After struggling with my car to change out the clutch, get her all put back together and the oil light comes on during the test drive. BAM- hood won't open. I was at wits end with trying to figure out how to get it open and NONE of the forums could help. Your video saved the day!! Thank you so much for this!! I needed to figure out how to pop the hood so that I could release the safety latch, and you are the only person who touched upon it. This video is AMAZING and super informative.
I don't know if you're still looking at the comments on this video but you are the best. I have problem with my main latch so I will try to gain access through the bottom tomorrow and see how it goes. THANK YOU
What a kind remark. thank you. It was a good idea to plan it for a day when you have some time and you aren't pressured by time and light. Very frustrating otherwise, ha ha.
Thank you for putting this together. While there was no way I was going to be able to get the grill off with the hood latched tight, your explicit documentation from several angles of how the latch operates -- and where the end of that lever is that has to shift right for the main latch to release -- gave me the key to guide a long steel flat bar (didn't have a screw driver long enough to reach through the grill) and eventually hit the lever end successfully. Hallelujah!
Thanks for the video! After watching it I found an easier way to open the hood. If you look at where the T-handle connects you can slip you hand in and just pull it forward. Thanks, again, for the video!
You're welcome, I was looking for this kind of vid when it happened to me. As I watch it again, it's not perfect but it does help a person to understand how it all works.
Just had the same issue with my 2004 Jetta GLI. It took me several hours to get it open but couldn't have done it without your video, so you saved me a trip to the shop, thanks!. FYI for everyone with this issue, you can get the grill off if your cable is not broken and can pop it slightly, use a stiff coat hanger as a hook to pull down the main latch and to release the center tab on the grill.
The demo towards the end of how both the latches work was an excellent idea. I'm having issues opening the first/main latch. Understanding how these works should help diagnose the issue. Thanks!
One of the best things about youtube comments is the added value from people like you, who offer ideas like you describe. Can you elaborate, for people to come?
Many thanks. My lock was rusted shut. I couldn't get to the battery. I left the lights on over night. If it wasn't for your video i would have had to pay several hundred for towing. Thank you. Thank you.
I was exploring this problem last night, trying to figure out what the cable release lever was supposed to do. I was focusing on the top part exclusively: never thought to check the bottom part (insert palm smacking across forehead gesture here.) You've provided real insight into the situation. Thank you.
Thank you. Spent the morning in the garage with a screwdriver and the laptop. got the hood open, lubed everything up and hopefully i'm fine. Thank you again for the great video.
had a shop and a tinkering buddy try, they spent like a half hour trying to get it open. Im not mechanical but watched this video and got it myself, very nice work my friend!!
I was wicked low on oil, but i knew not to drive it once I lost oil pressure around a turn. Thankfully with your tutorial, I was able to get that hood open and add some oil.
May God Bless You! At the zenith of my frustration I considered a sledge hammer to deal with my 2000 Jetta broken hood safety latch but turned to RUclips instead and yours was my second video. I had the same problem as yours but my latch was so badly mangled that it would not retain the proper shape after I fixed it so I did resort to the reciprocating saw. I will be using your screwdriver trick till I can get a new hood module. Once again thanks again for your cool head and great video!
I just had same problem with my daughter's 2002. The safety lever wouldn't release, so it took some doing, but a pair of pliers helped me tug just enough to get it open. Thanks for this video!
you sir, are awesome. Thank you very much for taking the time to upload this video for everyone else. This video helped me... I had the same exact problem you did.. and I was on the verge of calling a tow truck because my battery is dead and I could not get to it. I now have my hood open and am able to replace the battery. I greatly appreciate this video. Thank you again.
This was very helpful fixing mine, I did not have to disassemble anything. My problem was just the movement of the latch after the bonnet release inside the car. The latch was very stick, almost seized and very rusty where the main spring meets the lock. I found that lubricating the latch and spring mechanism with a little carb cleaner released it completely. When that's air dried I will add a little fine machine oil.
When I look at this video in retrospect, it was aimed in a general way so that people with various problems would find solutions. It's nice to know it sometimes helps out.
This video saved us a bunch of trouble! Getting the grille off our 2003 Jetta required pulling out a couple plastic pop rivets, and pulling a couple of other connectors that gave way when pulled gently in the correct direction.
Knowledge is power. Thanks for the power up. I fill a large squeeze bottle with ATF and coat all these latch parts with a few drops on every pin, spring, lever, and moving part. WD40 makes an already stuck problem no better, but ATF will penetrate and help free rusted and stuck parts. PRO TIP: wear gloves and don't get it on your paint or plastic headlight lenses. I go to the junkyard a lot and being able to visualize locking mechanisms is a great help. Thanks. TDI Love from Chicago.
