Service Manual Update - Hood Opening Procedure for Inoperative Hood Latch

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a procedure for opening the hood on the Saturn VUE and ION vehicles should the hood latch release cable mechanism become inoperative.

The SI website will be updated immediately and future Service Stall System SI CD releases will include this and other Service Manual updates.

VUE Hood Opening Procedure

1. Modify the Saturn radio antenna by bending the antenna mast 1 in. (2.54 cm) above the antenna base to a 25 degree angle.



2. Open hood of similar vehicle to locate hood latch release cable to hood latch attachment point.



3. Using modified antenna, note approximate location that antenna will have to enter in between fascia and hood to access the hood latch cable attachment point. This should be toward the left edge of the Saturn emblem. Also note position of the modified antenna base. It should be angled downward.

Notice: Use protective tape on the hood and fascia where the antenna will be inserted to protect the surfaces from scratches.

4. On vehicle with inoperative latch, insert antenna between hood and fascia and depress the hood latch cable until the hood is opened.
5. Diagnose faulty component and repair or replace component.
6. Remove protective tape.

ION Hood Opening Procedure

Caution: To avoid any vehicle damage, serious personal injury or death when major components are removed from the vehicle and a hoist supports the vehicle, support the vehicle with jack stands at the opposite end from which the components are being removed.

1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Locate bottom of hood latch assembly.



3. Push hood latch lever at cable attachment point to the driver side about ½ in. (1.27 cm).
4. Lower vehicle and raise hood.
5. Diagnose faulty component and repair or replace component.

To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System for one of the following operations:

A modified antenna is to be used as a special tool to assist with opening the VUE hood if the hood latch cable becomes inoperative. If your retail facility does not have a scrap antenna in your service department, you may submit for one antenna (P/N 21024561) on the first bulletin repair performed as a Net Item (type code M). The antenna can be reused multiple times. The ION does not require a special tool to open the hood.