Please tell me it isn't so ...

[Frog2Spider]

I got to think'n yesterday, while checking under the hood. (1981 2000 Spider)

What would happen, if the wire on the hood release latch ever broke?

The manual shows an emergency cord. I found what looks like a plastic string. One end is attached to the release mechanism and the other end is deep under the dash, left of the steering wheel, and not to far through the firewall.

This is supposed to be the 'emergency' release? Really?

Has anybody ever have to open a hood, where the release wire on the latch has broke?

F2S

[So Cal Mark]

sounds like a good time for you to add an emergency cord

[spider2081]

On my 81 the emergency release is near to the regular release but a little closer to the firewall. It is a plastic coated steel cable that has a loop in the end. They can be hard to pull so I would suggest putting something through the loop to make a "T" handle, sort of like the pull to start on a lawn mower. I have used a screw drivers handle.

[DieselSpider]

On my 78 its a plastic coated steel cable. Simple but effective as long as it has not been pulled through its hole and left dangling in the engine compartment.

[kilrwail]

A good solution for peace of mind is to replace that plastic-coated cable with a new steel cable running through a new hole in the driver's side inner fender, into the wheel well. Because it will be a straight pull, it will actually work quite easliy.

[Frog2Spider]

Boy, the Italian designers really 'brain stormed' to come up with this piece of ingenuity!

Running a new cable straight from the release and through the fender well sounds like the plan of choice. Thanks kerwall.

Is there a kit to do this, Mark?

[RRoller123]

Another item for the winter list. Tight fitting Grommet to make it ~weather tight in the wheel well.

[vandor]

> Boy, the Italian designers really 'brain stormed' to come up with this piece of ingenuity!

Why, how many other cars have ANY kind of emergency hood release? Most have none.

[Frog2Spider]

Good point vandor ...

Now I'm worried about 'why' it was thought to be necessary?

So it's a good idea, but I'm not so sure it would work as Fiat designed.
I'm think'n that the 'through the fender' idea is the way to go.

[DieselSpider]

Good point vandor ...

Now I'm worried about 'why' it was thought to be necessary?

So it's a good idea, but I'm not so sure it would work as Fiat designed.
I'm think'n that the 'through the fender' idea is the way to go.

On a car with the hood hinged up front you need it while on cars where you can get at the latch fairly easily from the front through the grill its not that big an issue.

[Frog2Spider]

Further to this issue -

I replaced the stock emergency hood release cable with a new cable and design. I simply attached a small steel wheel (normally used on a sliding patio door) to the firewall, and ran a new cable through it, and down the firewall to a length easily reached from under the car. I zip tied the end of the cable to keep it from flying around.

I hope I never need it, but if I do, I won't have to be a controronist and dig up under the dash to find it. Then hope I can put enough 'pull' on it, without breaking the cable, to release the hood.

Damn, the thought of not being able to activate the hood release lock, gave me bad dreams!

[KevAndAndi]

I also had bad dreams about this, when I read the original post. One of those things you might never think about, until it goes wrong, and it slowly dawns on you that you are majorly screwed. You know, like in the movies when they dolly the camera toward the subject and at the same time zoom out, so the person's shocked face stays the same size but the depth of field goes all weird and the soundtrack orchestra plays the sound of doom.

I found the emergency cord, and gave it a good pull. Nothing. Didn't try it with a "T" (rod, dowel, screwdriver, or such like). I was afraid of breaking it. Of course, that makes no sense. If it is breakable, you would want to know now, when the primary release is still working.