Good points, I've used ATF, too. My favourite lubricant is silicone paste, although it can be hard to find in typical autoparts stores. Amazon have it. Veteran mechanics even use silicone paste for slide pins of brake calipers, although I did have some trouble finding data at high temperatures. Presumably they would have had bad experience with it if high temperatures were a problem. ATF is probably better for coating steel and delaying rust, but I find it tends to thin out over time more than silicone. OEM manufacturers seem to like lithium grease, which is very similar to silicone lube in its tendency to stay put as a blob of grease near a moving joint. I agree, WD40 disappears way too fast unless you want to keep applying it.
I usually don't mention products by name but this red lithium-based high temp bearing Lucas grease gun lube is outstanding; Lucas(tm) RED "N" TACKY GREASE. UPC# 049807100056. I purchased it from my local Wall-big-box store and have used it on brake pin and dry exposed fastener fittings. I am a silicon man too, but this red lithium has got me changing my tune. It says it has anti-seize and rust inhibitors. It does have a little bearing grease smell, but only slight. I bought it because I was installing two new CV or drive axels and the graphite grease that comes with the new axels tends to stiffen up in cold and thin out when hot. This Red grease is smooth and creamy (no I did not eat it) but the package stated that it has a drop point of 540 degF (282 degC). I did not have a grease gun so I just used a long wooden shim to retrieve and pack the grease. You get enough grease on your hands (even with gloves on) and it starts to talk to you. This grease was smooth to the touch even after it was contaminated with under car debris. price was about $5.16 for 14oz. I see Amazon has it too if you can not find it locally. My last word - "WOW!" TDI Love from Chicago
Ha, I've added your suggestion as a favorite on Amazon and I'll give it a try. Funny, I love the smell of gear oil in the morning, ha ha. Toyota have a specialty high temp grease they use for caliper sliders, but I don't think it's lithium based. There are a lot of normal temp applications on the car body where a clean grease that doesn't harden or disappear can be critical. We used to use wheel bearing grease for those, but I was informed that the acid in old style bearing grease can be hard on seals.
Don't take my word for it look at the reviews on Amazon. I just used it to coat the threads on the metal screws for three different VW finder liners. These 11 screws go into 8 plastic pin holders and 3 metal clips. These usually see lots of moisture and winter road salt and end up rusting in place. I will let you know if my results are not as expected, but the install was smooth as silk. TDI Love from Chicago..
Thank you thank you thank you! Awesome. Couldn't open my hood because the t-handle had broken, but your video clearly showed I how I could bypass the safety mechanism. Didn't even need a screwdriver: once the hood is popped open just a little, you can fit your hand under it and flick the hook aside to open it the rest of the way. Would never have known how to if it wasn't for your video!
Thank you very much for posting this! My '00 GTI hood release lever broke off and I thought I would never get the hood open. Your video was a lifesaver!
WOW after two weeks with my hood stuck in only 1 hour i fixed the problem nice work man thank you for showing this video i didnt pay nothing not even a penny
Thank you for this video, this helped my husband and I out tremendously! The part about removing the grill to trigger to the latch from underneath was the ticket!
Thank-you so much. I was so frustrated until I found your video. Coolant was low and I needed to get under that hood desperately! I did it thanks to you!
Superb overview. This allowed me to see what my problem was in putting a new hood on. Understanding how the mechanism works allowed me to see it wasn't lined up right and I was able to fix it thanks to your explanation in this video. Thank you so much!!!
Great video my friend. Many thanks for taking the trouble to put it on the web. It certainly helped me open the wretched hood and gave me an understanding of the levers and springs that comprise that most belligerent of fastenings 😄 I hope these twelve years have treated you well..
mine was so obviously bent that I was able to recognize it without difficulty and bend it back with some vice grip pliers. No heat required, it's thin sheet metal. Glad to hear the result was good, thanks for the update.
Watching this video 6 years later, I am stuck by how amateur my effort was with the camera -- weak audio, hand held camera, awkward explanations. However I did manage to show people important details of how this complex mechanism works, and lighting was adequate. Through the years some people expressed frustration that I didn't offer exact explanations of how to fix their problem, but of course that depends on what is broken. It can be very frustrating, especially if a person is not practiced in mechanical repair. The key is to quickly decide which of the two latches are causing the problem, then pop it open for a closer look. Safety latch, 2:48 as you say; cable latch, remove plastic covers underneath, then reach up from underneath and push the cable release to the side. This is designed to be difficult for security reasons. These hood mechanisms require regular lubrication so that they don't require enough force to bend over the thin sheet metal. Once I knew that, I'd lube the hood latch every time I checked the oil, and we never again had a problem.
Thank you. You got me out of a jam. My problem was rustiness around all the moving parts. Luckily, my grate already had the screws removed so I could semi- pull it off and work the screwdriver in. Very informative video and I liked the added in directions to wait for further instructions in the video. That’s why I previously subscribed to you.
The grill is off and yes that latch is broken off. Thank you for your response! I did try to move that latch but I think I need a longer screwdriver to get to it.
