High Hood Release Effort

Some customers may comment the hood release requires excessive effort to operate.

The 1st design cable is longer and routed in an indirect path to the latch assembly making the hood release difficult to operate.

Install the 2nd design cable which has been shortened and the routing path changed to be more direct.

1. Open Hood.
2. Remove front grille insert.



3. Disengage latch spring from core support.
4. Rotate latch spring and disengage cable.



5. Remove cable retaining clip from core support.
6. Remove cable from core support.



7. Remove underhood seal.



8. Remove lower I/P closeout panel (hush panel) push retainers.
9. Slide I/P closeout panel (hush panel) forward and down to remove.



10. Unsnap hood release handle from instrument panel bracket by using two small screwdrivers to disengage retainer clip on both sides.



11. Slide hood release handle forward and down.
12. Lift cowl screen and push grommets through front of dash using a flat bladed tool.
13. Remove hood release cable from vehicle.
14. Partially install hood release cable through front of dash.
15. Lift cowl screen and pull cable until the grommet is accessible through the front of dash.
16. Grasp the top of the grommet and pull until the grommet is fully seated.

Important: If there was a clear sealer around the original grommet, make sure the area is clean and dry. Reapply the sealer around the grommet using KENT Industries High Tech Clear Seam Sealer (P/N 10200) or equivalent.

17. Route the hood release cable behind the coolant reservoir.

Important: The hood release cable is no longer routed through the left hand pass-thru in the core support.

18. Insert the hood release cable through the oval core support pass-thru closes to the attaching clip mounting location only.
19. Center the tape band on the cable at the core support attaching clip mounting location and install clip.



20. Connect cable to hood latch spring.
21. Engage spring in core support.
22. Insure cowl screen is properly seated and install under hood rear seal.
23. Install grille insert.



24. Snap hood release handle to instrument panel.



25. Install lower I/P closeout panel (hush panel) and push retainers.
26. Verify proper operation of hood release cable.

To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System using the appropriate Electronic Labor Time Guide and Labor Operation Code B1630 (Cable, Hood Latch -- R or Replace).

Important: If the use of clear seam sealer is requires and claimed, sell the sealer to the Customer Service Order (CSO) as material using net item code "M". Claims exceeding the material amount $1.63 ($1.25 retailer cost plus 30%) will be returned with reason 143 - material amount greater than maximum allowed.