Quick answer. The owner of this 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio was due for an oil change, but the hood would not open. Our tech came to the house and found two problems. The hood release cable was stretched, and the plastic release lever was broken. He replaced the cable and got the hood working again. The bill was $452.25.
Key Points
- The hood would not pop on oil change day.
- The release cable was stretched.
- The plastic release lever inside the car was broken.
- Our tech fixed it at the owner's house.
- Total cost was $452.25.
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A Hood That Would Not Open
The message came in through our website. The owner was due for an oil change that day. They pulled the hood release and nothing happened.
No hood, no oil change. You cannot check fluids, jump a battery or fix anything up front with the hood shut.
The owner wanted it fast. Our tech went to the house.
What Our Tech Found
Two things were wrong. The cable that runs from the lever to the latch had stretched. And the plastic lever you pull inside the car was broken.
A stretched cable does not pull far enough to let the latch go. A broken lever cannot pull the cable at all. Either one can leave a hood stuck shut.
The Fix
The hood had to be opened safely first. Then the old cable came out and a new one went in, with new grommets and clips to hold it in place.
2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, October 24
Came in with: a hood that would not open.
Our tech found: a stretched release cable and a broken plastic lever.
Done: new hood release cable, grommets and clips.
Cost: $452.25.
What It Cost
One hour of diagnosis at $150. An hour and a half to replace the cable at $150 an hour. The cable was $65.25 and the grommets and clips were $12. $452.25 in all.
The job ran on Shop Desk, the software our shop built. The owner could see the finding and the price before the work went ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why will my hood not open when I pull the release?
Most of the time it is the cable or the lever. A stretched cable does not pull far enough, and a broken lever cannot pull at all. On this Stelvio it was both.
Can a mobile mechanic fix a hood release?
Yes. Our tech did this one at the owner's house.
How much does a hood release cable repair cost?
This one was $452.25 with diagnosis, labor, the cable and clips. Your car may be different.
Should I force my hood open?
No. Prying on it can bend the hood or break the latch. Have a mechanic open it the right way.
Supercanic tip: If your hood release starts to feel loose or takes a hard pull, get the cable checked before it fails. Call us at (951) 904-2477.
Hood Stuck Shut?
We come to you and get it open the right way.
