Hood Release Cable Replacement Cost Estimate

Simply put, if the technician cannot operate the hood latch, they will immediately suspect that the cable is broken or stretched, especially if there is no resistance on the release lever. Further inspection must be conducted if the cable is intact, however, and this may include inspecting for worn bushings on the hood release latch assembly, the hood release cable sheathing not seated properly, or the hood latch mechanism being defective. If all else checks out in this small system, the cable will likely require replacement.

First, the trim will be removed from the kick panel area or other location where the hood release lever is mounted. This grants access to disconnect the hood release cable from the hood release latch assembly. Next, the cable is removed from the hood latch assembly before it is threaded out of the vehicle body and replaced. The rubber grommet that surrounds the hood release cable where it makes entry into the body of the vehicle will be replaced, even if it is not included on the new cable assembly. Once the new cable is threaded in and connected to the hood latch and hood release lever, the interior trim can be replaced. Finally, if adjustment is possible and necessary, the servicing technician will adjust the cable so hood release lever is lightly held in position when not being pulled, and the hood latch has very slight tension as well. This will prevent vibration while driving.

We do not recommend replacing a non-adjustable cable with an adjustable cable as a means of compensating for hood release lever assembly or hood latch that may be out of adjustment. The reason for this is that the malalignment is likely due to wear hood release lever assembly or hood latch. If this is the case, even installing an adjustable cable will not correct the issue, and the hood will likely remain defective, or become defective very soon after replacement.

Failing to replace the water sealing grommet which surrounds the cable will result in water intrusion into the vehicle. For hood release cables which exit from the firewall, behind the engine, this will also lead to harsh smells from the engine bay entering the vehicle. It is always necessary to reseal the exit point of the cable to prevent these undesirable consequences. Some vehicles do not use a hood release cable, and the release may be on the exterior of the vehicle, or just a button. For models with electronic hood release mechanisms, there is normally a way to open the hood with a battery charger or jump-box from inside the vehicle. Check your owner's manual for more information.

This is a perfect job for a DIY project that takes less than an hour. Diagnostics is as easy as listed above, and replacement requires few tools in most cases. The only concern is how and where to route the hood release cable, and this can be simplified by taping the end of the new cable to the end of the old cable before pulling the old cable out.