HI, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time and effort to film and upload this video explaining how to resolve this issue that I have been struggling with for several months. It is very clear and concise. Thank you, Ciao, L
Works 100%...i had to bend the little tab on the safety latch then it easily moved...broke the plastic pull tab in the process...its incredibly hard to do if you cant get the grill off...make a note of that.
VicDubya Agreed, thanks for recording your experience here. This is one of those routine maintenance items (silicone spray every year) that nobody tells the client about.
Thank you so much for jogging my memory! My plastic secondary release lever only has one prong to grab on to grab onto the latch mechinism and i had removed the grill and fixed it once betore but it had been so long since i had done it that I forgot and was getting very frustrated Trying to remember what I had done before. I'm just going to get a new release lever now. But thank you for taking the time to make you this video!
You're welcome, I'm glad it helped. Some people just tie a plastic quick-tie to the end to have something to grab, but an OEM device looks more professional when you go to sell the car later.
Very much, Thank you. I pulled the grill on my 04 yesterday to repair the bumper and dropped the hood into latch full position, this morning it won't open. This at least gives me an idea what to visualize.
I'm sure it will help. If you have long arms, you can reach the mechanism from beneath by removing the plastic cover below, then lay on your back and reach up. First you need to decide which of the two latches is holding it down. If the hood is completely closed, it's the one controlled by the cable going to the cab. Try spraying silicone spray inside to get it moving more easily. Good luck!
I know what you mean, I looked for one when mine was stuck, and nothing was there. Once you know how it works the task is usually easy. Thanks for the followup, it's gratifying to learn people still use this little clip.
Thanks for the feedback! WD40 gets me out of trouble frequently. Just remember to add in something long lasting, like lithium grease. Silicone spray or grease works but in my experience, lithium is much better for durability. WD40 acts like a solvent, gone in a few weeks.
Excellent how to video. My problem was the cable from the inside latch broke. I couldn't even get the main latch open. The grill removal was the only way to get full access. Too much work for me and my screw driver phobia.
If you take the plastic cover under the front of the engine off, you might be able to reach the cable end hook from below (if you have long arms like I do). At 3:26 of the video I show the end you want to move with your finger from below. Make sure the engine is cool so the radiator fan can't come on when your arm is up there.
I"m glad it helped, thanks for the feedback. That mechanism needs regular lubrication. Something like motorcycle chain oil or chain wax would probably work fine.
Thanks for your comment. I've found that good light is the strongest factor defining video quality, so I've been working hard to optimize that. The little battery operated lights were on sale at Costco last year.
Great video the first time this happened to me it took forever to open it busting the grill etc. But after you showing the points to press on i had it open in minutes!
Thanks for the reply. You might consider quickly changing your oil and oil filter now. When oil gets really low, you are at risk of sludge forming around the oil filter and elsewhere. A quick unscheduled oil change may help to flush sludge out of critical passages. Good luck!
These hood latch get stuck overtime from being rusted or the lubricant being dried up.And i think with the hood slamming down each time you open it,shifts or bend the locking mechanism.You showed us in detail whats happening nice,cool alien lights lol.
The handle broke Yeah! Thanks Spelunkerd, it realy helped to understand how it goes. Course when everything goes right we seldom pay attention to those details. Now that I have opened it, I can check my oil level and full windshield washer ! Georges
This helped me with my 04 Passat. My secondary was stuck due to lack of lubrication. I fished a coat hanger through a hole in the latch and pulled it over. The Passat safety latch had a small hole that I was able to get the wire from the hanger through.
Good idea, I hope your note helps others who might visit. Designing these latches is a balance, since the engineers don't want it to be easy for thieves to get open.
On reading your note, it sounds like your problem was similar to mine, the safety latch was seized and now broken off. At 2:56 I show how I got my safety latch open, by sliding a long screwdriver all the way to the back and prying up on the lever that opens the safety latch that last bit. That lever in the back is made of sheet metal and it will bend if forced, and I had to bend mine back after got it open.
I'm glad, Sarah. Thanks for the feedback! After it's open, be sure to lubricate it well to try and prevent this from happening again. A lithium or silicone grease would be reasonable -- they are cleaner than oil based grease. Be sure to lube the steel bar that attaches to the underside of the hood as well, so that it slides well in the latch.
great to see what the lock was like before i went to work on it thanks for all the help and going to trouble to put this video up on Utube. would have struggled otherwise
I hope it works for you. If prying doesn't work and if the problem is the main latch, you can reach it by lying under the vehicle and reaching up with a long arm. Press the cable attachment point to the drivers side and it should release. To do that you might have to remove some plastic covers under the engine. Another option is to lubricate the point where the hood contacts the latch with some spray silicone. It might just be a friction problem.
Can't thank you enough for your video - latch to my wife's 2004 Jetta wagon was corroded shut, so your advice worked like a charm. You are correct in that when the hood is down, you have no idea how the latch works - your explanation was highly informative. Thanks again
Thanks for your remark. This is the second time I've had problems with his latch, so the video is partly for me, to use if I have to fix it again, ha ha.
