Hey there.

I just bought an '81 300D after years of coveting. I'd noticed that the hood release wasn't working quite right, but was worried more about doing a much needed oil and air filter change. Stupid!

I closed the hood last night, perhaps too hard. I'd noticed that it wasn't completely flat and so pushed it down to level it.

Now my inner handle appears to do nothing. It feels like there's less cable tension than before.

I checked out a bunch of other threads on this issue but my unfamilarity with the car is impeding my comprehension.

Should I / can I
- disassemble the interior handle and pull the cable with vise grips?
- open the hood exclusively via a coat hanger / screwdriver through the grille? If so, does anyone have or know of a photograph or diagram showing the mechanism so I understand what I'm seeing?
- or something else?


I'll definitely be lubing the mechanism as soon as I get it open!

Search and you will find a recent thread where a member was able to access the latches through the grill with a screwdriver used to apply pressure and push them open.

As a fail safe I put a pull cord from both hood latches that extends under the car. If mine fails I can lay under there and pull the cords to move the latches and pop the hood. I have also run a pull cord from the trunk latch to inside the passenger compartment for when the push button there fails.

Yeah, I worry too much.

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Pictures of the MB: http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee41/EricandRobyn/1981%20Mercedes/

1981 300 SD with a Goldenrod water block and Injetor line heaters. EGR is missing

1999 F-350 with HP X-over, Dahl 100 Fuel Filter, Coolant by-pass filter, CCV mod, Tymar intake.

Both on single tank WVO blend

I had the same problem. Though my grill was old and spray painted gold by the P/O I ripped it out and opened it etc etc new cable new grill..

You can unbolt the handle on the inside, which will allow access so you can pull on cable to pop the first release. If you are able to reach the gray safety handle in grille, strap, after that your good. If not, the coat hang wire will help. If the cable has a problem of some sort other than just too much slack, not sure what to do....Firemedi...etc, the 123's have only a single release. I have removed the inside handle and strap with pin and clip for someone, they have yet to claim, i.e. pay me for them, available. Once you get it all straightened out, lube with PB blaster vs. WD-40 which contains a drying agent, and will, guess what? that's right, dry out. Good luck.

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83 SD

84 CD

I may take you up on that. The front grille handle is actually missing, but advantageously, the PO replaced with a long strand of copper wire which is always reachable.

Is it possible to trigger the interior cable release from the outside, or is disassembling and pulling the cable directly the only way?

I don't think so, anti theft, I imagine. Does the interior handle function at all? Otherwise remove two bolts, etc. etc.

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83 SD

84 CD

The interior handle pulls, but it doesn't appear to do anything--the hood is sealed down, and there's not the slightest movement in it when I pull the release.

I don't think the problem's with the pull in the grille, since I can feel that working right. So I guess I'm going to have to take the interior release apart...

just a possibility, my 85 D has weak springs, and when you pull the handle, nothing happens.
have someone else pull the handle, and try lifting the hood.
it worked for me.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!