Just had problem with dash noise repaired. In the search for the noise, techs check the hood latches and several other things. However, now I can't open the hood because when I pull the latch in the car, the pull thingee is not poping out of the grill. Any suggestions. The shop I use is generally very good, but is way off the beaten path. I'm trying to avoid another long trip for something that is hopefully a simple fix.

The "V" models don't have the thingie protruding from the grill (as others have already mentioned), only the 850s have that.

If you do have a thingie (regardless of year/model) and it's not protruding, that happens on my '94 855T every year, usually while I'm on a long car trip with the family. The way to get in is to release the hood latch, then feel around the bottom of the perimeter of the grill for the slides that hold the grill in place. There is one at each side, maybe an inch in, and one in the middle. You'll need to get your fingers in and try to slide them, then work them off the post (it'll be easier if it's not cold and if you can find another car's grill to look at before you try this blind). BE READY TO CATCH THEM BECAUSE THEY FALL IN UNRECOVERABLE PLACES.

Once you've got the bottom three out, you should be able to pop the bottom of the grill out (towards you, i.e., the front of the car) and then lower it down. Now you can get to the latch.

Awhile back I wrote up a long description of how I fixed this problem from recurring, so before I write it up I'll try to find that (maybe it's in the archives?). Also, maybe I'll go snap a digital photo of my solution...

-cj

very interesting. i have nothing atall that protrudes from the grill, just
a finger latch on the grill bottom a few inches right of center. at times
i have to pull the release (inside) twice, as it is stubborn at times...

mpls

Your model car sohuld not have a latch that pops out of the grill. Instead, ywhen you use the latch inside the vehicle, you should hear a sound to indictae the hood has been released. You then lift the hood up a little bit and under the grill is a handle which you grab and pull towards you. I have a 98 V70R and that's the way it is on mine. The older models had the latch that popped out from the grille.

DelgadoS
San Diego