Lift the grill up and it slips out of the bottom clips. There are studs sticking down from the gill that fit into holes below. I couldn't show that very well on mine, because the previous owner had broken those clips. Once the bottom slips up and out, you can slide the top of the grill down and then the whole grill slides out.
Yes, that's a sensor to tell the driver that all doors are locked when he hits the remote lock button. If you read the video description I describe that little sensor in more detail. In your case I would start with cleaning and lubricating the mechanism. To clean I use WD 40, but after cleaning I use a silicone lube to get lasting lubrication that won't wash or evaporate away. Hopefully nothing is bent and frozen. After you get it moving, the mechanism will be more clear.
Thank You! It is 1 degree outside and I tried to start my car....and the battery was dead....and so I went to pop the hood to put the charger on it....and the latch on the outside came off in my hand....UGH! Your video made it easier for me to get things back on track for the day! :) Now Subscribing... Thanks Again! :)
omg I hate this latch it's the second time mine has broken and we can't get the hood open >.> my husband and I pried at it with a screwdriver for like 30 minutes but it's really hard to see what you're doing when the hood is closed. Thanks so much, I know the vw dealership would charge a ton to do this.
Great video, thank you so much, my cable was fine but the latch was rusted, I remove the VW logo and was able to lift the safety latch, WD-40 everything and voilà. All that so I can put some windshield washer fluid back. I will apply lithium grease back. Thank you all.
@spelunkerd well first of all, the handle broke on me so i was left with a shut hood (my car was leaking water due to a ripped hose aswell) so i decided to skip taking the grill off and went ahead and grabbed this "screwdriver" with a hook end i found in an old tool box, i went ahead and reached for the wire thru the grill panels and yanked it right out, now i have access to my hood all i do is reach for that wire which sits right behind my grill and pull it when i need access to my engine.
Thank You So So Much for this informational Video‼You really helped me open my hood up. My hood notch broke off smh. Terrible design from Volkswagen. But Big Ups to you again 💯💯💯🙏🏼🙌🙌🙌🙌
Good for you! Many are frustrated that the task requires more mechanical skill and patience than they are prepared to commit. For those people there is nothing wrong with the option to hire a pro to get the job done without fuss. This lock is designed to be difficult even when the lock works properly, to discourage theft.
Mine was held fast by a simple generic plastic zip tie that I just cut and later replaced. I'm not sure if the vehicle came that way originally or whether that was the way it was made. A zip tie is a good option because you want to be able to remove it easily with limited access.
After struggling with my car to change out the clutch, get her all put back together and the oil light comes on during the test drive. BAM- hood won't open. I was at wits end with trying to figure out how to get it open and NONE of the forums could help. Your video saved the day!! Thank you so much for this!! I needed to figure out how to pop the hood so that I could release the safety latch, and you are the only person who touched upon it. This video is AMAZING and super informative.
I don't know if you're still looking at the comments on this video but you are the best. I have problem with my main latch so I will try to gain access through the bottom tomorrow and see how it goes. THANK YOU
What a kind remark. thank you. It was a good idea to plan it for a day when you have some time and you aren't pressured by time and light. Very frustrating otherwise, ha ha.
I should say: my car is a 2000 VW Jetta [MK4], so this info worked great for me.
Thank you for putting this together. While there was no way I was going to be able to get the grill off with the hood latched tight, your explicit documentation from several angles of how the latch operates -- and where the end of that lever is that has to shift right for the main latch to release -- gave me the key to guide a long steel flat bar (didn't have a screw driver long enough to reach through the grill) and eventually hit the lever end successfully. Hallelujah!
Jeffrey Floor I'm glad it helped, thanks for the feedback.
Thanks for the video! After watching it I found an easier way to open the hood. If you look at where the T-handle connects you can slip you hand in and just pull it forward. Thanks, again, for the video!
You're welcome, I was looking for this kind of vid when it happened to me. As I watch it again, it's not perfect but it does help a person to understand how it all works.
Hey, thanks for updating this with your experience. As you know, this helps others!
Just had the same issue with my 2004 Jetta GLI. It took me several hours to get it open but couldn't have done it without your video, so you saved me a trip to the shop, thanks!. FYI for everyone with this issue, you can get the grill off if your cable is not broken and can pop it slightly, use a stiff coat hanger as a hook to pull down the main latch and to release the center tab on the grill.
Thanks for describing your experience here. Remarks like yours certainly help others who stop by.
The demo towards the end of how both the latches work was an excellent idea. I'm having issues opening the first/main latch. Understanding how these works should help diagnose the issue. Thanks!
One of the best things about youtube comments is the added value from people like you, who offer ideas like you describe. Can you elaborate, for people to come?
Many thanks. My lock was rusted shut. I couldn't get to the battery. I left the lights on over night. If it wasn't for your video i would have had to pay several hundred for towing. Thank you. Thank you.
