Need help fixing a 1991 Celica hood release

[snazu]

A few days ago, my hood release cable for my celica snapped, and I'm trying to get the hood open in order to install a new one, but I can't seem to figure out how to get it open without the hood release working. Does anyone have any tips or tricks to fix this? Thanks!

[canadiancelica]

You should be able to reach up from the bumper grille. Just find where the cable is and pull on it with pliers. I not then you're shit out of luck.

[JoeDynamo]

I've fixed this on other cars, but the Celica is extra tricky, maybe a thin metal spring hook (long thin bar with a turned hook on the end, or try a stout metal pants hanger) can be directed through the grill area or from beneath, to hook the lock mechanism and slid to the right to open it. Once opened I would attach a spring cable or wire to the lock mechanism, and let it hang freely downward, to where it can be used, as a future backup failsafe solution.


Access might also be drastically achieved through the driver's side fender well, removing the tire and inner fender liner to reach the locking mechanism if the cable has been dislodged (no guarantee that this will work), and of course one could always just cut a hole in the hood at the hood attachment point (maybe a cool Toyota emblem or hood scoop could be found to cover the offending hole, or here's your justification to upgrade the hood to carbon fiber).