vBob

Help! I was going to check the engine oil level when I realized I couldn't open the hood! I pulled the hood release lever and went to the front. The obligatory tongue which needs to be pulled to open the hood isn't there!

I used flash light to see what's going on. The only thing I noticed is that I'm not seeing the "tongue" at all. Located the opening where the tongue would stick out alright... but no tongue next to it, behind it, or anywhere near the opening.

???

Any other way to open the hood? I could close the hood by pressing it firmly down and pull the hood release lever to release the hood again. But that's about it. No tongue to pull.

Rakete

don't press hard on your hood...you could dent it.....it needs to be "dropped" yikes....

vBob

Well, if you haven't prop open the hood yet, you can carefully shut it. Just make sure you spread the force evenly towards the front edge of the hood. I did notice the softness of the aluminum hood...

carbonLORD

...I also have an aluminum hood and have been told to never ever drop the hood (even with a steel one). Allow even pressure and spread the force is correct Bob.

Looks like the cats got yer tongue

Is it not there at all? I find that really odd, as theres not much anywhere it could have gone (unless the plastic tab broke off) but even still, you should see the entire hood latch assembly in there. Its there, otherwise the hood would not be secured down and probably allow the hood to fly up wwhile driving. Still, if the plastic tongue did break off, your looking at $89 to replace it. Labor is easy as 3 bolts and a socket. I changed my grilles to that from an S6 which is why I understand the assembly so well.

Good luck with it, and keep us posted.

Rakete

No, Cat doesn't have my tongue...but if you read the manual..on page 228 it tells how to properly open and close the hood....maybe dropping isn't the correct word I should have used...they use "let the hood fall".....all I know is some people think they should take their hands and push it in the center..I have watched this being done and that is a good way to dent it. so meow!

carbonLORD

I did'nt say push the center either.

jatwrite

Someone at the installing shop in Michigan didn't get the latch right after removing & replacing grille to apply the 3M vinyl-like clear plastic protection. So, took it back next day; they used flashlight to find the missing tongue, spent about 20 minutes working on it with screwdriver & other tools thru grille opening & finally got it out. I've never been so glad to see a tongue sticking out at me!

vBob

Well, after a good lunch and chasing after every cat in the neighborhood, I finally solved the mystery.

It looks like one of the tabs that keeps the "tongue" straightened in the forward direction has broken off, leaving the tongue wagging in off-center fashion:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/61062/tab-oops.jpg">

I just straightened the tongue out, which should be like this to operate correctly:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/61062/tab.jpg">

Anyway, after a big lunch, I proceeded to find out what has happened with a flash light. And lo and behold, I *thought* I saw that said offending tongue. Using temporary tools (it's actually a battery tie-down rod)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/61062/tab-tools.jpg">

I was able to pull the tongue to the correct position using the "tool" and finally open the hood. After a close observation, it was found the one of the tab that keeps the tongue at the opening has broken off, allowing the tongue to wag in an unfavorable direction. Looks like I have to replace the upper front mesh screen to avoid this in the future.

Erich_Bultmann

Bravo!

ICONCLS

"RS 6 Wrench of The Week Award"©