I was exploring this problem last night, trying to figure out what the cable release lever was supposed to do. I was focusing on the top part exclusively: never thought to check the bottom part (insert palm smacking across forehead gesture here.)
You've provided real insight into the situation. Thank you.
Thank you. Spent the morning in the garage with a screwdriver and the laptop.
got the hood open, lubed everything up and hopefully i'm fine. Thank you again for the great video.
Hey man, my pleasure. Thanks for the feedback!
had a shop and a tinkering buddy try, they spent like a half hour trying to get it open. Im not mechanical but watched this video and got it myself, very nice work my friend!!
Thanks for the video. My hood was stuck shut and seeing how the mechanism works helped me figure out how to open it.
I was wicked low on oil, but i knew not to drive it once I lost oil pressure around a turn. Thankfully with your tutorial, I was able to get that hood open and add some oil.
You star! Latch was stuck on my 01 Passat Estate and I couldn't figure out how to free it - this showed me how. Thank you!
May God Bless You! At the zenith of my frustration I considered a sledge hammer to deal with my 2000 Jetta broken hood safety latch but turned to RUclips instead and yours was my second video. I had the same problem as yours but my latch was so badly mangled that it would not retain the proper shape after I fixed it so I did resort to the reciprocating saw. I will be using your screwdriver trick till I can get a new hood module. Once again thanks again for your cool head and great video!
What a great remark to find on this new years day. Thanks!
I just had same problem with my daughter's 2002. The safety lever wouldn't release, so it took some doing, but a pair of pliers helped me tug just enough to get it open. Thanks for this video!
you sir, are awesome. Thank you very much for taking the time to upload this video for everyone else. This video helped me... I had the same exact problem you did.. and I was on the verge of calling a tow truck because my battery is dead and I could not get to it. I now have my hood open and am able to replace the battery. I greatly appreciate this video. Thank you again.
Comments don't get any better than that. Thanks for the feedback!
Nice thorough explanation. Just know that today, you are, once again, a hero
This guy deserves a medal.
Remembered this video from years ago -- glad I could find it, its just as helpful as it was then -- Thanks!!
I'm glad it helped. Most people come here after a Google search, and it's cool to find somebody who saw it before.
This was very helpful fixing mine, I did not have to disassemble anything. My problem was just the movement of the latch after the bonnet release inside the car. The latch was very stick, almost seized and very rusty where the main spring meets the lock. I found that lubricating the latch and spring mechanism with a little carb cleaner released it completely. When that's air dried I will add a little fine machine oil.
Perfect, got it open in 40 seconds. Bare handed. Now I can get any mk4 hood open. Subbed. Many thanks...
Thanks, brother.
When I look at this video in retrospect, it was aimed in a general way so that people with various problems would find solutions. It's nice to know it sometimes helps out.
Jeez man you probably just saved me a couple hundred bucks I owe you big, I tried this for like 5 minutes and got my hood open!
This video saved us a bunch of trouble! Getting the grille off our 2003 Jetta required pulling out a couple plastic pop rivets, and pulling a couple of other connectors that gave way when pulled gently in the correct direction.
Knowledge is power. Thanks for the power up. I fill a large squeeze bottle with ATF and coat all these latch parts with a few drops on every pin, spring, lever, and moving part. WD40 makes an already stuck problem no better, but ATF will penetrate and help free rusted and stuck parts. PRO TIP: wear gloves and don't get it on your paint or plastic headlight lenses. I go to the junkyard a lot and being able to visualize locking mechanisms is a great help. Thanks.
TDI Love from Chicago.
Good points, I've used ATF, too. My favourite lubricant is silicone paste, although it can be hard to find in typical autoparts stores. Amazon have it. Veteran mechanics even use silicone paste for slide pins of brake calipers, although I did have some trouble finding data at high temperatures. Presumably they would have had bad experience with it if high temperatures were a problem. ATF is probably better for coating steel and delaying rust, but I find it tends to thin out over time more than silicone. OEM manufacturers seem to like lithium grease, which is very similar to silicone lube in its tendency to stay put as a blob of grease near a moving joint. I agree, WD40 disappears way too fast unless you want to keep applying it.
I usually don't mention products by name but this red lithium-based high temp bearing Lucas grease gun lube is outstanding; Lucas(tm) RED "N" TACKY GREASE. UPC# 049807100056. I purchased it from my local Wall-big-box store and have used it on brake pin and dry exposed fastener fittings. I am a silicon man too, but this red lithium has got me changing my tune. It says it has anti-seize and rust inhibitors. It does have a little bearing grease smell, but only slight. I bought it because I was installing two new CV or drive axels and the graphite grease that comes with the new axels tends to stiffen up in cold and thin out when hot. This Red grease is smooth and creamy (no I did not eat it) but the package stated that it has a drop point of 540 degF (282 degC). I did not have a grease gun so I just used a long wooden shim to retrieve and pack the grease. You get enough grease on your hands (even with gloves on) and it starts to talk to you. This grease was smooth to the touch even after it was contaminated with under car debris. price was about $5.16 for 14oz. I see Amazon has it too if you can not find it locally. My last word - "WOW!"
