grrrr I have slack in the cable that pulls the release, but it doesn't seem to move the mechanism at all ... never had this happen on any vehicle before doh ... I have annother latch from an '83 brat that could replace mine ... IF I can ever get it to open arrrg!

there might be something thats bent to cause so much slack in the cable. Sometimes, the mechanism might bend where the cable attaches to it causing it not to want to open.

hmmmm .... that makes sense, any ideas on how to get it back open?

a flat blade screwdriver:D I had a broken cable on my '79 wagon when I went to look at it before I got it. Took me about a half hour to open the dang thing but now it has no mechanism and just hoodpins:D If you're lucky, you might be able to crawl underneath the car and see if you can get your hand behind it and pop it open

My 81 used to do that if someone sat on the front of the bonnet - it seemed to push the latch too far in or something.

Anyway, the only way to open it once thet had happened seemed to be for someone to push down on the bonnet over the latch while i pulled the lever from inside (quite hard). You might want to try that.

if you have the grill out, you can reach behind the the mechanism and pull on the lever that has the spring attached to it. If not, reach from under the bumper and up to the release. its a tight squeeze, so find someone with small, long arms.

 

It should pop, but I'll have some pressure behind it so pull pretty hard ont he lever.

One other thing to try.

 

Push in on the release handle, then pull it. I've had to do that with all the BRATs I had here. Maybe not all of the time, but more times than not.

Really don't know why it works when I do that, but it does.......

Push in on the release handle, then pull it. I've had to do that with all the BRATs I had here. Maybe not all of the time, but more times than not.

Really don't know why it works when I do that, but it does.......

concur

My '87 brat has an issue similiar to yours. It doesn't pop the hood far enough to get to the latch inside. So when I pull on the release cable, I reach over to the drivers side corner of the hood and give it a pop with my fist. That is enough for it to clear the release.

I kinda remmember something like that when I first bought my "85 Brat I just bought a new cable. Wa-La

Someone posted an extensive how-to on this subject here:

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=31328&highlight=latch

I suppose either of the two springs involved could have broken or just worn out.

 

If the smaller one from my link above broke/fell off, there wouldn't be any tension on the cable, and you probably would have to pull hard to release it.

 

There (should) only by three bolts holding the mechanism down, so it won't be

too hard to take it off and inspect it further.

 

good luck

thx for all the suggestions, I just cut the cable a bit shorter (then had to cut down the cable housing because I cut it TOO short DOH! ) and all is well again .. just have to find someone that sells those universal make your own cable kits and make one ... the dealer wants $50!

I think you're Nuts I didn't pay no 50 bucks for a cable.

probably can get the cable parts at a motorcycle shop.