of hands (attached to a different person) and have them try to lift the hood while you pull the release in the cabin. (Or vice versa)

My front hood won't pop up when I pull the handle. I haven't looked into it. I just adjusted the latch plunger so it is not engaging. The hand release and weight seem to hold it down fine for now.

Gribbin · 05-04-2005, 05:50 PM

I did try that, no Go!

Sumotang · Sumotang's Garage

How about using an angle grinder to cut a hole in the bonnet to get to the latch. You could then use this hole to divert air to the external cooler.

dimps8 · dimps8's Garage

I'm pretty sure there designed in such a way, if the cable snaps, the hood will be released. maybe you can disconect the cable in the cabin some how.

FrayAdjacent911 · 05-04-2005, 05:55 PM

Yeah, I hear if the front latch is out of adjustment, you CAN'T get it open without drilling something.

Gribbin · 05-04-2005, 05:56 PM

That was what I was thinking? The release has a handle T type with a key to lock it.

MobileWrks · 05-04-2005, 06:12 PM

closed fists, just below the emblem on the hood. Bang it while someone is pulling on the cable.
Jimmy..

KevinP73 · 05-04-2005, 06:17 PM

While your assistant is pulling on the handle apply pressure on the front edge of the hood as if you were trying to push the car backwards. Use both hands and inpart as much upwards force as possible. It helps to be on your knees to get enough leverage. You'll get eventually just be persistant.
Good Luck

KevinP73 · 05-04-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FrayAdjacent911
Yeah, I hear if the front latch is out of adjustment, you CAN'T get it open without drilling something.

NO!!!! not true at all.

c911s · 05-04-2005, 07:20 PM

I had (have) the same problem on a 73 T targa, fortunately the bumper was off as I am in the process of replacing a fiberglass spoiler with a S spoiler type.
I spent hours trying to jar it loose with the latch pulled - no luck.
With the bumper off there is enough room to reach the bolts attaching the upper or lower latch brackets with an open end wrench. Loosen the bolts and the hood will pop free. I spent an afternoon trying to adjust the latches for the correct spring/bolt length and it stuck closed many times. Found out through trial and error that if you loosen the top latch bracket the hood pops free the easiest. The finger pull is in the way of 1 bolt however, so I cut about 1 inch off the finger lever to give access to the second bolt.
Still have work to do getting it to release properly. I tightened the bolt/spring in the top latch 1/2 turn at a time. It kept poping open when driving. Did this many times.... Then did the opposite, loosening it out of frustration, the hood latched and has not popped open for a week - tried to open it today - no luck grrrrrrrr
New parts for each latch are expensive; however I read in an early up-fixin volume the latch parts are same as early VW.

TT87CAB · 05-04-2005, 07:26 PM

My first post. I have been lurking and learning for the past year. I had the same problem approx. 1 month after buying my car. I pushed and tugged with an assistant pulling on the T latch, with no result. I was to the point of drilling an access hole in the bumper as described in the Bentley manual, until I looked real close at the T handle. On the inboard side of the T handle shank you will find a very very small screw that limits the travel of the handle. I removed this screw (put a towel under your work to catch the screw when it falls). I gently pulled the T handle farther than it was allowed to go before removing the screw and viola the front hood popped open(what a nice feeling). Upon inspection the PO or his wrench did not secure the secondary cable lock and thru cable stretch and/or slip my latch would not open enough to open the front hood. I reinstalled the limit screw and readjusted the cable and secured cable lock with no further problems to date. I do not know if a 72 911T has the same T handle setup as the 87 cab but I thought it worth a post to have you look. Good Luck.
P.S. Thanks to all on this board for all the information I have received and hopefully I will be able to return the favor in the future as my experience and project lists grow.

GettinHeadStuds · 05-04-2005, 07:45 PM

Is there any up and down play with the hood? Or is it stuck completely shut?

If there is some play... it could be that the little hook on the inside is not releasing properly... i think it sways left to right... get a thin piece of metal, plastic, wood and shimmy it under the hood. Try and push the latch/hook to the right. This worked for me the one time I had this problem...

Gribbin · 05-05-2005, 08:53 AM

What a bunch of great information! I will get to work on this tonight! Thanks all for the help.

WHAT A GREAT SITE THIS IS!!!!!

ajbsd · 05-05-2005, 09:33 AM

Hi John,

I had the same trouble with my 72. I had to replace the latch on the hood and after doing so, the plunger was not quite lined up with the catch on the apron and the hood would not open. So, I had my assistant (wifey) pull the handle as I inserted a medium sized flat head screw driver wrapped in a cloth (to protect the paint) in the gap on the right side of the hood down near the bottom and pried the hood to the left just enough to move the hood to release. Afterwards, I adjusted the alignment of the latch on the hood and no more problem.

Hope this helps.

john_colasante · 05-05-2005, 10:11 AM

I had the same problem too. What a b!tch. Follow the suggestions here, people know what they are talking about. My solution ended up being to jimmy a wrench in and loosen the bolts that hold the top latch. It was a very long process as each turn of the wrench was like 2 degrees. But, it finally worked.

daddygo · daddygo's Garage

Thought I would add my success to this thread. I'm restoring a 73 Targa, and before I had a chance to align the front latch, I heard a click, I looked at my 14 year old daughter who stood smiling at the front of the car. Tried all the pushing and pulling to no avail.

Lifted the bumper seal and got a wrench with a ratchet inserted and removed the two side bolts from the lower latch, this gave me enough room to begin removing one of the bolts from the top latch, and pop, the thing opened up. Little more care in lining it back up and now it works like a charm.

Good luck.

EarlyPorsche · 06-20-2009, 08:25 AM

Press down and have a third set of hands pulling on the wee edge of the hood side to side until it unlatches. Oh of course have someone pulling handle. Once you get it open there are little holes drilled from the factory in the hinge and hood and you just put a small awl through there and get good alignment.

KNS · 06-20-2009, 08:25 AM

TT87CAB,

That's a great first post... Thank you!

RoninLB · 06-20-2009, 10:19 AM

engine lid has same adjustment holes