TDI Love from Chicago
Ha, I've added your suggestion as a favorite on Amazon and I'll give it a try. Funny, I love the smell of gear oil in the morning, ha ha. Toyota have a specialty high temp grease they use for caliper sliders, but I don't think it's lithium based. There are a lot of normal temp applications on the car body where a clean grease that doesn't harden or disappear can be critical. We used to use wheel bearing grease for those, but I was informed that the acid in old style bearing grease can be hard on seals.
Don't take my word for it look at the reviews on Amazon. I just used it to coat the threads on the metal screws for three different VW finder liners. These 11 screws go into 8 plastic pin holders and 3 metal clips. These usually see lots of moisture and winter road salt and end up rusting in place. I will let you know if my results are not as expected, but the install was smooth as silk.
TDI Love from Chicago..
Thank you thank you thank you! Awesome. Couldn't open my hood because the t-handle had broken, but your video clearly showed I how I could bypass the safety mechanism. Didn't even need a screwdriver: once the hood is popped open just a little, you can fit your hand under it and flick the hook aside to open it the rest of the way. Would never have known how to if it wasn't for your video!
Thank you very much for posting this! My '00 GTI hood release lever broke off and I thought I would never get the hood open. Your video was a lifesaver!
You're welcome, thanks for the feedback.
WOW after two weeks with my hood stuck
in only 1 hour i fixed the problem
nice work man thank you for showing this video
i didnt pay nothing not even a penny
Thank you for this video, this helped my husband and I out tremendously! The part about removing the grill to trigger to the latch from underneath was the ticket!
Thank-you so much. I was so frustrated until I found your video. Coolant was low and I needed to get under that hood desperately! I did it thanks to you!
Thanks! After accidently slamming my hood, the safety latch wouldn't open. Your video saved the day!
Superb overview. This allowed me to see what my problem was in putting a new hood on. Understanding how the mechanism works allowed me to see it wasn't lined up right and I was able to fix it thanks to your explanation in this video. Thank you so much!!!
Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad it helped.
Great video my friend. Many thanks for taking the trouble to put it on the web. It certainly helped me open the wretched hood and gave me an understanding of the levers and springs that comprise that most belligerent of fastenings 😄 I hope these twelve years have treated you well..
mine was so obviously bent that I was able to recognize it without difficulty and bend it back with some vice grip pliers. No heat required, it's thin sheet metal. Glad to hear the result was good, thanks for the update.
Watching this video 6 years later, I am stuck by how amateur my effort was with the camera -- weak audio, hand held camera, awkward explanations. However I did manage to show people important details of how this complex mechanism works, and lighting was adequate. Through the years some people expressed frustration that I didn't offer exact explanations of how to fix their problem, but of course that depends on what is broken. It can be very frustrating, especially if a person is not practiced in mechanical repair. The key is to quickly decide which of the two latches are causing the problem, then pop it open for a closer look. Safety latch, 2:48 as you say; cable latch, remove plastic covers underneath, then reach up from underneath and push the cable release to the side. This is designed to be difficult for security reasons. These hood mechanisms require regular lubrication so that they don't require enough force to bend over the thin sheet metal. Once I knew that, I'd lube the hood latch every time I checked the oil, and we never again had a problem.
9 years later and your kick ass video is still helping us ✅
Thank you. You got me out of a jam. My problem was rustiness around all the moving parts. Luckily, my grate already had the screws removed so I could semi- pull it off and work the screwdriver in. Very informative video and I liked the added in directions to wait for further instructions in the video. That’s why I previously subscribed to you.
The grill is off and yes that latch is broken off. Thank you for your response! I did try to move that latch but I think I need a longer screwdriver to get to it.
HI, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time and effort to film and upload this video explaining how to resolve this issue that I have been struggling with for several months. It is very clear and concise.
Thank you,
Ciao, L
Works 100%...i had to bend the little tab on the safety latch then it easily moved...broke the plastic pull tab in the process...its incredibly hard to do if you cant get the grill off...make a note of that.
VicDubya Agreed, thanks for recording your experience here. This is one of those routine maintenance items (silicone spray every year) that nobody tells the client about.
Thank you so much for jogging my memory! My plastic secondary release lever only has one prong to grab on to grab onto the latch mechinism and i had removed the grill and fixed it once betore but it had been so long since i had done it that I forgot and was getting very frustrated Trying to remember what I had done before. I'm just going to get a new release lever now.
But thank you for taking the time to make you this video!
You're welcome, I'm glad it helped. Some people just tie a plastic quick-tie to the end to have something to grab, but an OEM device looks more professional when you go to sell the car later.
