Hood release broken, can I remove it?

[HowardP]

2000 VW - got a nasty problem in that the hood won't open. The plastic pull knob on the front came undone it seems and I can only get the hood open 3 inches.

I've tried using needlenose to pull and push on every part of the latch I can get to; pushed on all parts with a screwdriver, no luck.

It sounds like it will cost hundreds to get this fixed (VW sells the part for $75 alone). This car is in bad shape, so I hate to put any money into it.

Now, let me ask, if I do get it open, instead of getting a new latch put on, could I just take the old one out? I mean, can I have it where all you need to do is pull the handle inside the car to open it and not have the secondary latch?
Any danger in this, although the hood has never come part way open on its own before...

Thanks
Howard P
haperlman@comcast.net

[noR]

The parts probably more like $7. Wait till you see what's actually broken.

And you should be able to , .. or get someone to, squeeze your finger tips up in there, I had to use my middle finger to reach the tab. But there's a piece up there, kinda feels sharp a little. You can reach in and pull it, it'll kinda flip/swing a little towards; that's how you know you have the right piece of mechanics. Then keep pulling that down/towards you. The "sharp" piece that is.

It's 1 movement, and you don't push something and then push something else, just put your finter up there, find the right piece and down/towards you should be enough.

I went about a year w/that broken latch.

[D2Beetle]

Read the last post in this thread.

The "tounge" part as noted by noR; is less than $10.

What do you mean by "bad shape".

[HowardP]

Thanks...

Bad shape...oh, the hood is bashed in, the bumper peice below it is held on with wire, dented door, seats stained, armrest broken, had broken windshield. My college kid drives it (almost 100,000 miles), so I'm not inclined to put any money into it (I did change the timing belt this year). And the catalytic converter is going bad.

I'll try again to open the hood myself. If I can maybe I can attach a wire to the part you have to pull, and save $300 possibly?

[kitchybangbang]

Originally Posted by HowardP

Thanks...

Bad shape...oh, the hood is bashed in, the bumper peice below it is held on with wire, dented door, seats stained, armrest broken, had broken windshield. My college kid drives it (almost 100,000 miles), so I'm not inclined to put any money into it (I did change the timing belt this year). And the catalytic converter is going bad.

I'll try again to open the hood myself. If I can maybe I can attach a wire to the part you have to pull, and save $300 possibly?

Howard my hood latch is broken, the previous owner attached a wire to it to pull it open see pictures

i can open it and close it although when i close it i have to push evenly on both sides of the hood
i havent the money to get it fixed quite yet

[idriv442]

I replaced mine with a part from here. It was free shipping and the part got here pretty quick. Easy install as well. Need a bolt and nut or a heavy zip tie.

[kitchybangbang]

Originally Posted by idriv442

I replaced mine with a part from here. It was free shipping and the part got here pretty quick. Easy install as well. Need a bolt and nut or a heavy zip tie.

sooo cheap ty! awesome!id say i love you but that would just be inappropriate

[idriv442]

LOL, You're welcome for the info.