Stuck passenger hood latch
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 8
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2004 Mercedes S430 W220
Stuck passenger hood latch
Hello,
I went to open my hood on my 2004 S430 and the left side will pop open after I pull the thing that pops out of the grill, but the left side remains closed. Is there a way to get to the cable without breaking the grill? Can I go from underneath? Anyone have any suggestions?
If I do have to break the grill- what do I do from there?
Thank you in advance : )
I went to open my hood on my 2004 S430 and the left side will pop open after I pull the thing that pops out of the grill, but the left side remains closed. Is there a way to get to the cable without breaking the grill? Can I go from underneath? Anyone have any suggestions?
If I do have to break the grill- what do I do from there?
Thank you in advance : )
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 857
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From: Washington, DC
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
Same thing happened to me. One side would not release. No one could deal with it. Finally took it to the dealer. From under the car on a lift, they used a really long (like 4 ft) screw driver and poked the bashful hood latch from underneath. Took all of 20 seconds. Then they replaced the cable in about an hour and handed me a bill for $400. I felt really stupid.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 11
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2003 Mercedes S600
The cable might be stretched a bit. I had the same issue on my S600 and kept pulling on the release until it finally gave. It just needed an extra bit of movement.
However, before closing it again, I sliced through a small nut and added it to the cable where the end piece meets the lever to take up some slack. I put it on and crimped it so it stays on. I wouldn’t recommend removing the original end piece to remove slack.
not sure if that will help you
However, before closing it again, I sliced through a small nut and added it to the cable where the end piece meets the lever to take up some slack. I put it on and crimped it so it stays on. I wouldn’t recommend removing the original end piece to remove slack.
not sure if that will help you