Very much, Thank you. I pulled the grill on my 04 yesterday to repair the bumper and dropped the hood into latch full position, this morning it won't open. This at least gives me an idea what to visualize.
I'm sure it will help. If you have long arms, you can reach the mechanism from beneath by removing the plastic cover below, then lay on your back and reach up. First you need to decide which of the two latches is holding it down. If the hood is completely closed, it's the one controlled by the cable going to the cab. Try spraying silicone spray inside to get it moving more easily. Good luck!
This video was perfect! Thank you so much for walking me through the steps.
I know what you mean, I looked for one when mine was stuck, and nothing was there. Once you know how it works the task is usually easy. Thanks for the followup, it's gratifying to learn people still use this little clip.
spelunkerd thank you for posting this, it allowed me to help a co worker open his VW hood from under the car.
Thanks for the followup!
Thank you my friend, this helped a great deal. My problem was solved with WD40, but I wouldn't have arrived at that conclusion without your help.
Thanks for the feedback! WD40 gets me out of trouble frequently. Just remember to add in something long lasting, like lithium grease. Silicone spray or grease works but in my experience, lithium is much better for durability. WD40 acts like a solvent, gone in a few weeks.
I did apply lithium grease as soon as I got home. Thanks again
thank you helped out a lot even the vdub mechanic couldn't get it open this quick
Excellent how to video. My problem was the cable from the inside latch broke. I couldn't even get the main latch open. The grill removal was the only way to get full access. Too much work for me and my screw driver phobia.
If you take the plastic cover under the front of the engine off, you might be able to reach the cable end hook from below (if you have long arms like I do). At 3:26 of the video I show the end you want to move with your finger from below. Make sure the engine is cool so the radiator fan can't come on when your arm is up there.
I"m glad it helped, thanks for the feedback. That mechanism needs regular lubrication. Something like motorcycle chain oil or chain wax would probably work fine.
Thanks for your comment. I've found that good light is the strongest factor defining video quality, so I've been working hard to optimize that. The little battery operated lights were on sale at Costco last year.
Great video the first time this happened to me it took forever to open it busting the grill etc. But after you showing the points to press on i had it open in minutes!
I'm glad it helped, thanks for the feedback.
Thanks for the reply. You might consider quickly changing your oil and oil filter now. When oil gets really low, you are at risk of sludge forming around the oil filter and elsewhere. A quick unscheduled oil change may help to flush sludge out of critical passages. Good luck!
thanks! helped me. bonnet decided not to open two mins before a potential buyer was to turn up
These hood latch get stuck overtime from being rusted or the lubricant being dried up.And i think with the hood slamming down each time you open it,shifts or bend the locking mechanism.You showed us in detail whats happening nice,cool alien lights lol.
The handle broke Yeah! Thanks Spelunkerd, it realy helped to understand how it goes. Course when everything goes right we seldom pay attention to those details. Now that I have opened it, I can check my oil level and full windshield washer ! Georges
thank you, video helped a lot, especially with regards to explaining the mechanism of the latch. Now I can do my on call this weekend!
I'm glad it helped. My sympathies about doing call -- I used to wear a ball-and-chain pager. No more, thank goodness.
This helped me with my 04 Passat. My secondary was stuck due to lack of lubrication. I fished a coat hanger through a hole in the latch and pulled it over. The Passat safety latch had a small hole that I was able to get the wire from the hanger through.
Good idea, I hope your note helps others who might visit. Designing these latches is a balance, since the engineers don't want it to be easy for thieves to get open.
On reading your note, it sounds like your problem was similar to mine, the safety latch was seized and now broken off. At 2:56 I show how I got my safety latch open, by sliding a long screwdriver all the way to the back and prying up on the lever that opens the safety latch that last bit. That lever in the back is made of sheet metal and it will bend if forced, and I had to bend mine back after got it open.
I'm glad, Sarah. Thanks for the feedback!
After it's open, be sure to lubricate it well to try and prevent this from happening again. A lithium or silicone grease would be reasonable -- they are cleaner than oil based grease. Be sure to lube the steel bar that attaches to the underside of the hood as well, so that it slides well in the latch.
Thank you for taking your time to show this! Let the Auto dealers eat it up! Thanks again!!
great to see what the lock was like before i went to work on it thanks for all the help and going to trouble to put this video up on Utube. would have struggled otherwise
I hope it works for you. If prying doesn't work and if the problem is the main latch, you can reach it by lying under the vehicle and reaching up with a long arm. Press the cable attachment point to the drivers side and it should release. To do that you might have to remove some plastic covers under the engine. Another option is to lubricate the point where the hood contacts the latch with some spray silicone. It might just be a friction problem.
AWESOME video. I watched this and it is exactly what I needed to see.
