Hood release cable disconnected or broken

[Moose88x]

Just got finished installing my crank pulley and PLM kit. I went for a drive and wanted to see the level of coolant to see if the bleed worked. All was good but when I pulled the hood latch it made a strange sound but I didn't think anything of it at the time. The coolant level was good I shut the hood (like and idiot) and then went to inspect the lever inside. The lever was loose so I assumed the spring slipped or lever broke. Well, I dug into it today and the spring and lever were in great shape, the cable was a little bent, but when I pulled it the hood still wouldn't release. Any ideas how to get my hood open to repair the cable? I could get my fingers on the inside lever under the hood but still nothing?
I saw a video of a guy taking a Sawzall to the actual latch that connects the hood to the engine bay and replacing that. Any ideas?

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[fitzydude]

This is a pain in the ass to unlatch but it can be done. A guy from China used 3 guys and a broken pool cue to unlatch it. Happend to me and the guys at my body shop customized a wrench to undo the nuts that hold the latch to the top of the hood. I recommend taking it to a shop... It's a pain in the ass

[Moose88x]

Ya I'm thinking this is out and I'm going to a shop. A little over my head

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[AllroadMass]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=717065

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[Jflow23]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=717065

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Wrong model...grille doesn't pop out.

[AllroadMass]

Oh poop, sorry man.

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[Moose88x]

Oh poop, sorry man.

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No problem appreciate it though

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[infinkc]

There has to be a way without damaging too much.

this guy cut his open, i would have done that last resort.

[cspcrx]

I am sure Audi has a way to get them open.

I have to say the video of the guy, I am guessing a soldier, using a reciprocating saw on his RS4 is priceless. This is totally something my brother-n-law would do. He is a CSM in the Army. LOL

[whiped]

I am sure Audi has a way to get them open.

I have to say the video of the guy, I am guessing a soldier, using a reciprocating saw on his RS4 is priceless. This is totally something my brother-n-law would do. He is a CSM in the Army. LOL

It's an A4 and he just kept the RS4 badge...

@OP, cutting may be your best bet as that part is pretty easily replaced.

I was looking at it last night, I don't see how you can manually activate it without using the cable.

After some research here is what I would do:

Remove the scratch guard on the bottom of the car. (Held on by a handful of screws)
Once that is off you should be able to use a belt wrench to access the 3 bolts on the back of the latch.
With those out you should hopefully be able to open the hood enough to slide the clips holding the cabling near the drivers headlight off and gain better access.


Good luck

[k6750gsxr]

Not sure if this will help. This happened to me last month. My hood would not unlatch. I took it to my work and attempted to look at it but realized quick that was not going to happen. I called my local audi dealer and explained what it was. The quoted me a diagnostic fee of 150$ plus labor. It took there mechanic 4 hours to get hood popped. When the service manager came up to me with the bill I was expecting 400$ at least. He said it was 175$ total after tax. He explained that it was part of the diagnostic to pop the hood for inspection. For once a dealer didnt try and screw me over. I will always check hood before closing from here on out.