Thank you for making this kind of videos you help a lot of people thank you
Thank you for this. My cable came loose and this helped me
Can't thank you enough for your video - latch to my wife's 2004 Jetta wagon was corroded shut, so your advice worked like a charm. You are correct in that when the hood is down, you have no idea how the latch works - your explanation was highly informative. Thanks again
great useful video 👌
Thanks for posting this helpful video.
You're welcome, I'm glad it helped.
Thanks for your remark. This is the second time I've had problems with his latch, so the video is partly for me, to use if I have to fix it again, ha ha.
saved a bunch of money with the video thank you sir
It’s Nov 2020, watching it, very very helpful
Lift the grill up and it slips out of the bottom clips. There are studs sticking down from the gill that fit into holes below. I couldn't show that very well on mine, because the previous owner had broken those clips. Once the bottom slips up and out, you can slide the top of the grill down and then the whole grill slides out.
Yes, that's a sensor to tell the driver that all doors are locked when he hits the remote lock button. If you read the video description I describe that little sensor in more detail.
In your case I would start with cleaning and lubricating the mechanism. To clean I use WD 40, but after cleaning I use a silicone lube to get lasting lubrication that won't wash or evaporate away. Hopefully nothing is bent and frozen. After you get it moving, the mechanism will be more clear.
Thank you for this video,my problem with the safety latch is solved.
You're welcome, thank you for the feedback.
Oh man it worked thanks. I have to do this every time though so ill just order a new mechanism thank you. I almost ended up cutting it.
This is brilliant !Thanks for the video, great to understand how the latch works and access the levers !!
Thank You! It is 1 degree outside and I tried to start my car....and the battery was dead....and so I went to pop the hood to put the charger on it....and the latch on the outside came off in my hand....UGH!
Your video made it easier for me to get things back on track for the day! :)
Now Subscribing... Thanks Again! :)
Hey, thanks for the sub. My son just sold his car, so I'm afraid I won't have any more videos of this particular vehicle.
Thanks you so much for this video! I was so aggravated my hood wasn't opening
good vid man thanks . i know nothing about cars and it helped me get the bonnet of my brothers vw golf mkIV open
Thanks!
Just got my gti hood open thanks to this. Great video man!!
Hey, thanks!
NICE!!!
Charles Mimran
Thank you.
Thanks to this guy I was finally able to open my hood ❤️😊😩
Good for you, it is not easy even with a video to show you what it looks like. So frustrating, I remember the feeling.... Thanks for the feedback!
omg I hate this latch it's the second time mine has broken and we can't get the hood open >.>
my husband and I pried at it with a screwdriver for like 30 minutes but it's really hard to see what you're doing when the hood is closed.
Thanks so much, I know the vw dealership would charge a ton to do this.
Great Video and a Life Saver!! Very Detailed , Very Detailed and so it was very helpful , INDEED!! Thanks a Lot!!!!!
I'm glad it helped, thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the feedback, it helps to record others experience here.
thank for the vid, Hood got stuck and with the vid opened it in less than a minute flat,
Thanks for you time in doing this.
Very well explained and well lit.
Logical thinking.
Thanks.
You sir are awesome! What a helpful and concise video!
Great video, thank you so much, my cable was fine but the latch was rusted, I remove the VW logo and was able to lift the safety latch, WD-40 everything and voilà. All that so I can put some windshield washer fluid back. I will apply lithium grease back. Thank you all.
Excellent, I'm glad to hear it, thanks for recording your experience.
@spelunkerd well first of all, the handle broke on me so i was left with a shut hood (my car was leaking water due to a ripped hose aswell) so i decided to skip taking the grill off and went ahead and grabbed this "screwdriver" with a hook end i found in an old tool box, i went ahead and reached for the wire thru the grill panels and yanked it right out, now i have access to my hood all i do is reach for that wire which sits right behind my grill and pull it when i need access to my engine.
Thanks for the feedback, Matt. Comments don't get any better than that.
Thank You So So Much for this informational Video‼You really helped me open my hood up. My hood notch broke off smh. Terrible design from Volkswagen. But Big Ups to you again 💯💯💯🙏🏼🙌🙌🙌🙌
You're welcome!
Is it really so bad? At least you can get to it without having to do too much to the car
This was incredibly helpful - thank you for doing this.
Great video. Helped me break into mine this morning.
Good for you! Many are frustrated that the task requires more mechanical
skill and patience than they are prepared to commit. For those people
there is nothing wrong with the option to hire a pro to get the job done
without fuss. This lock is designed to be difficult even when the lock
works properly, to discourage theft.
I'm glad it worked for you, thanks for your contribution.
Thanks for recording your experience here.
Excellent video for a common problem !
+Neil Barker Thanks.
Mine was held fast by a simple generic plastic zip tie that I just cut and later replaced. I'm not sure if the vehicle came that way originally or whether that was the way it was made. A zip tie is a good option because you want to be able to remove it easily with limited access.
Thanks... It did work for me. Gracias amigo!
Guadalajara, Mexico.
I'm glad it helped, thanks for the followup.